Dear Marshall, Thank you for the correction about Wg Cdr Clarence D'Lima Marg. The info was given to me by his first-cousin who I guess is also on this list. I referred to John Lobo in my Feb 28 piece (should be available in Goanet archives) -- and how he carried Morarji Desai and son Kantibhai in his arms to safety.
Last Sunday, if you noticed, I was exclusively on Goans who died in service in the Indian Airforce. Next Sunday's piece will also be on the IAF exclusively. I will then come to Goans in the army and navy. No Goan studying the subject could ever miss Maj Gen Eustace W Fernandes. What you say is true, he was days away from assuming charge of the Northern Command as a Lt Gen, but since he had nothing else to do in Delhi, decided to inspect the arms, explosives and IEDs seized from Pak-trained terrorists in J&K. But that apart, one cannot say with any certainty that he was "tipped to take over as Chief of the Army Staff" -- maybe he stood a chance -- but then other considerations (and don't forget the political !) play a part in the appointment to the top job. Regards, v On Wed, Apr 21, 2010 at 9:44 PM, Marshall Mendonza <[email protected]>wrote: > > A small correction. The name of Irwin Road was changed to Pundita Ramabai > Road a very long time ago. A small by-lane leading to Irwin Road(old name) > was named after Wg Cdr Clarence D’Lima. Incidentally, John Lobo, CBI > Director was also on this flight but survived the crash. > > You may have missed another name that of Maj Gen Eustace Fernandes who died > in J & K when an ammunition dump exploded. He was rated very high and was > to > be promoted as Lt Gen to head the Northern Command and tipped to take over > subsequently as Chief of the Army Staff. > > Regards, > > > > Marshall >
