Diary: Warriors for life

The Indian Air Force station at Tambaram in Chennai was a dream destination for me. A chance to visit the station had eluded me for years even though I used to stay near it for two years watching the sorties and difficult maneuvers by trainee aircraft on a daily basis. To me the IAF meant speed, power and youthfulness.

The much-awaited call to visit the station came on an unexpected day - to cover the 30th anniversary celebrations of the Tamil Nadu branch of the Air Force Association (AFA) on Saturday (Sept 25).

I found myself being seated well in advance at the Roopvani Auditorium on the IAF premises. But, instead of the speed, power and youthfulness, I was encountering the stark reality called time.

I was the only youngster in the auditorium (though a few young journalists came later), and the rest were all retired IAF men.

As the day turned grey, the retired air warriors - who had soared to the skies and protected the country with great valour - walked around slowly meeting one another after a long gap.

While the veterans smiled and talked, I sat with grave thoughts: They protected us in their youth, and now at the advanced stage of their lives they had to protect themselves. What else could the Air Force Association, which was formed for retired IAF men on September 15, 1980, mean?

Once a warrior, you are a warrior for ever. You have to continue to wage wars to get what is due to you.

Pension is the most important issue the retired men face. They don't get the rightful amount due to lack of awareness as well as the failure on the part of the authorities.

And they have found a solution to the issue in the form of a ready reckoner titled A Guide to Air Force Pensioners. The book, written by M Arivarasu, deals with various pension revisions over the years and helps the pensioner find out his rightful amount. Chief guest Air Marshal P V Athawale, Air Officer Commanding-in Chief, Maintenance Command, released the book on the occasion.

Like pension, health also is another issue for the ageing war veterans. After relentless efforts, they made the Central Government sanction six new ECHS (Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme) polyclinics in Tamil Nadu. One of the polyclinics would be set up at Tambaram, association state president Air Marshal S Raghavan said.

Volunteers, who are retired IAF men, take care of the association's day-to-day activities, giving more colour to their old age and making one feel belittled by the aged ones' spirit and sense of responsibility.

The AFA honours its octogenarian members every year. When Air Marshal P V Athawale honoured 14 octogenarians this time, it appeared like the meeting of two generations.

During his speech, Athawale reassured the retired men about the present state of the IAF by narrating the various modernisation activities the Air Force has embarked on. He said the deal for 126 Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MRCA) would be signed soon. The Defence Ministry has allocated Rs 42,000 crore for the purchase of the MRCA.

The first of India's six C-130J Super Hercules aircraft would be ready for its maiden flight next month. C-130J Super Hercules is considered the world's most advanced transport aircraft.

Old aircraft and missiles will be replaced by new ones. Work on the Integrated Air Command and Control System is also on.

There is a good budgetary support for infrastructure development of the IAF. The men are happy with the salary revision also, he said.

There are concerted efforts to bring back work ethics and professionalism in the IAF.

"The quality of the new recruits is very high. They are quite competent. And I assure you veterans that the India Air Force is safe in the hands of the youngsters," Athawale added.

No doubt, the Air Force is safe in the hands of the youngsters. But at the same time we should not forget the fact that the IAF stands tall today only because of the travails these veterans had undergone in their prime.

They are the role models and heroes for the youngsters.

Also see: Army parades signs of change at OTA | More articles by Salil Jose