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1965 indo-pak war: He flew never to return: a sister remembers a martyred brother

My brother was not scheduled to fly out on one of those ill-fated Vampires.

1965 indo-pak war, indo-pak war, pune news, indian express Standing below the war memorial , looking up at the name, a host of memories flood me.

Mothers must have a sixth sense when naming their babies, as never was a name more appropriate than Vijay — the name given to my brother. V for Vijay, V for victory, that is what he stood for, he conquered all, everything he did.

I am grateful to The Indian Express and the citizens for having erected a suitable memorial for martyrs. There is now a place where I can go to pay my respects, not only to my brother but those unsung heroes who departed in the cause of patriotism.

My brother was not scheduled to fly out on one of those ill-fated Vampires. He was not keeping well but he made a special request to go, fired with the zeal of youth. He flew on September 1, never to return.

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Since his body was never found and he was declared missing we learned to live on hope. It is amazing how much courage hope gives us. It is that which tides you over till time takes over to reduce the pain.

Standing below the war memorial , looking up at the name, a host of memories flood me. I remember Vijay always feeling a little inferior because my sister Vidya and I were in convent schools while he was in Modern School. One day, he announced that he would like to change schools and finally with great reluctance my parents sent him to Rishi Valley.

Festive offer

That was the start of his conquering spree where he surged ahead of us. He first conquered the English language, and then the hearts of those younger than him — always serving as a role model.

Soon he joined the NDA to start his career in the Air Force. I remember my mother’s frustration as my brother would come home each term with clothes bearing other cadet names. Yet, painstakingly she would buy fresh clothes and label in bold ‘VIJAY MADHAV JOSHI’. Vijay would laughingly tell her that whatever was left behind by other cadets would be packed by him.

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The whole house would come alive with laughter when Vijay was around, for he had an excellent sense of humour, along with the dare devil attitude of Air Force Officers bale out. His handsome face would light up when he’d talk of flying.

My father aged in a day when he heard that Vijay was declared missing. It was Sandhya my sister – in – law’s indomitable courage that saw us through.

Today, fifty years later as Vidya and I stand beneath the memorial, with heads bowed down, we can proudly say, “Vijay you never saw your son Dushyant, but he too has inherited your love of flying. He is with Indian Airlines and Sangeeta (Yashi) his wife, too, is a pilot. How proud you would have been of them!”

Thank you so much Vijay for teaching us to enjoy today for who knows what will happen tomorrow. Fifty years have passed but you will always remain in our hearts.

First uploaded on: 01-09-2015 at 02:08 IST
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