Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Tribute to a Hero!


Last salute: The ‘doyen’ of Indian helicopter bids farewell
 Homage:
Time is temporary- our life is forever- in this life or thereafter!
– Author!
            Air Commodore Sudhindra Kumar Majumdar was born on the night of 7/8th October 1927 to noted barrister S. K. Majumdar and Smt Jyoti Majumdar of Patna, Bihar (British India). At the height of the Second World War- in 1945 he chose to join the Royal Indian Air Force, receiving his ‘flying wings’ in 1948. Air Commodore Majumdar, began his flying career with Royal Indian Air Force, (RIAF) flying, Hurricanes and Spitfires – in the halcyon days of the fledging Air Force of newly independent India.
            As a Pilot Officer and Flying Officer, S.K. Majumdar flew the Spitfire and Hurricane in the first few years of service with RIAF and IAF, (the word Royal being dropped in 1950) prior to selection for helicopters in 1953. When India decided to induct the Sikorsky S-55 helicopter for the IAF-
As a Flight Lieutenant, he was selected to be sent to the United States along with Flight Lieutenant Neil Todd, for training, on the selected type for induction into the Indian Air Force.

            In time, the first S-55 (tail number- IZ-648) arrived in Bombay on 19th March, 1955 and so was born “104 Helicopter Flight” of the Indian Air Force! As is well documented by defence historians and in the annals of Indian Air Force, in particular, “the very first helicopter flight over Indian skies” took place on 24th March, 1954 over Bombay. S-55 (IZ648) piloted by Flt Lt SK Majumdar- following which the helicopter was ferried to Palam, Delhi the next day, 25th March, 1954 and further trials continued, which went on till the 27th of March, flown by Flt Lt SK Majumdar.
 While the helicopter flight was still under conversion – it received its “first operational mission”, the very next day. A Search And Rescue (SAR) mission of the then Prime Minister of India, Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru, who en-route to the ‘Tilpat ranges’, near Delhi, to witness an IAF- fire power demonstration was caught up in a massive traffic jam heading towards Tilpat on 28th March, the next day. For, “One-Oh-Four” and Flt Lt SK Majumdar along with Flt Lt AM Panicker (engineering officer) it was an order- which had to be carried out “at all cost” –

The mission was carried out successfully – with Prime Minister Nehru located en route in the massive milieu of crowd- (tongas-carts- cars included), the S-55 (piloted by Flt Lt SK Majumdar and co-pilot, Flt Lt Panicker) landing on an open patch of the road, rescuing the PM from the traffic jam and arriving at Tilpat safely. The mission of 28th March, 1954 was the “Red-Letter” for the IAF and “One-Oh-Four”, in particular, scripting the pioneer ops for “Pioneer Rotarians”!

            In due course of time, Flt Lt Majumdar, would go on to command “One-Oh-Four” not once, but twice, a rare honour of sort! To Air Cmde Majumdar’s credit- an entire generation of helicopter pilots in India were trained by him, almost singlehandedly.

            Apart from being an ace helicopter pilot with “zero-incident” flying record to boast of till he hung his boots in 1978. Air Cmde Majumdar was an equally dare-devil pilot, who knew his limitations and for whom, safety was paramount-in the air or ground! He would at times, to test his own self and inspire those around, while flying fighters, would fly in and out of ‘both side open’ hangars and execute his manoeuvres (doing a ‘Touch and Go’ or ‘flying by’ from one end to the other- 2 mtrs from ground) with exceptional ease- while keeping in mind, the safety of his aircraft and men on ground - It was a different day, age and time; today a pilot could face a CoI or even be Court Martialed, for such bravado ‘show-off’!
           
            Such was his expertise; at handling the helicopter- he executed “perfect landings” on hilltops in the NEFA sector, with just three bricks as makeshift “helipad” as well as on rooftops! He indeed was a ‘pioneer’!

            Apart from his flying skills and ‘cautious bravado’, Air Cmde Majumdar, was an equally cautious person- on ground and could be brutally ‘no-nonsense’ when required. An incident from back in time revealed by his nephew and noted Aviation/ Defence Analyst, Abhijit Bhattacharyya, shows another side to the Air Commodore’s persona...
           
            As a Flt Lt posted in Ambala in the 50’s, driving to work- an Air Force lorry, driving ahead of him would just not give him ‘right of way’ – no amount of honking and flickering his headlights would help, nor would his efforts of trying to overtake from the other side- an excellent driver, notwithstanding, would help. Coupled with the fact, the ‘lorry driver’ would cut him off dangerously every time he’d try to overtake... Miffed at the lorry drivers’ behaviour, he finally over took the ‘chap’ at the slight gap he could find and stopped short of the lorry. Getting off his vehicle, the 6’ 2” tall strapping Flt Lt ordered the driver to disembark from his vehicle and gave him (lorry driver) a dressing down on ‘rules of the road’ adding a threat of Court Martial as well. Such was his way of dealing with things- the ‘lorry driver’ became apologetic for his actions- which made uncle let go of him, with a stern warning, no doubt!” (Not to be misconstrued for ‘road rage’)

            As a Group Captain, SK Majumdar served, Chief Instructor at the (then) Jodhpur based, Air Force Flying College, (predecessor to Air Force Academy, Dundigul) some of his cadets, trained under him, went on to charter dizzying heights in their own flying career- including, ex-Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Fali Homi Major and Wg Cdr BS Singh Deo- President of the Bell Helicopter Company, in India, and many such stalwarts received their wings under Air Cmde Majumdar.

            In 1971, Gp Capt SK Majumdar attended the prestigious National Defence College in New Delhi and thereafter, with 30 years of service to the Indian Air Force, retired from service in 1977 at the rank of Air Commodore.

            Post retirement, Air Cmde SK Majumdar continued his association with the aviation world and helicopters, in particular, almost till the very end. His knowledge on aviation, world affairs, and military at large and current affairs was impeachable. A teacher par extraordinary- sitting and talking to him was like a ‘drug’ of sort. His humour would put any one at ease, at the very first meeting! Meticulous with everything he did- be it, marking and underling news clipping (which he felt important) from the newspaper- to teaching his grandchildren to drive- an excellent cook- he preferred doing things on his own and not be dependent on others- one bit! Fiercely proud of his ‘naam-namak and nishan’- Simply, seeing him walk with his ‘ram-rod’ straight gait and taut face would be a sight to behold!
He will be dearly missed!

            On the night of 19th/20th July, 2011- Air Commodore SK Majumdar- “First military helicopter pilot of India”, “Doyen of the Indian Air Force”, “Father of One-Oh-Four Helicopter Sqd, (Fire Birds)” bid us his last good bye- after a semi-prolonged illness!
Air Commodore Majumdar leaves behind his beloved 
Wife- Uma Majumdar
Eldest son/daughter in law- Dr Subir and Sapna Majumdar
Daughter/son in law- Dr Bhabani and Dr Utpal Mukherjee
Youngest son/daughter in law- Ranabir and Ishani Majumdar
Grand Daughter/ Grandson in law- Dr Shyama and Nishith Agarwal
Granddaughters- Manjira Majumdar, Srimayee Mukherjee and Ananya Majumdar!

            Air commodore Majumdar’s demise leaves a void- which can never be filled within the Aviation community at large, the Indian Air Force in particular and our family!
With calls, messages and ‘in attendance’ floral tributes from one and all, serving and retired officers of Indian Air Force included- Air Commodore SK Majumdar- received a “send off” – “Befitting a King”!

            In this life we make the mark- which holds us in remembrance forever and thereafter as well! Air Commodore S K Majumdar- The lovable father- doting grandfather- a guru to so many amongst us- His memory in our hearts will hold out as long as we live our life and tell our children the story of the man – who fathered ‘helicopter aviation’ in India!
           
To the man we love so dearly- “missing him with joy in our hearts and a smile on our face-in his memory will uphold his deeds”!
If we could do our bit towards the ‘fouj’ he served and ‘aviation’ he so loved- it would be a “Bravo Zulu” from him – wherever he is!

            Jai hind! 

2 comments:

CYCLIC said...

A very befitting tribute to an illustrious man
Unni Kartha

CYCLIC said...

A very befitting tribute to an illustrious man
Unni Kartha