Remembering Martyr JWO AK Singh, VSM

 Dedicated to my beloved friend Late JWO Akhilesh Kumar Singh, VM on   his death Anniversary (25 Jun).

Training centre is a strange place!  It,s whole new world for a school/college going Student !! Training Centres have got their own tradtion, culture, dress code, language and routine. Here takes the full transformation of a guy from teenager to a trained soldier and skilled technician.. Well kept,  hippie style hairs are  trimmed to zero cut, in place of colourful civil dresse, only blue and white color shirt and white, black color half pant is allowed. One can not count stars till late night remembering his girlfriend. He has to sleep by 10 PM .

We UPians are habitual of eating Rotis in our meal but there you have to fill your stomach with rice as Rotis generally are hard to digest specially in dinner. One is introduced to new dishes like Idly, Dosa, Sambhar, Vada etc.

Trainings Center is a  unique University  as well .It has got its own set of language alien to other species of world ! Here you do not assemble but "fall in", if you are not marching erect and straight  in driil,  you are "walking like pregnant lady".If you are supposed to go away at once, you just "get lost", it took me fair number of days to understand the meaning of this word. F*****r, B****r , Bloody fool, Kaddu, Joker are the verbal awards given by Ground Training Instructors when one commits a mistake.  Frog jump, doubling up, rolling, crawling are physical punishments waiting for you anytime in Training Centres.

 I came from a very humble background. I have done my schooling from a government school in Hindi medium. I was recruited in Indian Air Force as Engine Fitter on 18 Mar 1996 from Kanpur batch. Our basic training started at WTI, Tambaram, Chennai.

 As our training progressed , we interacted with our batch-mates and made new friends.Its vary natural that initially we get attracted to those who speak our language, are from same area, district.  AC (UT) Singh AK qualified all above requirements. He was from Kanpur batch, from my hometown i.e. Raebareli and one more thing I am hesitant to add he was from my cast as well.

 Apart from this we have nothing in common.  I have done my schooling from Government school, he was the alumni of Navodaya Vidyalaya. I was very shy in nature, he was a bold turk. I was fond of poetry and literature,  he loved Action movies and music. I was introvert,  he was extrovert. I had inferiority complex  when someone spoke in fluent English as I considered convent educated guys, smart  and knowledgeable   but Akhilesh Kumar Singh  considered English just another language meant for communication. It has got nothing to do with smartness and knowledge. We differered in studying pattern as well. I was a bookish, he studied just enough so that he was not categorized  as 'weak trainee'. 

Initially when I tried to talk to him, he offered me a cold shoulder.  I thought that he is a rude chap. But by the end of first semester (Basic Training), we became  fast friends. Akhilesh was like coconut, hard outer look but soft inside.Then we moved  to MTI for second semester ( Trade training.).  I stayed in Rajaji-2, while Akhilesh stayed in Rajaji-7. 

There I took keen interest  in learning the aerodynamics, Heat  Engine , Jet Engine Theory , Propeller, Piston Engine Theory etc. I studied to prove myself , he studied just to get his basics clear. I used to study 1-2 hrs daily, he will open his precies just a day before  any examination. It seemed as if passing out from training centre or getting LAC rank was not an ordinary thing for him,  he was born to do something better and bigger in life.

Tambaram remains very hot and humid during day  but evenings are generally refreshing and cool. To enjoy the cool breeze coming straight from sea we used to sit together in the open  field between Rajaji Block and Runway crossing or Basketball court near MTI parade ground.

One evening he opened his heart out and said -  यार वीके, ये पढ़ाई मेरे बस का रोग नहीं है। पढ़ाई से बचने के लिए ही तो एयर फ़ोर्स में आया था।  मुझे क्या पता था कि यहाँ तो और ज्यादा पढाई करनी पड़ेगी।

You do one thing. whatever you study in classroom just dictate it to me like a story.  "

I agreed. Since that day, Whatever I studied in class ,I  used to explain it to him.Those who have got training in any Air Force Training Institute would agree with me that writing the precis language only fetches you good marks , not your understanding about the basics. His purpose was to get fundamentals clear, my aim was to master the precis language. Our evening sittings and my diligence paid off. I did fairly good in fortnightly, monthly and UEB examinations.. I was included in the list of probable LAC candidates.

As an honour to probable LAC candidates,  this was the tradition of the MTI that LAC candidates were not detailed for Guard Duties during last semester so that they could devote extra time for their  studies. To justify it,  these LAC candidates were given some extra responsibility like Squadron Senior Man, Entry Senior Man, Class Senior Man or Gardener duty. 

I was detailed class senior man against my wish. I opposed it and argued that taking care of 30 chaps, making parade state three-four times a day, to reach 15 minutes before morning 'Fall -in- time' daily to take attendance and prepare parade state for submitting to Squadron/ Entry Senior man will consume more time than performing Guard duty 2-3 times a month. But MWO Bhagvan Das, our course supervisor refused to entertain me. He enlightened me that rules are not made for welfare or harassment of airmen,  these are made just to be followed.

 Having no other choice, I surrendered. Although it was a blessing in disguise for me.I learnt the technique of handling with different guys. I learned to lead and command. This improved my drill, took away my shyness and helped a lot in UEB/TEB interviews.

Daily discussion with Akhilesh in evening and my strict study schedule made me confident that I would be able to achieve my target of direct LAC. But then I heard a strong rumour that TEB bargains with Traning Squadron regarding number of LAC,s. They offer two choices to Squadron- "Either take 100 percent result or take more number of LAC,s."   Sqn Cdrs generally opt for first one as  it affects their ACR. 

So to rule out any chance which may go against me, I shifted myself in a  billet which was lying vacant after our senior entry  (ATT-24) entry passed out from MTI .I concentrated fully on my study.   When I got official news from my instructors just 02 days before our pass -out that my name is there in direct LAC pass outs. I broke out this news to Akhilesh Kumar Singh happily and proudly ,  He  congratulated me and  reciprocated my joy and  feelings. 

We remained very good friends after pass out as well. A few times  he came to my hometown. LAC rank was the first and last rank I got ahead of him. When I was Corporal, He became Sgt (Flight Engineer), When I got the rank of Sgt , he was promoted to the rank of JWO and when I was serving for the Indian Air Force, he represented our country abroad also(Kango)  as a member of peace keeping mission.

When I was trying to understand the meaning of life, he laid down his life  in service of mankind on 25 June 2013 during rescue operation of Uttarakhand flash floods victims.

 Today, I am struggling hard to become role model for my own children, Martyr  Akhilesh Kumar Singh has  already become hero of this country. Vayu Sena Medal (Postumously)  and Akhilesh institute at 26 ED, Bangalore is testimony of his supreme sacrifice.!!!

Salute to you my friend!! I consider myself preavilaged and honoured as your friend!!!