Puneet's Page

Think of Pakistan today, and this is the image that comes immediately to mind. A Country that harboured and bred terrorists of all kinds in the last many decades. And by Country, I mean those who matter - the politicians, and the military.  The 35 terror camps that exist today, do so, because the intent was to cause harm through 'low intensity' and 'proxy' war against India - an campaign that commenced as a consequence of the vision of General Zia-ul-Haq when he was President and Chief Matrial Law Administrator of Pakistan.  India was made out to be, and is still perceived as Pakistan's enemy No.1 Pakistani's were generally unfazed and not bothered till the time the terrorists kept attacking and killing thousands of innocents in Kashmir. The terror game was extended to other parts of India. Then 26/11 happened, perhaps the most bold and audacious attempt, that left 160 people dead.  All concrete evidence pointed towards terrorists sitting insi

Wing Commander KK (Jumbo) Majumdar was one of India's first decorated air warriors.  After completing his training at the RAF's flying school at Cranwell (UK, 'Jumbo' was posted to the No. 1 Squadron, in the mid 30s. While commanding No 1 squadron as Squadron Leader, Jumbo saw action in the Burma campaign. For his personal acts of bravery, Jumbo was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. During the Allied campaign in Europe, Jumbo volunteered to fly with the No. 268 Squadron in Europe. For his acts of valor in the European theatre, Jumbo was awarded a 'Bar' to his DFC. Jumbo was the only Indian Air Force Pilot to have been awarded the DFC twice.  In 1945, while flying a Hawker Hurricane in an air display, Jumbo's aircraft crashed and he was killed. If he had survived then, there is little doubt that Jumbo would have moved on to the very top position in the Indian Air Force. The story is not so much about highlighting Jumbo's exploits in the 2nd

School mates..... People who grew up with, since you were less than 10 years old. Boys with whom you sat in class, played hockey, cricket and soccer in the school play field. Friends - with whom you teamed up to play pranks in class, and remained firmly united in not letting out who the culprits were. Imagine being connected to most of them, even after three decades have passed since you left school! This is the Class of '79 of Mt. St. Mary's School, Delhi Cantt , where I spent 11 of the most enjoyable yet significant years of my life. I belong to that lucky group of friends who have remained connected all these years. Better still, this group of friends meet regularly - now with spouses, every once in a while. For those few hours when we meet, each one of us goes back to that day and age, when we were 15, 16 years old. With the old bonds firmly in place, we connect to each others' present lives, and the trials and tribulations each one of us is p