The greatest news

The greatest news

505

1993 9 September 16 The greatest news (285)

June 30, 1985 was a historic day for Gwalior. At the military airport, there was a special flurry of activity, for India had recently bought from France a war plane, the Mirage 2000, and the ceremony to mark its addition to the strength of the Indian Air Force was to be held. The twelfth Air Chief Marshal, L.M. Katri, (1927-1985) looked very happy that day, and participated in this ceremony with great enthusiasm. No sooner had he returned to Delhi after this splendid ceremony than he suffered a heart attack. He was immediately taken to the military hospital, where he was declared dead only a matter of hours later on 1st July 1985.

Air Chief Marshal Katri had the distinction of being India’s ablest fighter pilot, and had set up a splendid record in a number of aerial attacks he had made against the enemy. But this great fighter of enemy planes could not combat the silent attack of death. He, who had flown so high to achieve military victories, was defeated when brought face to face with the forces of death below, for the power to counter them was not in his hands.

The confrontation of power with powerlessness is faced every day in one form or the other. Everyday, some “Air Chief Marshal” is defeated by the silent attack of death. This experience announces to others the truth that man lives in a world where every victory finally ends in total defeat, that life is a journey from power to powerlessness. Death warns man of this reality, but, at this point in time, when one is riding on the crest of a wave, this is a news that no one wants to hear.