This morning I got the sad news about my course mate, Ashutosh Balichwal, having passed into the mist of time. He was grappling with post-Covid complications at the hospital in Rajkot, Gujarat. Actually, last month he was admitted, first time into the hospital, for having contracted Covid-19 and was discharged a week later with the RT-PCR test clearing him. And we all were happy for him.
But a twist in the tale was in store for each one of us, close to him. Within a matter of a few days, he was back again in the hospital with post-Covid complications from which he never recovered. He was buttoned on to the ventilator from where he never came out. He leaves behind Santosh, his wife and Anubhav, his son.
I first met, Balichwal, on board the old INS Delhi as a cadet, in Jan 1977. He was from the Naval Academy and me, being an ex-NDA, took our time to become friends. He was a guy, full of mirth and had an exhaustive collection of colourful jokes. Like me, he was also a Sainik School product from Sainik School, Chittorgarh.
After we passed out from INS Delhi, we were on board INS Beas for training as Midshipmen. We'd still not become the best of friends and the both of us went around with our circle of friends. It was during our tenure on board in Autumn '77, that the ship participated in the multi-nation 'Monex' or Monsoon Experiments and going through the roughest of weathers, we developed camaraderie and became friends. We had, indeed, come to know of each other's draughts!
Then we went about our Sub Lieutenant's courses - during the whole of 1978 - and underwent training in various naval establishments, all across the country. By early '79, we had dispersed into various ships for the award of Watch Keeping Ticket. We crossed each other's paths albeit briefly, from time to time, in the course of our subsequent appointments.
He'd left the IN and taken on a second career in the Merchant Marine and did well for himself. In fact, he was still working as the Harbour Master at Rajkot and guiding ships in and out of harbour. His wife was at Navi Mumbai sorting out certain legal issues, their son was doing well in the Merchant Marine and hence he lived by himself at Rajkot, in the port's accommodation.
He used to call up frequently and talked about a lot of things and we traced our course mates and as to what they were up to, these days. Of late, he had become very philosophical and I used to pull his legs on that score. Was he aware of what was in store for him, in the immediate future, I wonder? And from what I learn from the others is that, he made it a point to be in touch with as many of us, as possible. And he used to talk at length about anything and everything. He used to tell me that he enjoyed talking to me!
I remember him being upset over the passing away of Gen Bipin Rawat, the CDS with whom he'd interacted many times.
Will miss his calls and his lengthy conversations.
Adieu Balichwal! Om Shanti. Sadgati. My salute, tears and prayers to a lively course mate. May god give the strength to Santosh and Anubhav to tide over this irreplaceable loss.
Tailpiece.
Got up at a quarter past 6, the chores and was ready by a quarter to 10.
Had gone to the nearby chemist, Johnson, to buy plaster. He was very keen to talk on seeing me after a long time.
Helped Lekha in watering the plants.
PS.
Balichwal's ashes were immersed at Dwarka today, 18 Feb, Chautha, in Jamnagar, on Sunday.
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