Adieu Charlie Mike!

Commander CM Mohan 01 Dec 1956 - 01 Nov 2024

Cadet Cheethampadi Murali Mohan, Roll no.395, joined Sainik School, Kazhakootam in Jan 1966, one year before I'd joined school. He hailed from Sekhareepuram in Palakkad. While at school, we came across each other be it on the PT fields, on the parade ground for drill, during Academic periods etc, in fact,  during all the activities in school and we were not the best of friends while at school either. During our final days, he was stricken with Trachoma - an ailment of the eyes.

I remember our Chemistry teacher, NBN sir, telling us that one of the treatments that used to be paractised those days was by rubbing Copper Sulphate crystals over the inner portion of the eyelids that caused immense pain and irritation! His eyes used to be red during those days. He was very close to his mother and was fond of his younger brother and sister, in fact giving away some of his property to his younger siblings at the time of partitioning of the family property!

We joined the NDA, he in Autumn '72 with the 48th course in Echo Squadron and I, with the 49th course during Spring '73, in Hunter Squadron. Whenever we used to meet at the Academy, it was always a smile and a hello; and that was that! Both of us had passed out as AF cadets, got grounded and returned to the Academy, as naval cadets.

On passing out, this time, we were posted as 'seagoing cadets' on board the old INS Delhi in Spring '77. We were allotted adjacent bunks in the roomy, airy and well lit starboard chest flat - his was bunk 59 while mine was 61. From then on, it was an uninterrupted beginning of a lasting relationship...we became friends with a vengeance to make up for lost time.

On board INS Delhi, there was a pitiable sight that I saw him in, just once. He'd gone out on liberty at Bombay and returned late in the evening with a bruised face and swollen lips. It was a taste of the thugs who create havoc on the suburban trains - his shirt, that he'd borrowed from me, just like that, because he'd plenty - was torn and they'd snatched away his brand new Ray Ban goggles! He was unconsolable on that!!

We were appointed on board INS Beas, in Autumn'77, as Midshipmen and our friendship grew. He used to come and listen to my classes to a few, on intricate Seamanship and Navigation. After becoming Sub Lieutenants, we were in different groups during the SLt Tech courses and we went about our respective professional paths, thereafter.

But there were hellos and hugs between us whenever we met off and on. And we came together at the Defence Services Staff College at Wellington in Apr '91, for the 47th Staff Course. Both of us stayed at adjacent accommodations atop Gorkha Hill and we used to interact regularly on exercises; I used to be fascinated by his quick grasp of tactical situations to formulate a straightforward appreciation! We talked of life in general, during breaks, and offered our solutions always within the stipulated time. Our families had also got close.

I remember this humorous incident while at the Staff College. I'd gone across to his house one evening and it was after a pretty long time that the door was opened and that too, by an apologetic Sasikala. Charlie Mike and the kids were sitting on top of their chairs as they were hesitant to let their newly acquired pup to get close to them!

We, then went our ways again but I'd got in touch with him soon after, when he was posted in my ex-ship, INS Agrani, the School of Leadership for sailors. He'd undergone a bad accident during a weekend while he was returning from his hometown in Palakkad and had taken the impact of the collision between the vehicles, on his right knee cap, if I recall correctly.

He'd made a statement then, "Rajeev, I knew that come what may, you'd be my classmate/course mate who'll make an endeavour to get in touch with me".    

On retirement, after we'd settled at Guruvayur, he and his family had dropped by and stayed with us for a couple of days. It was sometime in 2015 and my mom was also with us, then. Mom and Charlie Mike got along famously, like a house on fire! He had gifted us with a beautiful electronic clock which occupies a prominent place in our house, 'The Quarterdeck'.

We were in touch on WhatsApp till 29 Oct, around 1620 hrs! Was wondering as to why he'd not replied to my morning hellos yesterday and today. It was this morning that I came to know of the tragedy. A few days earlier, he'd contracted a viral fever, which had subsided. Sasikala had gone for her morning walk on 01 Dec and on return, she'd prepared his morning cup of tea and had tried to wake him up. Charlie Mike didn't respond as he was already on his long trudge to Valhalla. Or is the trudge a short one, I wonder?!

There was never a dull moment with him around as he was gifted with a fantastic sense of humour!

Adieu Muahanu (Used to rib him, by calling so, since the north Indians called him so, at times!) ! You shouldn't have left so early. Om Shanti! Sadgati. My tears and prayers. May god give strength to Sasikala, Arjun, Anish and Chandni to pass through these difficult times. 

Tailpiece.

Got up at my usual time, the chores and was ready by 10.

Sajish had come to give me a haircut and massage. Selvam dropped by to press clothes.