An Unforgettable Christmas

The Chief Minister of Tamilnadu MG Ramachandran died on the 24th Dec 1987.The city of Madras came to a standstill. There was rioting on the streets by the people who could not control their grief. For them MGR was God. Surprisingly that event left its impression on me for reasons other then his death. I happened to be in Madras that day having driven from Bangalore where I had taken up an assignment. I had come to visit the Madras on business. As it is has always been the minute I informed Col Rao I was immediately invited to their home ,the whole family refusing my plea that I would stay in a hotel since I came on business. I had first met Col HM Rao first when I joined my regiment as a 2nd Lieutenant , my first posting.He was a Major then and incharge of a Battery, a senior office in the regiment. He was well known for his joie de vivre and the good things in life.He was one of the first officers in the regiment to have a personal car, which in those days was considered a luxury.He loved to tipple, played a mean hand at Bridge and have a swing at Golf.Even when the Regiment went for exercise his vehicle would have a Cooler Box which among other things contained coconut water. My first visit to his home was a formal visit or a calling on as it called in the services, had one drink or maximum two and excused your self. At home I met Mrs. Rao and their two young daughters, Chitra & Lalitha and their son Babu ..Mrs Rao was very kind to me and both she and the children took a liking to me. As time grew we often met socially and I had developed a fondness for the family which was reciprocated.Col Rao’s hospitality was munificent .This continued after my marriage and through my entire years in the army and therafter when I left the Army. The struggle for me to resettle from an Army life to the Civil life is a story by itself. But I did succeed and through the years I kept in touch with the family,which was stationed mostly in Chennai ,because of the children’s education while he served out at various postings.I kept in touch with the family through the years and was always a welcome visitor to their home which is why I landed up in their home on 22nd Dec 1987. Back to the events of 24th Dec 1987. As I mentioned the city of Madras was in complete lockdown. I could not go back to Bangalore to be with my family and informed them I was safe and in Col Rao’s home. The next day was Xmas.Col Rao the ever hospitable host that he was was concerned how he would give me a Xmas lunch. The next morning ,he disappeared into the curfewed city and after a few hours appeared with chicken. At what price he bought the chicken only he knew but I am sure it was expensive as the city was shut, but more than that going through the curfew to get a chicken was beyond words.Mrs Rao turned as usual turned up delicious meal and we all enjoyed the Xmas meal with a lot of spirits to lubricate us. But more than the Xmas meal the love & affection he and the family showed on that Xmas day , is something which stays to this day.