Bangalore stories. A General from my old school, also an uncle and a friend.

When Prasan Kumar suggested a blog about Iyengars’ in the armed forces, I didn’t have to go very far. Maj. General N.I.K.Murthy is Tara’s uncle and I deem him as my friend. My first memory of him was at our wedding. He was holding one end of the antharpat,  a screen which is used as a ritual. A remnant from the past, where parents chose and often the bride was still a child! The bride and groom were supposed to get their first look at each other when the screen is brought down. Keshu made an impish comment that there was no need for a screen between me and Tara as we  had seen each other many times!

I got to know him well when Keshu, as he was known in the family, came to Pune on a posting. His home was open to us and we met quite often; week-ends, for lunch, dinner and during festivals. Keshu and Prem were excellent hosts! We have wonderful memories of his stay in Pune, it was for almost twenty years. His quarters in Kirkee was huge, I especially remember the big tree in the compound, was nearby! They later moved to Dighe.

It is nice of Vani, his daughter, to write this short and crisp note about her father.

"Maj.Gen NIK Moorthy forms the ‘moon komb’ (trio) of Iyengar pulles (boys) from Nuggehalli along with Lt. Gen. Narahari & Lt. Gen.Raghunath......Being the first born he had a upanayanam  fit for a Prince."

(Moon Komb* is a tamil word which means 3 horns.)

 

(It is incredible that all the three generals of the armed forces I blogged about came from Nuggehalli and are Iyengars!) 

"Very keen sportsman playing cricket and tennis thru school and college.
He was called "magu"(kid) by his older partners on the tennis courts.

Got his driving license @18. Drove his father's Standard super10 even after retirement when he moved to Blore."

A thing I share with Keshu, I also had a Standard super 10 car! Perhapes the only two super 10's in Pune. Vani adds that Lt. Gen Narahari and Keshu were friends right from school days! My alma-mater Sheshadripuram High School can be proud of many achievers! 

"Narayan Mama was already in the army as a veterinarian. He was the influence. Army seemed attractive option."

"First war experience  was in  the Liberation of Goa in 1961
Also was in the 2 wars with Pakistan in 1965 and 1971.
He also went to Dacca in '71."

"He was posted to Leh. In Leh food was all in cans, BKB was Baigan ka bharta and CKD, Chana ki daal."

Dad in Leh Headgear.

"Was instrumental in doing the ground work for the highest golf course when posted in Leh."

Leh golf course today!

His name is mentioned in the club house as the course designer.

""Sikkim NathuLa pass was his other high altitude posting. 

He took posting in R&D Poona, as Director responsible for Bridging equipment, bridge layertanks and guided missile carriers. Daddy was deputed to Czechoslovakia by the government on a white passport to study pontoon bridges. Prize winning photographer made an album of his visit.""

Trying a special Czech biscuit,

"Last feather in his cap was helping set up Indigenous Antartica station called "MAITRI" as habitat for scientists to stay all year round. Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam was the scientific advisor at that time."

Maj. Gen. NIK Murthy said that dealing with cold weather was new for the team. Even supply of water from a frozen lake was a challenge. So was disposal of human waste! It seems the reseach team collected human waste from the Pune Muncipality for their experiments!

Maitri

The second permanent settlement, Maitri, was put up in 1989 on the Schirmacher Oasis and has been conducting experiments in geology, geography and medicine. India built this station close to a freshwater lake around Maitri known as Lake Priyadarshini. Maitri accomplished the mission of geomorphologic mapping of Schirmacher Oasis.

One expedition costs up to ₹200 million (US$2.8 million). Logistical support to the various activities of the Indian Antarctic program is provided by the relevant branches of the Indian armed forces.

 (wikipedia)

About the golf course at Leh, the story goes that one day his commandant called him and told him to design and build a golf course. When he said he had no idea,  he was told "You are an engineer! Go and do it!" So Keshu bought a book on golf course design and got it done as ordered!

Keshu used to advice me to take up golf. He even offered to get me a ''half-set of golf clubs." I didn't take his offer. I thought I would not have the time and also was doubtful whether I could afford it! Eventually after I retired I took up golf and did play with him a few times. But travel logistics and membership issues made it difficult to play with him as often. He still plays, he now takes a buggy. He did walk till last year! Golf is in the family, his sons play and many more in the family. Murali, his son-in-law is a Intenational golf refree! A good player and a fun golf buddy!