Image & Narrative contributed by Diya Nanawati, Mumbai
My paternal grandfather Nalin Kumar Dhirajlal Nanavati was born in Rangoon, Burma in 1915, during the British Raj. He was the second of three children born to my great grandfather, an Indian civil servant (ICS) from Gujrat. The family belonged to a trading community called Surati Baniyas.
Nalinkumar Dhirajlal Nanavati, my grandfather, was a dashing soldier with the Allied Forces in the 1940’s. He was a soldier in the British Eighth Army and a Major with the 5th Royal Maratha Light Infantry. When the forces were ordered to go and fight the wars of WWII, he left behind a beautiful wife of Bengali and French parentage and a young daughter. But the family back home didn’t hear from him a long time and his beautiful wife assumed that he has passed away in war.
But he did return to India, a battle scarred survivor, victorious from saving peninsular Italy from the German Nazis. Later, he was awarded a military cross for his bravery in the Battle of Monte Cassino. However, he had won the war but lost his family, his wife and daughter, to another man. His daughter later married into a Parsi Baronetcy in Bombay. As time passed my grandfather became Lt. Colonel in the Indian Army, and he met Sharada Ramaiah, the woman who would become my grandmother.
My grandmother Sharada Ramaiah and my grandfather Nalin met over a game of tennis in New Delhi. He was charmed by her intellectual personality. Both my grandparents from my dad’s side of the family came from educated families and had english governesses. Grandma Sharada (born in 1925) was a Brahmin from Karnataka, and even though it was an inter-caste marriage, her mother did not object. My grandfather was so charming and friendly that it really did not matter whose ancestors were traders and whose were priests. As with many families in India, they came from the same class though not the same caste. She took on the role of being the Army wife with utter grace, entertaining diplomats and politicians with great élan. My grandfather was by then the commandant of the Indian Military Academy (IMA) in Dehradun and later the military attaché for India with the Indian embassy in Moscow. He enjoyed huge success and a meteoric rise to the rank of a Major General. In 1959, Sanjeev Nanavati, their only child, my dad, was born.
Tragically, the beautiful life my grandparents and father enjoyed was to be short lived. My grandfather Nalin was sent on a non-family posting in Kashmir where he was killed on the November 22, 1963 at the age of 45 in one of the most tragic helicopter crashes of all times. All six senior officers including my grandfather died. The other officers were –
- Maj. Gen Nalin Kumar Dhirajlal Nanavati (Military Cross, General Officer Commanding 25 Infantry Division)
- Lt. Gen Bikram Singh (General Officer Commanding, 15 Corps)
- Air Vice Marshall Erlic Pinto (Air Officer Commanding, Western Command)
- Lt. Gen Daulet Singh (General Officer Commanding in Chief, Western Command)
- Brigadier SR Oberoi, (Military Cross, Commander 93 Infantry Brigade)
- Flt. Lt. SS Sodhi
Many conjectured that the helicopter was sabotaged because so many senior officers lost their lives at the same time, but the Indian Army ruled out sabotage and stated that it was an accident. Later as cautionary rule, the government banned senior officers of the army to ever travel together. The same rule now applies to several corporations too.
Grandma Sharada Nanavati was widowed at a young age of 34, and my dad Sanjeev, was just four years old. With only 12 rupees in her bank account, it took Sharada many years to get a succession certificate (issued by a civil court to the legal heirs of a deceased person). She never took a paisa from her wealthy relatives and instead chose to live her life with dignity and raise her son alone. Fortunately she was educated with a Masters in History, Politics and Economics and was a journalist too. With recommendations from Field Marshall Sam Maneckshaw, she began working at the WHO and then later with the USIS in New Delhi. This was a great achievement for a woman in her times.
As a single and independent mother, my grandmother educated my dad, and with blood, sweat and tears built a modest home in the ‘War Widows colony’ in Delhi. Daddy and Grandma remain very grateful to the Indian Army. My granddad was a war hero but I believe my grandma who is 89 years old now, is a hero too.
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Group Captain MK Labroo .
8 Dec 2021I had just joined AS College Srinagar when we were told about the tragic catastrope in which so many Senior Army and Air Force Officers suffered fatal injuries in a Chetak ( Allouttee II) helicopter crash. Initially, many thought that it was a case of sabbotage as Lt Gen Bikram Singh was a No- nonsense Commander. He had kept PM Bakshi Gulam Mohammad’s brothers and cousins under check at the cost of even earning wrath of PM Nehru. But, COI established that the choper had gone into live HT power cable in its take-off path. Lt Gen Bikram Singh was a bold Officer and respected by the people of Jammu & Kashmir. The Round About across Tawi Bridge in Jammu was named “Bikram Chowk” as a mark of rememberance of Lt Gen Bikram Sing the same year.
Lucky
12 May 2021Here anyone from Lt. Gen. Daulet Singh’s family?
Ajit Singh
6 Dec 2020Over the past two decades my father-in-law has mentioned this incident often. His recollection of the details has not changed
over the past decades. I was talking to him last night and he mentioned this incident again. I had not googled this story before,
but decided to do so this morning and ran across this article.
My Father-In-Law, Mr. Mollera Pooviah Biddappa, was a Sargent and a flight engineer in the helicopter division based in Poonch.
He flew often with Flt. Lt. Sodhi. His recollection of the day was that the senior officers arrived in a Dakota. AVM Pinto wanted
to go on a reccee and they decided to fly over the area since it had rained heavily and road transport was not possible.
They started the engines, with my father-in-law on board. For whatever reason, AVM Pinto throttled back and asked my father-in-law
to get off and make room for Brigadier Oberoi since they were going to look at the front lines. About 40 seconds after take off, and
just over the hill, they unfortunately flew right into the power lines.
My father-in-law says that there was no rule prior to the accident regarding number of officers on a helo. Subsequently, it was limited
to two senior officers. Also, the news of this incident was not widely published until much later since it was the same day President JKF was
assassinated and that dominated all the news.
Sanjeev
4 Jan 2021Thank you for your comments. Every bit of detail is useful for all of us surviving family members. I was only 4 years old then so your comments are very meaningful.
nanavatis
20 Oct 2020Thank you for your comment and to know that people still remember the generals who died.
Sanjeev Nanavati
Anjali Ghai Saini
14 Oct 2020Dear Diya:
I found this article while searching for news about this crash. So sorry for the loss. My father, Late Brigadier Vijey Kumar Ghai (at the time a Captain) was the one who was “saved” by providence as he was to be on the same Helicopter! However, Air Vice Marshall Pinto, who was not on the original passenger list, decided to accompany the group unexpectedly, my father being the junior most office he was told to follow in the next helicopter. He was the one who went to retrieve the remains later. It was a most heart rending moment to lose so many distinguished officers at one time to a freak accident.
I notice you stated that your grandfather also served during the Battle of Monte Cassino too, as well. My father served in the same Battle and had the Italy Star medal.
I am writing about this on Wikepedia and would welcome any edits to the Draft article since it is hard to get sources!
nanavatis
20 Oct 2020This Diyas father. I have replied to you on your email. Pls feel free to share your draft.
Regards
Sanjeev
Anjali Saini
21 Oct 2020Yes replied back to you.
Here is the draft – it is still under review as they want the language to be more encyclopedic ! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Draft:Vijey_Kumar_Ghai – pls feel to edit as you see fit.
Thanks.
J Thomas
21 Oct 2020Wow ! This is an important biography and an important story. I used to fly to Kargil in 1962. The Pakistanis were on the hill overlooking the airfield. My salute to your Dad for taking the initiative to capture this hill feature. Yes, it was returned but we captured it again in 1971 and have not returned it.
Of course, it is a different story from the helicopter crash of November 1963.
Brig A N Suryanarayanan
13 May 2016I have treasured a snap of my collecting the First Prize for Hindi Debate on 28 Feb 1961 , as a first-term Gentleman Cadet at the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun.
Yes, you read that right:
Hindi debate & First Prize!
And that was my first long stay outside Madras (now TN) State!
Brigadier A N Suryanarayanan (Retired)
Brig A N Suryanarayanan
13 May 2016The most important part missed out:
From the hand of Mrs Sharada Nanavati!
nanavatis
20 Oct 2020Thank you. This is Sanjeev. My mother is still alive at 94!
Joseph Antony
10 Dec 2015My father Wg. Cdr. V. J. Antony (then Flt. Lt.) was deputed to pick up the daughter of AVM Erlic Pinto and bring her to Delhi. He flew in a Dakota of Air HQ Communications Squadron, New Delhi. I understand that the AVM’s daughter was studying at a hill station possibly in Himachal Pradesh.
J singh
16 Aug 2015My recollection of stories I read is that the rule was in effect that only one senior officer should be in any type of plane or helicopter. I also remember reading that these officers had some sort of tussle with Nehru and blaming him for the ill-preparedness of the army in 1961. Nehru was afraid of. Most of these officers and the deal was done. News, investigations, truth in India? Blah! Humbug. 30000 killed in Delhi and they didn’t take FIR for decades. So don’t go on the honesty of Indian system please. Aftermath was and is that Desh Bhagats died for someone’s stupidity, ignorance or political impotence.
Salutations to your grandparents.
Dr R Vatsyayan
28 Mar 2015Whenever I tell my children about the China War, I dont forget to narrate this tragic crash. Though i was merely 9 years old and a student of 5th standard at the time, this incidence is embedded in my memory. Our school was closed as a mark of respect to this sad happening. There was an extreme sense of loss in the country as we had suffered the humiliating defeat in the war and then this tragic incident. The U.S President Kennedy also died the same day. It looks as it all happened yesterday.
Mr Sumit
18 Sep 2014Real Heroes..Hats of to them..Thanks for sharing this.
Sandeep Kang
16 Sep 2014My Grand Father died in this crash – Lt Gen Bikram Singh
Gurpreet S Kang
4 Sep 2015Salute to the real Heroes !
Sandeep was it your Dad or Uncle who got injured in the 1971 War ?
Your Grandpa was my Dad’s Brigade Commander in the J&K Operations of 1947/48.
Sandeep Kang
18 Sep 2017Dear Gurpreet Singh ji,
I was going thru this article and saw your msg. I am extremely sorry for having over looked it for so long.
Yes it was my father who was wounded in the 71 war. Please pay my regards to your Father.
RRS Vasan
14 May 2016The Helipad at The Northern Command in Udhampur – Bikram Park – is named after you grandfather.
Sandeep Kang
18 Sep 2017Dear Mr Vasan,
I was going thru this article and saw your msg. I am extremely sorry for having over looked it for so long.
Thank you for your msg. I have heard of it but have not been able to visit it till now. Hopefully in the near future i will get a chance to go there.
annuj kapoor
16 Sep 2014Poonch remained the epicentre of Heroism,patriotism and Nationalism.Gen.Nanawati is remembered by generations.Every year on 22 nd Floral tributes are paid by thousands of people at a place called General Spot every year. Ihave been attending this function for the last 40 years.The flames of patriotism and Nationalism lit by generals will remain ever fresh in the heart and mind of the people.[Annuj Kapoor Sr.Advocate District Courts Poonch]
Sanjeev
4 Jan 2021Sorry for the late reply. Thank you for your comments about my father.
Nona
13 Sep 2014And on the same day, 22nd of November, 1963 John F Kennedy, president of the US was shot and sadly the world moved on, this story was old in a day.
DN
12 Sep 2014Thankyou to Mr. Talwar one of your readers who is soon to publish a book on Indian MC recipients who wrote in to us. The Military Cross was won by Maj. Nanavati for bravery at the crossing of the Rivers Senio and Santerno in Italy by the 8 Indian Division during the period 9-11 Apr 1945. Gen Nanavati did fight at teh Battle of Monte Cassino too, as well.
Amita Nayar Bajaj
7 Sep 2014The world of the armed forces is so small…Erica Pinto youngest daughter of AVM. EW Pinto was in my class std 1, Carmel Convent School on Malcha Marg in Delhi. She also had an older sister called Valerie n they lived with their mother in Sujan Singh Park then…1965. I have often wondered where the Pinto family went later on? Some said that migrated to Australia….
Anjali
30 Jul 2017Just read your post Amrita and was happy to learn that you were in Carmel Convent at the same time as me. I was in the 6th standard with Valerie Pinto.
Would be good to know where she is now.
Anjali Mathur
J Thomas
5 Sep 2014Diya,
My salute to your Dad and Grandma.
I remember this accident very well. I was in Jammu with 43 squadron flying Dakotas. The previous year, I had spent a month in Leh with Flt Lt SS Sodhi and others.
There was an electric power cable strung between two hills. It was impossible to see and the tragic accident happened.
It was a double blow for us because our squadron also had a fatal accident on the same day.
Best wishes,
J Thomas
RUOALI
5 Sep 2014She and your father were the UNSUNG HEROES…..who kept going on !!
Vinita Ullal
4 Sep 2014This crash was legendary because so many senior Army officers were killed. My parents often spoke about this when I was growing up. My father graduated from the IMA in 1947 at the age of 18 and retired 40 years later.
Neha
17 Sep 2014Salute!!!