Journal-4

Today let me share some exciting facts during the the death of Shastri ji !.and some other exciting facts about 1971 war.

Another first for Express was the airlifting of photographs covering the funeral procession of shastri.

A plane was engaged for the purpose and all the centres were provided them.

If the publishing centre had no airport , the nearest one served the purpose.

It was a feat in the days when radio photo facility was yet to be.

 Another  major event I was associated with was the 1971 war .

I was heading the desk when the pak air attack started.

I was doing the van edition at that time.

The teleprinter would come out with flashes of the attack and I would dutifully include them in the galley.

I am referring to the western sector.

In the eastern sector there were moments of tension when the seventh fleet frigate had dacca in its gun range.

But the deterrent was the accord reached by indira with russia.

Over 90000 prisoners surrendered to india .

This brought about the ceasefire and also resulted in the simla agreement.

Benazir was perhaps a teenager when she accompanied her father on his simla trip.

Had india been more firm there was a possibility that the kashmir problem would have found a lasting solution.leveraging has not been our strong point.

Some asides from 1971 war

There were some strange happenings during the war.

Pakistan had better planes and equipment , yet failed in the western sector.

Later reports suggested the bombings went awry because there was a haze up above.

Indian navy had its finest hour when it encircled the Karachi Harbour and made mincemeat of the Pak ships stationed there.

it is as if the supreme intelligence was aware of india's just cause and backed it to the hilt.