THE DAILY OBSERVER-51

 😎THE DAILY OBSERVER-51😎

Sun 20 Sep 2020

     OBITUARY

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COL SURINDER KUMAR SHARMA IS NO MORE

LONG LIVE COL SURINDER KUMAR SHARMA

         The shocking news of the departure of Col SK Sharma last evening came about ten days after US Gill first gave the information about his admission in ICU, Fortis Hospital, Mohali. Said to be in a serious condition after a bout of typhoid,he had been on ventilator since then while various tests were carried out. During this period US Gill, Ian Kerr, Manjeet Sidhu,VK Duggal, Bhupi Batth,Arvind, Navnit and Mohinder were amongst those who visited the hospital, spoke to the family and kept us all informed about the developments on a regular basis.Volunteers were also on hand to donate blood if required.There seemed to be a little improvement in the vital parameters towards the end but after the biopsy results were received from Mumbai with " cancer of the blood vessels " as the diagnosis, came the news that he had breathed his last at 1630 hrs yesterday.Mortal remains have been taken to his native village in Himachal Pradesh for final rites, to be carried out some time in the morning today.

         What a journey it has been for Surinder,fondly called " bhoond" (beetle) ; from B.Com. in Govt College, Dharamsala to an interrupted CA in Delhi to join  OTA,Chennai and  then a distinguished career in the Army.

            GC Surinder was a genial, tough cadet in Naushera-8 with a keen sense of humour.In our second term, he moved to Meiktila Coy. He was fond of mimicking instructors and fellow GCs alike, one of his more popular acts being his rendering of the AEC officer's dialogue in Military History - " the morale is not just in the boots,it has gone  down to the grass roots. " He could always be counted upon to liven up the atmosphere with light quips from time to time. He was the life and soul at get-togethers with his keen ready wit and repertoire of stories. 

         Recollecting an incident from GC days, PK Sen ( his room-mate) asked SK one day - " Kol ka programme kya hai?" Today, i am quite sure that SK purposely pretended to misunderstand the Bong-accented question and replied - " Mujhe kya pata Kaul ke programme ke baare mein." PK Sen was late for the event as a result and claimed ignorance. When asked about this, SK maintained that he had mistaken Sen's query about "Kol " ka programme. He lightened many a grim moment with his imitation of different regional accents and typical mannerisms.

         I had the pleasure of enjoying his hospitality on many occasions in Raj Rif Centre soon after passing out. After that i met him during my last regular Army tenure in Jalandhar in the early nineties. He was doing very well in his unit in addition to being an efficient Secretary of the Jalandhar Club. I can never forget an excellent family evening at his place when his two kids (both serving Army officers today) along with my daughter had eyes glued on their newly-acquired colour TV, while we spoke of old times.

         The last time i met him was in 2013 when he was posted on re-employment in Stn HQ Shimla. He and Mrs. Sharma hosted an excellent dinner for the two of us in the Gaitey Theatre and we had a wonderful time together . By the way this involved a good uphill 5km walk for him. It was so nice to see him moving around majestically in his by then trade-mark hat and swagger stick. On being asked about the new swagger-stick addition, he said it was meant only for scaring away the monkeys.He went out of his way to help me to procure Black Dog for my school get-together. He came along with me to the canteen and it was great to see what a popular and respected figure he was . We spoke to each other on phone a few times after that when he had moved to Yol Camp. Of late, he had become reticent . Earlier he was active on fb but i do not recall him posting anything in this WA group of ours.

         Not easy to find guys like him, SK will be sorely missed by everyone. A big SALUTE for an innings well played and in style.

So long,buddy ! Bon voyaģe !

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