FLIGHT WITH A DIFFERENCE
LT COL NOEL ELLIS
26/X/2023
The other day we went to see off someone very close. He was a good
friend and also related to us. There was a sea of people from far and wide who
had come to bid him farewell. All were talking in whispers about his work and
personal conduct. It being par excellence.
The close family shed a silent tear as they bade him goodbye. He too was
silent but smiling, as if he understood the feeling of love being showered upon
him. The final moment when he took off was extremely painful. The doors were
closed and he was on a special flight.
Who else was with him on his flight? Will he have an aisle seat or have
a window view? Will the co-passenger be helpful and cooperative? Will there be
any safety precautions? Will someone show him the exit doors? Will he be served
food? Hope there is no turbulence. The destination has been described to us in
great detail but never has anyone returned to give first hand feedback.
I got hold of the manifest of that flight. It was Chockablock full. In
fact, I was told, that day at the same time there were so many people taking a
flight to the same destination. Some passengers were going there voluntarily.
Some were being sent forcefully. Some didn’t even know why they were on this
journey.
There were doctors, pastors, engineers, lawyers, pilots, armed forces
personnel, veterans, labourers, teachers, shopkeepers, businessmen, jilted
lovers, children, accountants, nuns, farmers, civil servants, chemists,
scientists, professors, nurses, drivers, and even unemployed. What an
assortment it was!
Everyone had a designated seat and sat without a word. All passengers
were empty handed, with no cabin baggage. They did not allow suitcases or
laptops on this flight. The silence was eerie and palpable.
There were many Covid patients too. Those travellers were in protective
covers but isolated from all the rest, huddled in one corner away from people I
mentioned above. Generally, they don’t allow such patients but they were on the
flight. I didn’t find any wheelchair bound passengers either.
During this flight the doctor didn’t speak to the engineer, the engineer
to the civil servant, the driver won’t speak to his employer. Even close
friends and family members were quiet. There were no egos involved I suppose
but that is how this journey is supposed to be.
That is when the silence was broken by the deafening roar of jet
engines. The local Air Force station had come alive. One after the other
fighter planes took off. I was impressed. This special flight would get a
Combat Air Patrol to accompany it for security cover needed. How lucky, I
thought to myself. No one dare interrupt this flight.
The ear shattering noise of aircraft afterburners startled a few
partridges. Once in a while they would call. However, their calls were muzzled
by the jets taking off. Soon the birds went silent as the sun went down.
We came back home with a heavy heart having laid to rest a very fine
gentleman and a pastor whose biblical knowledge and analysis of the scriptures
was a treat to hear. His deportment and loving nature were beyond compare. An
ever-smiling person was now turning to dust after fighting a medical battle in
the cemetery adjacent to the airfield.
It was proved beyond doubt that all mankind is equal. The worldly
knowledge and designations become zero when you are buried six feet down under.
One day we all too would be on that flight.
There were a few lucky ones who had missed that flight. God has
different plans for them. When would the special flight be? I wonder!!!!!!
God Bless Pastor Jitender Nath and his family. May his Soul Rest in
Peace. Dasvidaniya and Au Revoir, till we meet again.
In Grief, The Ellis’.
JAI HIND
Comments
Post a Comment