Air Marshal Pranab Kumar Barbora, PVSM, VM, ADC Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Air Command, Indian Air Force, is in an awe inspiring position for an average achiever like me. I recall he had the hardest grip I have ever felt, and I had complimented him for the same way back after the very first handshake. But it took me a trip to Subroto Park Air Force Station to gauge the might of his actual power. My interview was pre appointed and as soon as I reported at the entry gate to the cantonment, it was a smooth entry. After all, I was going to interview the C-in-C.
Once ushered in, he instructed his staff not to disturb him for the next 40 minutes. I couldn’t help but express my honest feelings - how proud I felt to see an Assamese in such a powerful position! The first ever 3 Star General from Assam and the second most powerful man in the Indian Air Force. Western Command is the main command that faces Pakistan and China. It has 35% of the assets of the Indian Air Force and is the most important and strategic of all the air commands.
Did he plan his journey on the long and arduous road to success? Not exactly! In fact, it has been a 180 degree deviation from what he thought, he’ll become. He believes, he is where he is today because of destiny and hard work. He was a happy go lucky kid growing up in Shillong who loved playing cricket and couldn’t think beyond it. He is the third of 5 siblings (4 bros, 1 sis) and he never wanted to study. He joined the NDA in 1965 without the knowledge of his father, who was an SP of Assam Police then. He, however, now finds it amazing, the amount of studies he was expected to do! Arts, Science, Commerce etc. He almost didn’t make it and somehow managed to scrape past. True to his motto of not studying, he never attended the National Defence College, almost mandatory for officers who aim to climb up the ladder! Mr Barbora, however, made it to the top despite this. He was earlier designated as the Military Attache in Moscow and later on promoted to the C-in-C, Eastern Command.
His father was a school inspector in pre-independence era, and then he joined the Indian Army and served as a Major in 6 Madras Regiment. Finally, he served the Assam Police and retired as the Commander General (Home Guards). Due to his father’s hectic schedules, his mother was the guiding and controlling force during his childhood. In fact, Pranab used to get the maximum thrashings from his mother because of his pranks. But by doing so, somehow she managed to insulate the boys from the wrath of a powerful father.
Today he gives credit for his success to the support of his family, goodwill of the people, his wife and children, teachings and values inculcated during childhood, and focused hard work; which got due recognition eventually.
Mr Barbora reminisces about the golden days of an undivided, harmonious and prosperous Assam. They had a close-knit circle of family friends in Shillong. Though they belonged to different religions, the mutual affection and amity amidst the group was so strong that his father’s friend late Shamsuddin Ahmed, IGP died in his father’s bed, his mother waited by the side of the deceased till Mr Ahmed’s family arrived. In fact Mr Barbora’s only daughter is married to a Muslim and there is absolutely no acrimony about it. The other accomplished families from the Shillong group include Mr Ataur Rehman, former MP & IGP, Mr Lala De, IPS etc. The closeness amongst this group of families in Shillong provided the much needed conducive atmosphere in which the next generation flourished.
This is a good occasion to highlight his achievements so far. A remarkable landing of the C-in-C on a twin engine aircraft at 16,500 ft height, just 10 km from the Chinese border for the first time after 43 year. The engine could not be stopped, for it will not restart. Oxygen was so thin that a lighter won’t ignite! In fact, he wanted to smoke a cigarette, but could not do so.
I asked him about the MIG 21. Are they indeed the flying coffins? According to him the aircrafts are perfectly alright and they are slated to be phased out by 2015. In fact, C-in-C himself flies them regularly. Needless to say, he is an ace pilot. He mentioned humorously that there are only two types of pilots-dead or alive! I couldn’t resist asking him about fear of flying. And this is what he had to say...God never designed human beings to fly. Only through innovation and indomitable spirit man learnt to fly. Whenever we leave mother Earth, we go to an alien environment. The most critical moments during a flight are the take offs and the landings. That is because the time span during a take off or a landing is so short that it does not allow the luxury of thinking. But while cruising, one has all the time to relax one’s muscles and the brain.
It’s been a long time since he moved out of Assam and I asked him what he misses the most from Assam. Like all of us non-residents, he too misses the picture perfect landscapes, the mighty river Brahmaputra, the blue hills, lush green forests, streams, waterfalls etc. But above all he misses the simple, smiling, amiable people of the North East. He misses that ‘different world’. He feels that the North-East region has the friendliest of people on Earth and their hospitality cannot be matched by anyone anywhere.
He lamented that Assam today is passing through probably the worst phase ever in its history! And he believes, it’s entirely our fault. Centre also had never given due attention to that region. Our own leaders too have failed the people miserably. Forget accountability or commitment to development, even the slightest hint of patriotism is missing in them. Development funds are almost always misused. He feels we people should ask where the money is going. Retardation coupled with high expectation has led to terrorism, separatism and soon the youth get baptized into organized gangs of extortionists and killers.
I asked him if he sees a bleak future for Assam! But he is optimistic. Assam will definitely progress, he feels. Current turmoil will not last forever. Generation Next will eventually take charge with new ideas and motivation and it will take 10-15 years more for progress to come calling in full throttle. Government’s expenditures on infrastructure will bear fruit. Look east policy will help.
With one and a half years more to go in service, I asked about his retirement plans. He wishes to go back to serve the people in whatever capacity they may ask him to. He would like to guide the young generation who will bring about a change. His son is already settled in Goa, and runs an adventure sports enterprise.
Mr Barbora believes in God and destiny. He respects other religions and God to him is a supernatural being, who can be called Allah, Bishnu or whatever. This supernatural being devises every law that governs everything in the universe. Hinduism to him is a way of life.
Through Posoowa, he wishes to convey a message to the youth: Come out and see the rest of India, be proud of your culture and remember its no less! Gain knowledge and give it back, come out of your shell. He gave the example of those who left Assam, worked hard and intelligently and how they got due recognition from one and all.
Manoj Kumar Das, New Delhi
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