An extraordinary Indian

At first glance, R M Vohra is an ordinary Indian. Look a little closer and you notice the distinct military bearing, the crisp voice and the sharp eyes. Speak with him for a while on his experiences - as I did - and you realize that he is anything but ordinary. Lt. Gen. R. M. Vohra, PVSM, Mahavir Chakra winner of the 1971 war, to give his full introduction, commanded an Indian armoured regiment during the famous Battle of Basantar during the Indo-Pak war of 1971.

The war was won many years ago, the dust has settled on the battlefields, the warriors have moved on with the passage of time but for a short while one evening in early April, the warrior in Gen Vohra spoke again. During the time I spent with the General, he recounted the story of his journey from being a young boy who, along with his family, made the desperate crossing into India from the land that became Pakistan and went on to serve his country with honour.

The first pit stop for Vohra came as a Gentleman Cadet at the Joint Services Wing (JSW), where he was part of the first course. With coursemates such as Ramdas (later Admiral and Chief of Naval Staff), N C Suri (later Air Chief Marshal and Chief of Air Staff), Roderigues (later Gen and Chief of Army Staff) and the renowned Hanut Singh (later Lt Gen), the JSW was an experience that built solid foundations to what would be a distinguished career.

Gen. Vohra spoke of people and places he had known, touching upon both military leaders like Gen. Sundarji and a senior JCO of his regiment with equal respect. Notable among his 'people-experiences' was the time when he drove Sundarji (then GOC-in-C, Western Command) through the desert with nothing more than "a map in my hand and the stars above". At another time, he was humble enough to acknowledge that his senior JCO was correct in admonishing him and showed the true spirit of the armoured corps in learning from one and all.

The manner in which the General spoke made it sound like a great time, but there were moments of extreme uncertainty and grave danger in his career. His journey from the JSW to becoming Eastern Army Commander was full of trials and tribulations. From commanding the Hodsons Horse in 1971, to being a member of the team planning Ex. Digvijay; from commanding an armoured division to a Corps, it was a long tough journey. But then, Lt. Gen. R.M. Vohra, PVSM, MVC is a tough man.

To hear Lt. Gen. Vohra speak of his career, log on to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPRTOlfWQ88