Cotd from..: https://mouthshut.com/diary/ibciptorp/My-lifeflash-back-Part-6Koodos-to-Sajithermitwon-the-Ebay-case
In https://mouthshut.com/diary/ghfcnruqp/My-lifeflash-back-Part-4Job-huntingI have written how I got my first job.As I wrote I was also senttoCSR Sugar Factory, Melbourne, Australia’s largest sugar producer.
After my return I was promoted as Project Manager @ the age of 28 and was also in-charge of constructing a Distillery @ Pandruti about 50 kms from the Sugar factory. I was given a Jeep to visit the construction site twice in a week.
My Factory Manager Mr.A.F.Devarajan was busy with Government formalities and during his one of his trip, we both went to our Head Office at Madras, spent 2 days with him in preaparing Feasibility report and Project report. I normally drive his car to Madras from the Sugar Factory @ Pennadam. When the reports were ready, he asked me drop him at the Madras Airport to go to Delhi. We went, but the flight was delayed for more than 4 hours (IA). We both drove to his favorite Geeta Cafe @ T'Nagar, in Pondy Bazar, had Masala Dosai and coffee and again drove him to the Air port. The airport was crowded as then Famous Political leader Mr. Mohan Kumaramangamam was also in the same flight.
After dropping him in the airport, I returned and stayed in the company guest House @ Madras.(The flight took of late in the night).
Around 3.am in the morning, I received a call from Indian Airlines that the flight crashed while landing, hitting a High Tension cable and killing five of the seven crew and 43 of the 58 passengers.Kumaramangalam was also in the plane crash on May 30, 1973.
There were many stories about the crash.....ILS (Instrumental Landing System) failed..there was no visibility and also some report said, its a sabotage to kill Mr. Mohan Kumaramangalam..
Indian Airlines arranged special flight for the members of the families died in crash to fly to Delhi and then to crash place to identify the body.
At 5.00 am in the morning I drove to AKD's house at Nadras , where his wife and son (Studying then at Don Bosco School, Chennai). When I was nearing the gate of his wife, an uneducated lady was putting Kolam (is a form of sand-painting that is drawn using rice powder by female members of the family in front of their home)..and with Jasmine flower on her hair. I didn't know how to tell her about the crash, the company Secretary was with me and told him to slowly prepare her to receive the shocking message. I rushed to the airport to catch the special flight and landed at Delhi...we were immediately taken to the crash sight. As the people survived in the crash was known to us..it was clear that AKD and MKM died in the crash.
All the burnt bodies were beyond recognition...but I found one gold ring .."ÄKD" in one of the charred fingers. I collected the ashes near that..IA packed the ashes in a Coffin box, and flew back to Madras.
The whole factory was at the airport to receive the coffin. It was a great shock..and could not bear the loss...
From that time I started facing life challenging problems.....but God was always with me.....will continue my 8th part soon.....which will be full of life challenging experiences!
