Col OP Kalra

My association with Col O P Kalra (TOMMY) goes back to 1955 when we joined King Georges School, Belgaum together in January of that Year. We went to NDA (26th Course)in 1961 & got commissioned in the Corps of Signals in 1965. We had always been in constant touch with each other both while in service as well as after we retired from the army. Col Kalra was always bubbling with energy and was source of inspiration to all.

I recall, he was always among the first three in the class at school. When Principal Mani and school authorities decided to give him a double promotion- he justified their decision and faith in him by topping the higher class too.

OP was one year older to me in age but many years younger in spirit. No wonder he was made Head Boy of Junior school- the Only Senior Boy in Junior school where young boys could look up to him as Role Model.

OP was always physically fit and could play all games. Who can forget his atheletism in the hockey field?

Col OP Kalra was a brilliant officer- technically and tactically sound. He commanded a Div Sig Regt, the EDP Centre and was a Battalion Commander at IMA- no mean feat for a SIGNALS officer. If he did not rise to higher heights- I can only say it is the army’s and the Corps’ loss which was encashed by IBM and Patni Computers.

Tommy was a gentleman and a true friend with infectious smile. One could count on him always and every time.

His loss will be felt by the entire KALRA Family and Near Dear ones (particularly Mamta Bhabhi; Tanu, Deepak & Saisha; Chirag (Novy) & Sherri). I do hope and pray to Almighty to give them and the family lot of strength to bear this irreparable loss.

“Hey Bhagwan aap Om Prakash Kalra ko apni sharan lena aur usko apne charno main jagah dena”

Lt Col VK Grover (Retd)

Col OP Kalra

Our dearest Tommy is no more. For the dam busters of Bravo Squadron, the void will never be filled. When we reported at Kharakvasla on 12thy July 1961, the dam had just been breached. Naturally, everyone, especially the dreaded second termers, was busy pitching tents for the homeless people whose villages had been inundated, and left us alone for a few days. We were perhaps the only ones who were happy with the dam being breached, and that is how the course got its name – dam busters.

Om Prakash Kalra was the most liked member of the course. He never said an unkind word to anyone, and was perhaps the only one who never had an argument, a rare feat in the NDA. His name first became Omi; then Omi the God, before finally becoming Tommy. If one ran short of toothpaste or shaving blades, Tommy’s cabin was the first port of call. In later years, if one wanted something done, Tommy was the one who could be counted on to deliver. Of course, all of us in the squadron were very close to him. With me, there was another reason for nearness - when we were commissioned and IC numbers were allotted, Tommy became my immediate senior.

I know that all of us have to go some day. But not everyone leaves an empty space. Tommy was like that. I know Mamta and the children will miss him forever. We will also miss him, for a long time. We pray for his soul and for his loved ones – may God give them the strength to bear the loss. Of course, we need not worry about Tommy’s whereabouts – we know where God resides.

VK Singh

I first came in contact with OP when he was doing his SODE and I was doing my CC course at Mhow. Even during that short association I could not escape being influenced by his brilliant intellect and affable nature. Later I had even closer association with him when we both did the sme EDPS course at Mhow. Brilliant as he was, his standing first on the course was no surprise to any of us. More than that he was extremely friendly and cooperative, and willingly shared his knowledge wih others. His passing away so early in life is a tragic loss for all the signals fraternity. May God grant peace to his soul and courage to his family members to bear his absence.

Col SK Paranjape

Though I have not known Col OP Kalra, being a veteran Signaller I pay my 'shradhanjali' to the departed soul. May his soul rest in peace. May God give his family and near and dears the courage to bear the loss.

Lt Col MG Kapoor
Advocate

I was really shocked to hear about the sad demise of Col O P Kalra from Col Ramtri. How can this happen to such an active and fit person.

It was only a year ago that He and I had a very good lunch at the Arun Vihar Club, Noida, and talked about old times and the IT industry in general.

I was fortunate to induct such a fine person, Col Kalra, into the IT industry as head of administration and also my consultant for every thing else that setting up of a new office needs when I was setting up the new IBM office at Gurgaon for IBM Global Services Exports (which has grown very very large now).

I will always remember Col Kalra as a thorough gentleman, very balanced, sincere, hard working, respecting, pleasant, well dressed colleague. He was very shy of asking anything for himself but took up every duty with great involvement. We will miss him and pray for peace for his soul.

- Dr Asha Goya

I knew Col OP Kalra for over 53 years. In his passing away I have lost a real friend. I have written a small "shradhanjali". You may like to give it a place in the blog. Regards

Virender
Lt Col VK Grover(Retd)

Lt Col KL Sethi

Dear Signallers,
Reference email from Dir Sigs Adm, Dte Gen of Signals.
I am sad to inform you about the demise of SL 1409L Lt Col KL Sethi, who left for his heavenly abode on 12 Sep 08.
We pray to Almighty to give peace to the departed soul and strength to all near ones and dear ones to bear this irreparable loss.
In Sorrow,
Brig CS Kamboj, VSM (Retd)

Col OP Kalra

Dear Signallers,

I am sad to inform you that one of our veteran members of "Report My Signal", Col OP Kalra, commissioned to Corps of Signals in June 1965, left for his heavenly abode early morning of 14 Sep 08. He breathed his last in Fortis Hospital, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi. He was suffering with some stomach ailment. The cremation will take place at 4.00 PM on 14 Sep 08 at Lodhi Road Crematorium, New Delhi.

We offer our profound condolences to Mrs Mamta Kalra. We pray to Almighty to give peace to the departed soul and strength to all near ones and dear ones to bear this irreparable loss.

In sorrow -
Chander Kamboj

Maj Dalip Singh

We regret to inform you about the passing away of one of our veterans, Maj Dalip Singh, Ciphers, on 9 Sep 2008 at Chandigarh. A devoted and dedicated Officer of the Corps of Signals who is no more with us.
We offer our profound condolences to the bereaved family members. May God bless his soul.

Lt Col Prem Singh

Dear Members,
I am sad to inform you about the demise of our Signals Veteran, IC- 5917, Lt Col Prem Singh, on 11 Aug 08 at Ambala. Next of kin: Mrs Prem Singh.
The information came through Lt Gen YS Panwar, Commandant MCTE. His email, just received, is appended below.
We pray to Almighty God to give peace to the departed soul and strength to all the near ones and dear ones to bear this irreparable loss.
In sorrow -
Chander Kamboj.

Respected Brig Kamboj,
I have learnt about the sad demise of one of our veterans, IC 5917, Lt Col Prem Singh, a Dec 1951 commissioned officer, who was residing at Ambala. He died on 11 Aug 08. His elder son is Col Ashok Parmar.
Yati Panwar

Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw: Remembered by a Signal Officer

I had some personal experiences with Field Marshal Manekshaw. At the meeting held on 18th June, I felt it was all too personal and may not be in good taste to make a personal relationship , public. My feelings were so great that ultimately , thought of good behaviour succumbed to sentiments.

I had the good fortune of meeting the Field Marshal , for the first time , in 1949 . He was then a Colonel . I was then a major in the Area HQ in Bombay. He was on a visit to Bombay and I had to receive him at the air port and escort him to the suite allotted to him in the mess. It was a long drive to Colaba. Those days , even Lt Cols were few, what to talk about a full colonel and that too one from Army HQ. I did not know how to start . He started off by saying, during office hours I am Col Manekshaw. Outside office hours, I am Sam. What about you he asked. I said I am Major Krishnamoorthy of Signals– still slightly nervous. I suppose your friends must be calling you krish. I said coyly, yes sir. Throughout the journey, which I think lasted almost an hour, he kept on talking to me with Krish, almost in every other sentence. May be he was trying to get my embarrassment out of me.

Years passed by. We were now in 1955– six years later. He had become a Brigadier by then and was commanding a Brigade in Ferozepore . I was still a major in the then E P area in Jullunder, sweating for my next rank. As ill luck would have it, I was asked by the G 1 of the Area to go on a recce and find suitable areas for an exercise, for the Ferozpur brigade. Courtesy demanded that I report to the BM and if he permitted, to drop in to pay my respects to the Bde Commander. Least did I realize that he was the same Manekshaw I had met in 1949. Come in krish , was the greeting I heard. A short meeting and 6 years ago. He is able to connect me with my pet name. I was overwhelmed – to be honest shocked. He said, I am glad that you have been selected to set a paper for my promotion examination. Do you remember that when you were doing your staff college in Wellington in1952-53, you asked your DS, Lt Col Jagjit Singh, for certain clarifications. You actually asked for the DS solution. I assure you I wont do that to you. We both laughed, had a quick cup of tea and parted .

Another 13 years passed. It was 1968. The Field Marshal, then a General was the Army chief. I had taken slightly premature retirement in the rank of Col. I won the allotment of an Indian Oil Petroleum Dealership, against another 299 applicants pitted against me, in an open competition. The system of routing allotment of dealership, through resettlement was not in vogue then. I wanted to be different. I thought why not I ask the Army chief to inaugurate the Petrol pump, as this was the first allotment for an ex-serviceman. Friends thought I wasfoolish. However, no one had the courage to openly discourage me. I called up the Chief's office and said that I wanted to speak to the Chief. The ADC, who took the details, asked me to wait. A few minutes later, I heard I happy voice. Is that you Krish, my old examiner. When would you like to come over. I got an appointment, to the disappointment of the ADC. I placed my request. First he was reluctant. However, I knew the language he liked. So I said Sir, this is the first time a retired officer has got a pump against odds. I want to dedicate this to my service brethren, who in due course of time will retire and may choose to take to this trade . I would like to make this a training centre for such aspirants and I want this to be started by you. Done was the reply. DONE. He did inaugurate it and I remained the darling of Indian oil for two decades.

Many years later, the bee of going through the ballot box bit me. I wrote to him, requesting him to give me his blessings and become the Patron–in -chief. Pat came the reply My blessings for the Commandant of The IOC training centre is there but one suggestion - make sure that there is a two bed cell in Tihar jail. As soon as the Madam Prime Minister hears about this, that is where both of us would be.

That is the GREAT MANEKSHAW I KNEW, I LOVED AND I HAVE LOST at the cruel hand of destiny. Now that the formation of a political Party is being thought of, I wish we could posthumously adopt him not as the patron-in chief but as the Patron Angel. If we have his blessings from heaven, no power on earth or even Heaven can stand between us and success.

Col MS Krishnamoorthy (Retd)