I first met Brig Desai in 1970, when he was the Dy Comdt MCTE, and we were doing SODE 22. He had recently come from a foreign assignment (MA in Germany, I think). Mrs Desai soon became a favourite with us bachelors, as she never refused a dance!. Their young daughter too was much in demand as a dancing partner. They were the epitome of grace and gentle behaviour, even with young officers. No wonder, The Deputy Comdt's house was the one where all the YO's went first, to perform the then sacrosanct duty of calling on senior officers.
My last meeting with him was in Defence Colony about two years back, when I met him to get some inputs for the Corps History. As usual, Mrs Desai was the same gracious hostess that she had been almost 40 years earlier.
In his departure, the Corps has lost one of its finest officers. I pray for peace to his departed soul.
Maj Gen VK Singh (Retd)
