ADMIRAL’s  FARM 

     There are rare fortuitous occasions in Life when one upbeat sanguine event trails as a sequel to another. Adm Nadkarni Memorial lecture by NFPC had been majestic, the previous evening. On Monday morning even as I bid farewell to Cdr and Mrs Madan Lal, who set course for Vasai from our Khese Park Home in their i-20, my Lenovo screen flashed ‘RAdm NN Anand’.

       Adm Anand invited us to his Palghar Farmhouse on Wednesday. I glanced at Meena, who gave a Thumbs up. The Adm was glad that Meena and I would be with him, albeit he had desired Cdr Vijay Vadhera’s presence too, who unwillingly but politely had declined due to preoccupation. Meena accomplished the shifting of decorative artefacts expeditiously to enable our return the very next day, slashing down two days from our earlier plan. ‘Flexibility of Operations’, a vital Principle of War is well understood by Naval wives. The next afternoon  we were speeding on the Pune-Mumbai  expressway, with extra josh and wings to our Tata Manza, to arrive Borivali home prior to the Sun kissing the horizon.

     The drive next morning to the Farmhouse was uneventful barring minor traffic congestion prior to the Dahisar-Surat Toll plaza. The diversion from Manor  to Palghar (22 km) encounters two insignificant ghats. The Farmhouse is located 2 km short of Palghar and following Adm’s explicit directions we landed up sans any complication. The fenced Farmhouse is extensive and magnificent, the plots thick with Mango, Cheeku and Coconut trees. Adm’s help Komal was at the gate to receive us with a smile. We drove in near the house and saw the tall, fair, beaming and frolicsome Admiral smilingly waiting for us. I smartly saluted the Adm, as Anuj touched his feet in reverence. He blessed him as we were lead into the House Veranda and Komal fetched tempting and refreshing cold coconut water, that’s Meena’s favourite. Nine pet dogs; proud sentinels of the Farm, who were in prone position got up and drew closer to Anuj and Meena, for being petted. Adorable pets.  We were escorted inside the Bungalow and shown two huge guest rooms with attached bathrooms, a spacious and well-decorated Drawing room. There was an additional room for Komal too. Komal has been Adm’s help for the past 16 yrs and She along with the Farm manager Prakash and the Guard live in harmony just as Adm’s family members. Komal served us Royale breakfast of hot Idli, Wada, Upma, Pancake and assorted cool Rajapuri, Alfonso and Kesar mangoes. This was followed by hot Cuppa coffee in the Verandah as the Admiral spoke to us about the era of Navy that was in its incipient state after independence. His times on board INS Kauvery, Trishul, Himgiri and Vindygiri. The exciting operation Python of ’71 War during which He was ExO Trishul. His tenure in NDA as DepCom. The memories in the footprints of Time are always exhilarating and makes one Proud.

   The Adm explained to us the layout of the plots prior to taking us around in the Farm. We were all provided with a pair of Gumboots each for protection and safety from snakes. We were explained the scientific way of irrigation of trees lined in the plots. The lay of water pipeline with intermediate valves for irrigation maintaining a fixed distance between the plants that ensure optimum growth and yield. There were alternate rows of Coconuts and Mangoes, interspersed with Cheekus in some plots. The marvellous shade provided by the group of trees on the North-West edge of Farm was akin to that by a huge umbrella. We strolled around to our heart's content before retracting to the Farmhouse for lunch. Komal served us stuffed parathas of cauliflower with curd and ladyfingers. The luscious desserts comprised of  Vanilla and Butterscotch Icecreams along with cool mangoes and savoury syrupy cheekus. The afternoon discussions again continued on Naval memories and Anuj’s future ambitious plans and his modus operandi. Prakash packed some fruits for us on Admiral’s directives and placed those in the car dashboard. Komal served us hot Tea in the evening. The Admiral then showed us the terrace top that had drooping mango branches loaded with supple fruit.

        We profusely exhibited our gratitude to the Adm for the Farmhouse eductive experience that’s rare to come by in today's busy metropolis life. Admiral Anand shook our hands warmly as I raised my hand in a perfect Naval Salute. As we set course for Mumbai the words of Robert Frost rang loud in my mind…

The woods are lovely dark n deep,But I have promises to Keep,And miles to go before I sleep,And miles to go before I sleep. ….Jai Hind.(Pics in sequence convey the story of bonhomie of Naval fraternity)