NDA, IAF pilot & beyond: Suresh was an organiser by instinct, recalls coursemate

Kalmadi was commissioned into the IAF in December 1964 as a transport pilot and retired in December 1974 as a Flight Lieutenant. “I remember Suresh as a very energetic and approachable cadet during his training — both during the NDA days and later. But there was one single quality of him that stands out. His ability to organise! As Air Force cadets, our interaction was more during the fifth and sixth term of NDA. He took keen interest in the organisation of meetings and functions at NDA. Anywhere and everywhere he went he was given the responsibility to organise events, gatherings. May it be at the squadron level or station level. He excelled in that as if he was born to do it. And looking back, I can say now that he used his organising capabilities to the fullest when he entered politics. Suresh was an organiser by instinct,” said Wg Cdr Shrotriya, who retired from the IAF in June 1988 after 23 years of service.

Congress leader Suresh Kalmadi. (Express Archive)

“As a pilot, Suresh primarily flew the Fairchild Packet aircraft, which was a transport aircraft utilised for air maintenance sorties and also for paradropping. During his service, Suresh was posted in Agra for a long period. And as his contemporaries at the time remember, he actively organised squadron and station level activities in Agra. Suresh was in active service during the 1965 and 1971 war, however I do not have specifics on whether he participated in particular operations during these two wars,” added Wg Cdr Shrotriya, who after his retirement from the IAF established a computer hardware company of which he is founder chairman.

“His last posting was as an instructor at his alma mater, the NDA where he served with the Air Force Training Team, AFTT. Immediately after leaving the Air Force, he started a hotel and also a business venture, Sai Services. Even when he was serving in the IAF, he used to express his intention to retire early. He used to say that he was interested in utilising his organising skills in public life and politics. And he did as had intended. Suresh retired as a Flight Lieutenant after completing 10 years,” Wg Cdr Shrotriya recalled.

Speaking about his last interactions with Kalmadi, Wg Cdr Shrotriya said, “Former Chief of Army Staff General J J Singh is our batchmate from the 25th course NDA. When Gen J J Singh was the Chief around 20 years ago, a meet of the alumni from the 25th course was organised at the NDA. At the time, Suresh, who had established himself in politics, had organised a get-together of all of our coursemates at his farm. And that was the last time when Suresh and I met at length. And around four years ago, I met Suresh briefly at an Air Force Day get together. He was facing difficulty in movement at the time. That was the last time we met.”