One remembers the scintillating ‘70s - when one is 70.

I was a BSc (General) student then and studying at Gargi College, Delhi University. Although functioning from an old school building in Lajpat Nagar, Gargi College was vibrant with facilities for academics, sports and co-curricular activities. The college conducted 4 periods of Laboratory work totalling 3 hours each day for the BSc (General) students. There were classes for Basketball, Volley Ball in the early morning after which we were given one bread-pakoda, one apple and one Coke.

The foundation stone of the new building for Gargi College was laid by Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, the hero of the 1971 war. The crowds were huge.

Years later, I wrote a poem for Owl Magazine 86-87 issue and was privileged to get a photo taken with him at the release of that issue. When I mentioned that I was an alumnus of Gargi College Delhi University and was present at the time he had laid the foundation stone for the new building, the Field Marshal quizzed me, ‘who was your College Principal?’ ‘Indira Thakurdas’, I replied. ‘Ah! You took time to answer that!’ the legendary Sam Bahadur quipped. He certainly was sharp even at that age!

With the legendary 1971 War Hero Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw at the release of the 1986-87 issue of Owl Magazine in Wellington, the Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu.

With the legendary 1971 War Hero Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw at the release of the 1986-87 issue of Owl Magazine in Wellington, the Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu