Sameer Anukul, 16304, 49 Div, Mike Squadron, NDA Wing Ghorpuri, a thin and wiry spectacled young boy with a ready smile, that is the recollection of our first meeting. We were roommates, with Reuben Peters, NA Vinod, KPS Rana, Sameer and self. Quite a motley bunch of cadets, Peters from Orissa now Odisha, the NDA merit list topper, the joker of the pack, always upto some tricks. Sameer’s dad was in the Air Force, he had studied in KV Tirumelgherry Secunderabad, KPS was from Sainik School Nagrota, an outstanding sportsperson, but generally quiet by nature, may be a little uncomfortable amongst the Angrez, that the rest of us were. Vinod was a TamBramh a Tamilian Brahmin, a second generation fauji, his father was a Gunner, with quite a few tales of his participation in the 71 War.
We were blooded together, never heard Sameer complain or crib, always cheerful and
a voracious reader. The six months just whizzed past and we landed up in the
main academy, but in different squadrons, he was from Social Science stream, I
was a techie, so hardly any interactions during the next five terms. Then we
landed up in the same Company in IMA, Keren, his frame remained the same, more
cheerful and outgoing and was an excellent team person. He opted for Paras,
which seemed a little odd with his physique, we would often joke that you needed
weight for the parachute to descend down, he would probably simply fly off. These maroon
berets types are made of a different mettle, whether Sameer, Akshaya, Yash, Sreehari or GP or even Arvind Sharma, each one very different from the other, the first three
very thin, but fit, not the cross country or Boxing or Obstacle medallist
variety but fit, GP was a fit candidate, my class type since NDA, Arvind was big, taller on the plumpish side but every bit a
paratrooper. Battle hardened, each one an outstanding professional soldier.
After
the academy, we did not cross paths, but then you keep hearing about your
friends through mutual friends. He had done his staff course after the Kargil
war where his battalion 5 PARA had a major role to play. I finally caught up
with him when I was doing the rounds of Army HQ prior to my UN deployment, he
was in the HQ, having been overlooked for the promotion, already made up his
mind to quit after 20 years and was preparing for it in right earnest. He made a
very successful transition to the Corporate world, excelling and quickly rising
in the hierarchy, just going on to prove that his parting ways with the Army was
Army’s loss. His calibre was recognised by the industry and his industrious
nature, clear thinking and strategic vision propelled him into the big league.
I
again bumped into him in Bengaluru, that is where he was settled sometime in
2009-10. I was recovering in the AirForce Command Hospital from a bout of Bell’s
Palsy. I met Yash and Amit Pande also there. Amit was in the CMP Centre
preparing to jump ship, while Yash as usual remained the hard core OG. Then we
met up during the Reunions, always a pleasure to chat up with him, pull his leg
for the girth that he had accumulated around his waist and the whiskers that he
was so proud of, resembling those of Merv Hughes, the Australian bowler. Until
suddenly when I saw Haldia’s desperate message on the group on 20 Apr that he
was with Sameer driving, looking for a hospital bed, as his condition had
deteriorated. The course-mates started to look for beds in these pandemic times,
the most prized commodity. Finally it took Arvinder who swung it in
the Max Hospital at Patparganj, after he was denied admission in Base Hospital.
Though later even that was available after the Generals of our course got into
the act. The next battle was looking for a Plasma donor, where again, Sehrawat
and Haldia managed it. Haldia has been rock solid , a true brother, he left no stone unturned. Despite all the efforts, it was time for him to say
adios, I am sure he would not have wanted to go down like this, but he did go
down fighting, truly like a soldier, despite the odds, he did not give up and we
all remained hopeful that he would recover. Sadly, he didn’t. Loss of a course
mate is like losing a brother, having been through thick and thin, we are way
more than blood brothers. May he rest in peace at Valhalla.
75 comments:
Very well captured Suyash. We will miss Sameer
Extremely saddened. He will surely b missed. RIP bro.
RIP Sameer. While I never got to meet him, thanks to Suyash, all readers like me would now know him.
It's so sad to loose our best buddies in this pandemic. May God be kind and Keep everyone safe. Please take care.....
Anukul was every bit a gentleman . Soft spoken and never abrasive . Ready smile and wit , his company was always a pleasure . His departure left me rather pensive and somber and yes sad . Good men don’t last sadly !!
Very well written as usual , Suyash !!
May his kind soul rest in everlasting peace !!
A warm, unassuming, cheerful human being who was so easy to relate to.
Will miss you always, Sameer.
Sameer Anukul remains etched in our head, as a uncommon combination of brains with Physical stamina. His foray into civilian world was par excellence. A great friend and guide. Will always remember him, for eternity
🙏
Very well scripted Suyash; a befitting tribute to a great friend. Yes, this was not the way to depart, but God has his own plans.. May the departed soul rest in eternal peace. I salute the humble brother we have lost...
Quiet unassuming ever smiling Sameer will be missed. Great tribute Suyash.
Very shocking news... A brave and unassuming soldier... Om Shanti 🙏🏻
Sameer why did you have to leave so early? World is so much less good without you
Thanks Suyash for rekindling wonderful memories of Sameer..was a great guy,will be sorely missed..RIP Sameer
Well woven Suyash, the emotions making a fine and delicate pattern!
Rest in peace Sameer. Suyash thanks for writing so beautifully about him. We shall all miss you Sameer
Sameer with his passion for work and compassion for comrades managed to get into our heart.
He will be missed by a large number of comrades alike.
Deepak M
Such a loss.
Very tragic
A befitting tribute. Saddened . RIP Sir
RIP Sameer. You will be sorely missed.
Always remembered him as a thin speco. It was hard for me to correlate with him in those reunion pics. Will remember him as a very affalable chap. God bless.
May his soul Rest in Peace. GOD BLESS HIS FAMILY. OM SHANTI 🕉
Harish Kukreja
Rest In Peace brother Sameer…😔🙏
Have been together since 49 Div and meeting frequently during next 20 years in service and corporate world.
A thorough Gentlemen. Will miss him forever.
Rest In Peace brother Sameer…😔🙏
Extremely sad . May his soul rest in peace.
OM SHANTI 🕉
Very well narrated.
A nice remembrance....RIP Sameer
Rest in peace Sameer. Will miss you brother
Oh Sameer
Now that you are there first before me, mere liye accha walla room, comfortable bed aur nature view walli window( clicks ke liye) seat rok kar rakhna. Wahon ke Ustadon ke bare mein msg kar dena. Preparation shuru kar deta huin. Pata nahi kab kal Ho na ho...
Well captured Suyash.
Sameer, adios
God bless him. Would be deeply missed and fondly remembered.
RIP brother! You will be missed! Thanks Suyash for capturing the essence of our brotherhood!
Losing a dear friend unexpectedly gives a wound which can't be healed so easily.
Sameer ...rest in peace always..still hard to believe that we are not going to see you and together pull Yash's leg...🙏🙏
A rich tribute to Sameer penned by you Suyash.Sameer being my platoon n immediate neighbour was always there for us.Brother you will be missed and missed very badly specially in our gp where we always looked forward to your witty comments.RIP buddy.
Bisht
Nicely worded Tribute Suyash
RIP it's the way Almighty plans as he also needs good people like you. Bon Voyage for a peaceful journey.
Sameer...what a loss to lose you so early on. Will miss you for the treasured times we spent together in Foxtrot and beyond. You have left exploring new vistas. God Bless. RIP!
As usual a poignant piece written in your classy prose. A tribute more than an obituary to a brother in arms. The loss is personal as we are both Foxies. Being not of any standard 'Type', we were close friends of the free electron variety. You tried to bid Adieu, Sameer but I say Au Revoir. We all will catch up. Be your smiling, happy self in the meanwhile.
What a beautiful tribute to your friend, batch mate, room mate. I learnt of his heavenly journey on my Para Regiment gp. Such human beings will find peace at Valhalla
Most certainly well captured suyash. Infact we foxies were surprised as to he had joined paras. I'm sqn we had Nick named him Anu aunty. A very affectionate soul. May he rest in peace.
RIP Sameer Anukul
Well written Sir
Om Shanthi, Sadgathi Sameer!
Suyash, thanks a ton for running us through the 37 years of bonhomie that we all share with such nice words. 🙏
A great tribute to a great soldier. RIP. Salute.
Col Sameer had excelled in his second innings, was a mentor for many budding Military Veterans and quite popular as a helpful senior in veteran circles. Thanks for the fitting tribute sir
Salute sir..........
I last met him in Leh 1997-99, had great time.We were in touch, never knew that he will leave us to his next journey. Will always miss you Sameer
Good capture of s lively course mate God Bless
Sameer , a great human being, true Friend n soldier par excellence.
Salute !!!
Nice written although sad. No doubt loosing friends in these times is saddening. I also came to know him through Forces NW seminar. Loss is a loss. What to express.
It has been decades since i last met Sameer. The closest interaction with him was as newly commissioned officers in the same station. Your blog has resurrected the memories buried deep in the my brain about Sameer. Thank God for giving this elephantine memory to you Suyash, as you translate those memories into such lucid words it helps someone like me with poor memory to help relive those moments that shaped our lives
Well recollected memories of a brother .. the loss is immense
Pretty hard to fathom that Sameer is not amongst us any more. His image is coming in front of eyes again and again with him donning colored and flowery bush shirts, smiling with relaxed and friendly demeanor.
Thanks Suyash for penning such a nice tribute.
Sir I personally don't know Sameer sir, but the tributes he is getting in my course group speaks of his luminaries amongst so many. Great loss and may his soul rest in peace🙏🙏
*Remembering Sameer 🪖🌼✍️*
In this hour of grief , grave loss and shock , how should we remember Our Dearest Buddy Sameer ....
How would he have wanted us to remember him , of course the feelings of shock and grief is human that too of dearest one .
I think best tribute to him would be by celebrating his life and remembering his priceless & valuable contribution to his family , his parents , his friends and our organization .
Sameer like a true warrior was an Upright Soldier 🪖, beautiful companion , thorough helpful gentleman , a great guide and a wonderful coursemate .
We should try and lessen the burden of grief of Mrs Sameer and their children & be with them emotionally and physically ( if possible ) in their hour of grief and happiness to make them feel Their Head of Family was something special . Let us give them the wanted strength .
Let us all remember this wonderful brother in arms with a cheer and bid him an adieu which is fit for His Stature as a Soldier .
We will Miss you Sameer ( 🪖😭).
Salutes & Sadgati .
Suyash you’ve captured three decades so beautifully. Your tribute to Sameer is heartfelt. His loss is irreplaceable for all of us.
Hats off to you Suyash for the send off to our buddy which we'll miss...Have great memories and his affable nature which will be cherished for a long time....God bless all..
Sam your departure has created a big vaccum in our pers lives.Suyash Very nice recollection of your memories--You made us travel together almost half a century.God Bless us all
RiP Sameer
Thank you Suyash for highlighting Sameer, in your indomitable style. As is said God taketh the best early. Each of us have to make this journey someday, some early some later. My only wish that when I embark on this journey, I meet the same bunch of buddies on the other side and we can reset time again. A bientot mon ami.
The journey together and your course mates onwards journey - so well encapsulated. Sad to hear of the demise but your tribute was so touching... RIP, mobile soul
Suyash! You have very aptly put across a great tribute to Sameer!!! May the noble soul RIP!!!
Sameer was not only a coursemate but also my brother paratrooper. We grew up together in the Regt, bumping into each other at every turn of life, going together early mornings to PTS for our refresher jumps or studying together for staff College entrance exam or getting pissed drunk in para parties..will miss you bro and I am sure one seat on starboard side with helmet will always remain empty when we your fellow paratroopers jump again... blue skies and happy landings where ever you are my friend.
RIP Sameer Sir! A great tribute
Farewell, sir. Om shanti!
Sameers demise is a shock, despite all the problems leading to his Hospitalisation & treatment, I believed that he would won the battle. Was shocked to hear of passing away.
Course camaraderie was evident as always.
Thank you Suyash for rembering him so vividly, it took us all through our memory lanes.
Sad... No words to express RIP... Ironically, Base Hospital has been the faith of almost all... It is like God taking his eyes off... Adieu young man
My dear Suyash.
Thank you for This touching tribute. And Thank you for bringing back so many memories.
Great tribute Suyash.
My fondest memory of Sameer is of lazy Sundays in our 3rd Term in the Academy when we spent afternoons listening to Ozzy Osbourne. Sameer would make coffee and I would roll my cigarettes. We reconnected in Bangalore as he mentored me during my transition to the Industry.
A warm and well meaning human, always willing to help.
Great write up as usual Suyash. We all shall part ways one day but sad to see Sameer move on so early. My deepest condolences to his family.🙏🏻
He will be hugely missed. Thanks Suyash for reliving the cherished memories for the brothers in KDs.
Farewell Sameer, once we all reach there, we will meet again in our final and eternal reunion.
Well said Suyash.
RIP Sameer. Suyash, a well written tribute to a brother officer. Fondly remember the short Association in Keren company...A very sad loss...
Anukul has been a good friend, Paras and Foxie. Sreehari and GP again great guys and buddies from many years.
But a shock as regards Anukul. We dhall miss him. Our love buddy.
🙏🙏
Suyash thanks for this beautifully written article.
Sameer will be forever missed.
Bob
Suyash bhai thanks.
What a befitting tribute to our brother Sameer,filled with nostalgic memories.
I was the privileged one,the recipient of his last text
message(condolences on my father's demise) in the group. He will forever live in our memories.
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