| Canberra Bomber Association regrets to convey the sad news of the passing away of Gp Capt Krishna Kumar, who was the war time Navigational Leader of No 35 Sqn ( Rapiers ),at Agra. He passed away at his residence at Old Rajpur Road, early last morning. He was cremated the same afternoon. He was 84.He was generally of good health and cheer. Though past 80, he maintained a reasonable good health throughout his latter years. A week back he had a long telephonic chat with Dilip Bhagwat, attended a Diwali party a day earlier, where he thoroughly enjoyed himself. He even escorted his wife to the Doctors clinic when she was suffering a minor disorder. All was well till he breathed his last at 1 in the morning.Krishna was noted for his good cheer and the regularity with which he took part in all Veteran related activities. He was a true soldier, and never flinched in the face of the googlies of life.Looking back at the life and times of Krishna Kumar. He was born in Jul 34 in Shamshabad, Agra District, educated at St John's Agra and joined No 6 JSW in Clementown, Dehradoon. He was commissioned with 10th Nav in Jan 56. He was a thorough war veteran having taken active part in 62, 65 & 71 operations . He was a Comd Examiner on Canberras, commanded 251 SU in Agra in the mid 70s and was Stn Cdr of the Missile base at Rajokri in the early 80s. He hung up his boots in Jul 86 and settled in the City of Taj, Agra. A wonderful person full of life and a gentleman to the core.So much has been said of Kumar's genius & quirks that it would have frankly embarrassed the man. But at precisely 1225pm on Monday 5 November 2018, he let the world see the real essence of his persona.. As his lanky frame left his house for the final time and for the first time horizontally, after family, friends and well wishers bade a tearful goodbye. It struck not a few who had assembled, that here was a true great of the profession of arms, for 40 yrs the devoted serviceman, not being majestically carried out from a giant bungalow or an expansive farmhouse but being carried carefully from a modest home in tony east Agra .A man with a brilliant mind, determination and undying passion for aviation, a maverick who lived by his own rules of right or wrong, never afraid to explore frontiers far ahead of his peer group, a man who could have achieved fame and fortune but didn't care; he has left us quietly. He leaves behind his sorrowful wife Shobha and children Mandakini, Pankaj a serving Colonel and Nandini. |
