“Rustamji’s ringside...”

The review of the book The British, The Bandits and The Bordermen, From the Diaries and Articles of K. F. Rustamji edited by P. V. Rajgopal ("Rustamji’s ringside revelations,” Books, Parsiana, June 21, 2010) revived special memories of a great human being whom I was privileged to serve under from 1969 to 1973.

The review highlights many interesting episodes of his experiences as a policeman, besides providing insights about his multi-faceted personality. I would like to share my experiences of having served directly under him in the Border Security Force (BSF). While interacting with Rustamji I was amazed by his grasp of any situation, irrespective of the field, and dealing with it in a clear and swift way. His foresight in setting up the BSF from scratch with limited resources saw him first rely on recruiting technical personnel like those in the electronic, automobile, communication, rocketry, architecture and medical fields, in addition to personnel to man the borders and providing them with infrastructure and other requirements.

I have a distinct memory of his farsighted vision when, in 1972, the central government decided to hold the First International Trade Fair at Delhi’s Pragati Maidan on the very site where the First Asian Trade Fair had been held in 1950. The structures put up earlier had remained untouched. Orders for their immediate demolition were issued but no central agency was willing to take up the work because of the limited time given.

On hearing about this problem Rustamji met the Prime Minister and volunteered to take up the challenge on one condition — that he would take all the salvaged material for use in setting up the infrastructure for his Force.

As a fresh young architect with hardly any experience I was included in the team sent for site evaluation and later headed the design team for reusing the salvaged material as best we could. With his personal involvement and proper coordination all schemes were discussed, finalized and executed resulting in four major training institutes coming up in Gwalior, Hazaribagh, Indore and Bangalore where his men were trained.

Rustamji envisaged many innovative welfare schemes like benevolent funds, housing, health care units, schools and welfare centers for the personnel, their families and people in the surrounding areas. His encouragement to sportsmen was phenomenonal and many Indian greats owe their success to him. At one time there were eight members of the BSF in the Indian Olympics hockey team, including the captain. Thanks to the incentives and encouragement provided, sportsmen in all fields became the face of the Force.

Rustamji’s scholarly approach, fair play and clear vision endeared him to everyone. His very presence inspired awe and respect. A man of few words, I never saw him lose his cool or admonish anyone; one of his cold stares was sufficient to express his displeasure!

Since I was one of the few Parsis serving under him he was always gracious in keeping tabs on me and my work.

He was truly an icon, respected, admired and an inspiration to those privileged to serve under him.

P. P. NAZIR

Nagpur

diltush@gmail.com