In 1972, when I was in Indonesia on my UNESCO Mission, I received a Cable from my cousin brother that my mother was very sick and she wanted to see me. So I should reach home the soonest. My headquarters was Jayapura in Irian Jaya, situated at a distance of about 2000 km from Jakarta. I flew from Jayapura to Biak, and was informed that there won’t be any flights to Jakarta for another four days. You can imagine my mental condition. My mother was in her death bed, and I was at Biak, eagerly waiting for a flight to Jakarta, for onward travel to India. Biak, then had only one hotel, where it was not very pleasant to stay. So, I was taking photographs of the sea, and was capturing her different moods at different times of the day. Finally the flight from Jakarta arrived. What an excitement all around ! It was a Garuda flight to leave the next morning. I arrived Jakarta, and was received at the Airport by the UNDP Assistant Administrative Officer, Mr. Deenadayalan. Deena was very popular in the UN circle, because, he knew how to get things done. He was a Malaysian citizen, and was very fluent in Bahasa Indonesia. He put me in Hotel Indonesia. The next morning he and I went to Air India. Mr. Tipnis was the Manager of Air India. Deena told him that somehow, I have to leave for India today by the earliest flight available. Mr. Tipnis was quick to consult the ABC Airways Guide, and it was not easy to put me in a flight. At one moment, his face became bright. He found a Cathay Pacific flight leaving Jakarta within the next three hours. It would take me to Kuala Lumpur, where I would catch a BOAC (British Airways) flight at midnight to Calcutta. Everything was organised. Tipnis took us to Cathay Pacific Office and introduced me to the Manager. The moment he knew that I was from UNESCO, he put me in the First Class with an Economy Class Ticket. He asked Deena and Tipnis to leave me in his care. The comfortable limousin took me to the Airport, and I boarded the plane. Cathay Pacific, being a non-IATA Airline, treated us with drinks and served a fabulous lunch. I had my favourite pre-lunch drink: Gin and Tonic. My co-passenger was a Chinese Gentleman going to Petaling Jaya, a rich suburb of Kuala Lumpur. When he knew that I would have to wait at KL till midnight to catch the BOAC flight to Calcutta, he invited me to his house and offered to drive me to KL for the Calcutta flight. So, he took me to his house, a specious Bungalow, where we had again a delayed lunch. He took me around Petaling Jaya, and offered me a standing invitation to visit him whenever I like. We had a good Chinese dinner and he drove me to KL for the Calcutta flight. I was the lone passenger to board the flight. The Ground Hostess, Ms. Kamalamma, was always with me. She saw my Ticket, and got it endorsed for First Class. The Calcutta flight came. My mother always used to say that because of her good deeds, I won’t face any difficulty anywhere. The Theosophists also say that there are always invisible helpers to help you at the time of ned. The Mother also says the same thing like this. ’’Have trust in him. He will never fail.’’ Finally I arrived Calcutta and took the Train to Cuttack. Reached home in the evening. My mother was in deep Coma. The next morning, when Glucose was administered into her frail arm, she opened her eyes for a moment, saw me, uttered my name, and again went back to Coma. The next morning she passed away.
Thanks to Cathay Pacific, I could be at the bed side of my dieing mother. I am indebted to Cathay Pacific, and shall always say ’’ Long live Cathay Pacific!’’