Interaction with Russians for MiG-27 work at different levels

I have had interaction with Russians for quite some time at different levels. It was to be expected because HAL Nashik was manufacturing and overhauling Russian MiG-27 fighter planes for the Indian Air Force. When I had joined in 1967, the Russians with whom I had interaction were from the shop floor – most of them were technicians and specialists in their own trades. Hence, the interactions were of technical nature.
Later, when I was in Customer Services department, the interaction was at a much senior level and involved more of tact and finesse in nit being bunt but conveying our feelings in a manner that would not be offensive.

The term coined for extending customer services to the fleet of MiG-27 aircraft was ‘exploiting’ – why such a term was used and accepted by all the parties namely the IAF, HAL as well as the Russians is still a mystery. As per signed contracts, Russia had to supply some Technical Kits for supporting the aircraft in the field. The end use of most of the items was for maintenance of the aircraft by the IAF. As a part of my involvement, I had to confirm receipt status of items, their completeness and serviceability. Therefore, the interaction with the Russians was clearly defined.
But, problems would arise when the Indian bosses had to liaise with the Russian bosses.
In those days, there used to be 6-monthly review of the status alternating between India and Russia. Therefore, when it was the turn for meeting in Russia, there used to be a mad rush to provide every conceivable information to the bosses before they left. It was the era of telexes and faxes and direct contact meant STD calls taking into account the time difference.
And, in this respect, one of these bosses used to be a terror. He would leave on a Monday and the previous Saturday and Sunday would see everyone on the edge.
In contrast, there was another boss who called over all associated officers after lunch on the Saturday. He would be in his chamber with the last recorded details of the meeting in front of him. He would ask pointed questions on the officers and make notes in the margin. And – it would all be over before pack up. He would leave, a satisfied man – we would go home happy at not having to come back on Sunday. (to be continued ..)

A few more must reads -

Nashik Kumbhmela 2015 – a once in 12-years pilgrimage

Trip to Nashik should take in Shirdi and the Ajanta and Ellora caves

Nashik, a tourist center with links to the epic Ramayana

Nashik, a tourist center with links to the Mahabharata

Kumbhmela 2015 in Nashik – guided tours to wineries and vineyards

Nashik transforms from a place of pilgrimage to an industrial hub

EU realizes the curse of plastic carry bags – to banish the bags

100 cities in India would turn into Smart Cities

Pet Pomeranians of Surat married off, 500 wedding guests enjoy the feast

Woman kills her husband because of his dark complexion

Baltimore on fire as protest over death of a black youth in police custody spirals out of control

‘Papri’ and ‘Barood’ - collection of Bengali short stories published from Nashik

British Army wants computer whizzkids to counter the growing menace of ISIS propaganda


Another interesting blog - Citizen Journalist

Another interesting blog - Violence and atrocities

From Hindon, the venue shifted to Chandigarh

After completing a study of the aircraft held at the base at Hindon, it was decided that we shift our area of operation to Air Force Station Chandigarh where some more aircraft were available. Accordingly, I decided to travel by bus from New Delhi to Chandigarh while my Russian specialist chose to fly down with his friend from HAL Koraput.
I still had one set of change of clothes and, I knew that I would have to manage with those in Chandigarh because I would have to put up in the Air Force mess where I would not have the luxury of a room boy to keep my clothes cleaned and ironed very day.

The journey was a pleasant one because the bus was air-conditioned and it halted at a wonderful eating joint where the food was delicious. There was a small body of water in the garden and it added to the atmosphere.
From the Chandigarh bus stand I took a cycle rickshaw to go to the Air Force station and on the way I passed the ITBP (Indo Tibetan Border Police) headquarters – it was scorching hot and there was a guard standing at attention just below the national flag. He stood like a statue with nit a muscle twitching on his face in spite of the heat all around him.
Anyway, I arrived at the mess, and next morning met the officers, explained the purpose of my visit and started the work. They had already got necessary briefing from Air Head Quarters and as the day progressed we were joined by our Russian experts.
The number of aircraft here was less and, hence, we were able to complete the assessment within a couple of days. And, then, it was back to Delhi, debriefing and flying back to Mumbai. Since there was no connecting flight to Nashik I hired a prepaid cab from Mumbai airport and landed up at Nashik. (to be continued …)

A few more must reads -

Nashik Kumbhmela 2015 – a once in 12-years pilgrimage

Trip to Nashik should take in Shirdi and the Ajanta and Ellora caves

Nashik, a tourist center with links to the epic Ramayana

Nashik, a tourist center with links to the Mahabharata

Kumbhmela 2015 in Nashik – guided tours to wineries and vineyards

Nashik transforms from a place of pilgrimage to an industrial hub


Pattern of death changing in India – heart and lung related diseases are top killers

Stray dogs attend funeral of Mexican woman who fed them

Nationwide ban on cow slaughter on the cards says Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh

Health tips – lose weight without dieting

Auckland girl sweet talks thief to return stolen mobile phone

Anchovies can boost good cholesterol and reduce risk factors of the heart

Another interesting blog - Violence and atrocities

Another interesting blog - Citizen Journalist

TD in Delhi of three days turned out to be one of 30-days

This was one TD that I would never want to be repeated. It was supposed to be a TD of three days in New Delhi in the month of June – and it turned out to be one of 30-days!!
The work was related to the induction of a new variant of MiGs by the Indian Air Force – the aircraft had been supplied by HAL Nashik and the engines mounted on them were supplied by HAL Koraput. Since Nashik supplied the aircrafts mounted with the Koraput engine, and since the problem pertained to engine, a team was sent to the Air Head Quarters in New Delhi to discuss with them and resolve the issue.

I had to go along with a Russian specialist and it was a TD of three day’s duration. Air passage was authorized from Nashik to Delhi and back and I left with a change of clothes packed in an attaché case.
The outward journey was uneventful. The fight from Nashik to Mumbai took around 45-minutes. We got down at Mumbai, had some snacks and boarded the flight to Delhi. At Delhi airport, there was a vehicle and the driver held aloft a placard with HAL Nashik written on it. Locating him was no problem and we went to a hotel where my Russian specialist would stay.
As for me, I took the vehicle to our Guest House in Asian Games village. From there I rang up our Service Engineer who stayed in Hindon. He was expecting me and our Russian specialist and we decided to meet next morning at Air Head Quarters. I asked the driver to report to me next morning by 8.30am.
But the interaction with the Air Force officers did not turn out as I had expected. A Russian specialist had come from Koraput along with a senior officer of Koraput and they remained silent spectators. I had to take the leading part and knowing that Air Force were our customers and the customer is always right, I had to play a crucial role. I had to ensure that things did not go out of hand. (to be continued …)


Another interesting blog - Violence and atrocities

Another interesting blog - Citizen Journalist


A few more must reads -

Nashik Kumbhmela 2015 – a once in 12-years pilgrimage

Trip to Nashik should take in Shirdi and the Ajanta and Ellora caves

Nashik, a tourist center with links to the epic Ramayana

Nashik, a tourist center with links to the Mahabharata

Kumbhmela 2015 in Nashik – guided tours to wineries and vineyards

Nashik transforms from a place of pilgrimage to an industrial hub


Teenage girl of Brighton sat on a needle in a bus and is now getting her blood tested for HIV

Stray dogs attend funeral of Mexican woman who fed them

Nationwide ban on cow slaughter on the cards says Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh

Health tips – lose weight without dieting

Auckland girl sweet talks thief to return stolen mobile phone

Anchovies can boost good cholesterol and reduce risk factors of the heart

Interaction with Russian interpreters

There were Russian specialists in practically all the departments and, whilst there was one specifically meant to advise the General Manager, there were others in the design department, in the workshops, even in the planning departments. The gentleman in the planning department would come every morning with his worksheet to check and record how much work had been completed till then and submit the report to his higher ups.
Along with the Russian specialists were their interpreters – some of them were Russians and some of them were Indians. Moreover, before the actual work began on manufacturing the MiG fighter aircraft, groups of employees who had a diploma in engineering had been given training in Russian language. Most of them were attached to the design department and the planning department where documents would be coming regularly from Russia about updates. These would require to be translated on priority and passed on to the user departments for implementation.
Obviously, there was a fad to learn the language.
Here I must make a mention of one Russian interpreter. She was from one of the earliest batches of Russians who had come to Nashik and, as luck would have it, she fell in love with an Indian boy. It became a scandal of sorts. Then there was another interpreter – she was a Punjabi and had many admirers.
To cater to the Russians, there was a shop in the township dedicated to products that Russians loved – and, there was a Russian Mess where the cooks were trained to cook meals for Russians, the way they love them in their own country. In the initial stages, Russians were not permitted to have their families with them and they relied on the Russian Mess for their meals. Later, the restriction was removed but the mess remained because many of the Russians were bachelors while many of them preferred to live without their families.
For marketing, there would be buses on Sundays and the Russians would go to Deolali. They would roam the streets peering into the shops, do their marketing and return back in the evening. (to be continued …)

Another interesting blog - Violence and atrocities

Another interesting blog - Citizen Journalist

Links to some more interesting stories –


Nashik Kumbhmela 2015 – a once in 12-years pilgrimage

Trip to Nashik should take in Shirdi and the Ajanta and Ellora caves


My Boss wanted me to become a detective

My job interview over a cup of coffee

Train travel to and from Kanpur to Kolkata

I gamble away my month’s earnings before Diwali

I finally join the MiG factory in HAL Nashik