Good Morning
India.....
"Memories"
When as a second
Lieutenant after the India Pakistan War of 1971, our unit had yet to be be
pulled back in 1972, from our war zone deployment. After early breakfast as
usual in our underground bunker mess at Patti in Punjab, all 4 of us youngsters
in the Signal Regiment used to gather around a small transistor (Radio receiver
as it was then known). Without fail every day as a prayer. Why? First to listen
to the news in the early morning BBC service
for we did not believe All India Radio as it dished out a lot of crap. Second
to listen to the Voice of America breakfast show host "Pat Gates".
She was truly amazing. What made our day was the way she would end the program
so lustily "If you see somebody without a smile today give them one of
yours", and that truly made our day............
Celebrated Voice of
America Breakfast Show host Pat Gates Lynch died after a struggle with cancer
on 04 Dec 2011 at her home in Fort Belvoir retirement community. . From the
mid-50s until the seventies then later again after a small gap, Pat served as
host and interviewer on the VOA Worldwide English Breakfast Show, The daily
news-and-interview program was heard by tens of millions of listeners around
the world. . She interviewed presidents, prime ministers and many famous
figures in the arts and music during those years. Long-time VOA listeners will
remember Pat Gates' signature sign-off. She'd thank you for listening, and then
remind you, "if you see someone without a smile, give him one of
yours." This is Pat Gates signing off.
Sometimes one
remembers things which happened years and years ago from the mists of time as
if it was just yesterday. I am sure Techie Anand, Pandit Sharma (no more) and
Viru Sareen will always remember those days of being subalterns, and the sweet
voice of Pat Gates which filled us with total positivity to face the grind of a
war torn unit every day..
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