As we trekked through the jungles, rations were short. To replenish our energy we were given ladoos and asked to cut bamboo, make a hole in it and fill it with hot water to quench our thirst.

I remember an incident in Rangoon. Netaji was there with us when sirens from enemy bombers rent the sky. Netaji said, "don't worry, the bombs will not fall on us. We shall survive. March ahead without fear. The brave do not die. Only cowards die". Miraculously, as if Netaji's words came true, the bombers flew over us but we were unhurt.

Onwards from Singapore, we had to stop for 10 days in Murgai to reinforce our supplies. In a small boat 300 of us sailed without sleeping and reached Murgai. In our journey, the affection and aid from the Indians boosted our spirits. At Thatton, the Indians received us enthusiastically and urged us to stay with them and have food with them.

While in Murgai, as we set forth in a motorboat, the British bombers damaged our boat but by Netaji' s and God's grace, we survived.

For us Netaji was like God. His speech had electrifying power and sent strength coursing through our veins. We were ready to overlook all adversities. Even if he had asked us to survive on water only, we would have done so unquestioningly.

He was absolutely unbiased and erased the Hindu-Muslim divide. The INA spirit was an inspiring ideal and it was like being in heaven.

After the battle
After our retreat in 1945, when the Japanese forces surrendered to the Allies, we were put into concentration camps by the British. And when discharged, we were issued character certificates: I was put into the light gray category.

The four categories the Britishers divided us into were: Black cat, gray cats, light gray cats and white cats.

These divisions were made according to the units we were divided into: The front line fighters on the battle field were generally put into the black cat category considered as dangerous as they had killed many enemies on the battle field. The second in line sent in to reinforce the front line unit when the men were injured or recuperating were put into the second grey cats category.

Those handling ordnance,supplies, vehicles were categorised as light gray cats. And the fourth division, white cats comprised those who were illiterates or labourers and often those who had joined the INA only on a temporary basis as war time recruits.

(Capt. K.L Bali was officer-in-charge of the crucial central spare parts depot and officer-in-charge, fighting vehicles census branch in the Azad Hind Fauj. This unit supports the forces with vehicles and spare parts)