With head held high
I was put into a concentration camp in Multan. One day, I remember, I was just about to have my breakfast when I was informed that someone was asking for me. I went and saw a panel of three officers. I was ordered to sit down. They had some questions to ask.

"Let me finish my breakfast first," I said,"I thought someone had just come to meet me. I did not know that I was to be questioned. I will be back after after my breakfast," and I walked off nonchalantly.

Back in my room, I proceeded with my breakfast at an unhurried pace. Soon, I was sent a message - let's get over with the inquiry. It will take no time. You can have your breakfast later. But I was not to be dissuaded. "I'll have my breakfast in peace and then come, what is the hurry," I said. And I continued with my breakfast.

But on their repeated insistence, I complied.

Their inquiry was done. But even before it had started I knew the outcome. As anticipated, I was certified a black cat. Bad character. Dangerous.

Moments of fun
The battlefield was our home and the soldiers our family. Even in the midst of war, we had our share of fun and jokes. One of those times, when Netaji had come inspecting the camp, there was a small party in his honour. We were all served wine. I was very pally with the Japanese. When my turn arrived, the Japanese soldier asked me, "Ganeshi how much do you drink?" There were two glasses before me. A wine glass and a bigger glass for water.

I picked up the bigger glass. "This much," I said. The entire unit broke out cheering and clapping. But my officer took offence. I was called and interrogated. "What was the cheering all about?" I explained the whole matter and said the Japanese soldiers are witnesses. Nothing untoward has happened. And the matter died down.

What Netaji meant to us
Once when Netaji came visiting, It was my turn to handle the mess. We were facing a shortage of salt. As soon as I heard that Netaji had come, I came running. Netaji was served food. He asked me about the food. I said, the salt content will is less. I knew it even though I had not tasted it.

Immediately, he asked me to sit with him in the car and started driving. I was scared. What was going to happen. I was happily surprised when he took me to the Japanese rations store and immediately got two bags of salt sanctioned.

He cared for the smallest of our troubles and did his best to provide an immediate remedy to the problem at hand.

His speech from Tokyo, which we heard when we were at the Bidadhari camp in Singapore. "Bharatmata is calling you," he said,..

Tears fill Capt Ganeshi's eyes. He can speak no more...

That is what Subhas Chandra meant to them.

(Capt. Ganeshi Lal was posted in the IInd Intelligence Group as a Group Commander in the Azad Hind Fauj. He was awarded Sher-e-Hind by Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.)