We were hardly a week in Mamyo when Netaji, before going to the front to inspect the troops of Azad Hind Fauj , came on a flying visit essentially to meet the girls and encourage them.

After inspecting their parade and briefly addressing them, he came to the advance headquarters of supreme command of the Azad Hind Fauj . I happened to be the seniormost officer in the station that day. He inquired of me as to whether we had any problem or difficulty. He directed me to immediately follow him to the place where he was halting for a couple of hours. As I reached the bunglow( of an Indian resident) lunch was announced.

Netaji caught me by the arm and took me for lunch
(a rare honour for an insignificant junior officer). He sat at the head of the table and made me sit next to him on the right. The top brass of the INA including two Generals, four colonels and other senior officers took their seats thereafter.

Whatever food was served to Netaji, he would first put it in my thali and then in his own. On being informed that I had come from Singapore with the detachment of Rani Jhansi Regiment, he very inquisitively enquired from me the details of the trip and listened to me patiently almost throughout the meal.

After lunch I apprised him of our problem regarding shortage of rations including that for the detachment of Rani Jhansi Regiment. His directions brought sufficient rations by the next morning.

As I saluted him and was about to depart, a siren sounded indicating the approach of British bombers. Everybody ran for the trenches except Netaji.

Netaji despite pleading by INA officers and others present, came out of the bungalow and stood in clear view of the bombers, undaunted by the danger of bullets and bombs.

Only after the bombers were out of sight, did Netaji go inside and the others came out of the trenches.