Two eminent personalities have written comments on colonel Ganesan's book It is posted here.

Sweating even in snowfields.

               ( Antarcric experiences of a wintering Station Commander.)

         Colonel P.Ganesan,V S M

 This book was originally published in Tamil by M/S Palaniappa Bros in 2007.In these 13 years it is possible that more editions would have come.However the author decided to bring an English version with little improvements.

The Author-the book.An introduction.

By

Mr.C K Gopalakrishnan,B.E.

Chief Engineer, P W D (Retd )

         This book is a compilation of a single assignment experience of a highly patriotic and dedicated military officer who was physically strong and mentally robust. An event  creates different  impact on different people’s mind. Because people are not of the same caliber. Every human being comes with different socio, economic, educational back ground and different expectations in life. So their understanding and approach to a particular assignment  is bound to be different.

            A military officer was allotted land in the Madras metro Politian Development scheme for construction of house in 1977 in the Annanagar Development  scheme. He was somewhere in the western border of india. After a gap of 5 years the Tamilnadu Govt issued notices to all the allottees to immediately start construction or else the allotment would be cancelled. One fine morning a military officer came to me seeking procedures for house construction. And that was then Major P. Ganesan. (Now Colonel )

          The very first introductory meeting itself was sufficient to understand this absolutely straight forward  and upright officer. He was in PWD of Tamilnadu  Govt  early in 1961-63 and had very unpleasant experience in service. He threw the salary into the flowing river and had resigned his job. Fortunete for this country that he was reminded of the National Emergency in the country after the brutal Chinese  attack and was persuaded by his superiors to join the Army. That was a turning point in his life.

            Very active, fine sportsman playing all type of games  and  highly patriotic person  getting  into Army service was like a fish being led into deep sea. No doubt  that he had demonstrated new dimensions to officership  in the Army. His past experience and great love for this country led him to the selection as Station commander of Indian Antarctic Research station, Dakshingangotri.

               From the day of selection in April-May 1987 till the day of departure from this country in November 1987,Ganesan had six months time to interact with earlier expedition members, go through old files, documents and to select and settle his family. With all these he was to hand over command of his beloved 4 Engineer Regiment. His preparation went on smoothly. and he had mentally lived in Atarctica before even boarding the ship.

Guidelines for Expedition Members.

              Department of ocean Development, New Delhi under ministry of science and technology was co ordinating Indian Antarctic expeditions.National Institute of Oceanography,Goa was a base for all such activities.The Govt had prepared a hand book about programme of activities for the 7 th Antarctic Expedition and 5 th  winter team. Ganesan was Dy Leader of 7 th Expedition and commander of 5 th winter team. The ship will sail from Goa and stay in Atarctica for about two months and leave the 5 th winter team in isolation and return with the 4 th winter team who would have finished their about 480 days of wintering.

             The winter team selected will make sure that  all their personal requirements are met and at the same time ensure stores and equipments are carried for completion of their programme.

Co ordination Meetings.

     Number of co ordination meetings were held before departure of the expedition.The strength of winter and summer teams depends upon the task ahead .The strength of winter team will always be restricted to the accommodation available at wintering station.All these details are based on the feed back the department gets from Dakshingangotri. Unfortunately  no leader was willing to bell the cat.The wintering stations was commissioned in Feb 1984 and since then year after year modifications,improvements or life saving alterations were carried out and this was not updated by the Derpartment.Ganesan was briefed and given direction all based on 1984 details only.

The Reality.

                      With all fanfare, farewell  and Parting messages the 7 th Antarctic expeditin left Goa on 25 th Nov 1987.They reached Antarctic coast on 21 Dec1987.Ganesan had given detailed account of the sailing and activities in the ship.It is worth reading the philosophical quotes and great Indian literature quotes Ganesan uses at appropriate places.

         When the ship captain announced the reaching of  Atarctic coast Ganesan ran to the Bridgeboard of the ship and had  the first look of the greatest mystery of the earth. 14.5 million sq km totally covered by ice  without any landmarks. The next day Three members, the Expedition leader .Dy leader, and pilot of MI-4 Navy helicopter took off  for Dakshin gangotri to greet the 4 th wintering Leader.

                       There Ganesan was shocked to see the reality.The authorities have fooled the members and the Nation by not exposing the real Antarctic conditions. The Station was fully buried in ice and a life saving escape shaft had been constructed for the members to go in and out. Ganesan Had an option to fight with the authorities. But then he will miss a great lifelong opportunity to demonstrate to all Indian members and to the world about  “how to conduct an wintering at Antarctica “.So he made silent oath and promised to his own conscience that his wintering would open the eyes of all those involved in Antarctic Expeditions.

Colonel Pavadai Ganesan  arrives  at Antarctica.

        History is nothing but collection of Yesterday’s events suitably weaved. Autobiographies may give the true picture of one’s own mind and its reactions to events and situations. Emotional feelings of an individual can best be recorded by himself only provided he had the intelligence and expressive capacity. However people of same frequency of mind can interact better. Throughout  the book Ganesan had given wonderful  messages from the angle of a citizen who whole heartedly loving this country and his fellow beings.

              Expedition of a National mission cannot be taken like any other assignment. Firstly the authorities in charge of such missions should be highly dedicated for the improvement of this country and truthful to himself  to deliver the goods. Promises made are to be fulfilled or deeply regretted if it could not be carried out. There cannot be any politics in full filling National mission. But unfortunately after independence politics entered  in every walk of life. A highly patriotic Military officer can under no circumstances serve peacefully under a political leader who has no National ambition.

                  Ganesan’s wintering starts in an unusual circumstances. We all know that thoughts are dynamic and vital; It is creative and changes conditions.There are ample proofs in this book to show that.The 7 th Expedition leaves the continent without a Farewell meeting with the wintering members who are going to be in total isolation for the next one year or so. But the winter team welded with their leader to create history for the posterity.

Wintering activities.

              On the day the winter team received message that the summer team leaving the continent without meeting them  Ganesan holds a ‘”open mind” MEETING OF HIS WINTER TEAM ANG GIVES OUT HIS YEAR LONG EXPECTED PRORAMME.He gave in writing an assurance to all members that he will be totally dedicated to the safety,honour of all members.He assures that each member’s family will be taken care in india with his personal influence and contacts so that the members will be free to concentrate on their works.There is no wonder that one of the member from J&K who did not have even a telephone contact was in uncontrolled tears when he spoke to all his family members for 23 mts.More datails can be read in the book.

        In all the 5 th winter team functioned like a well maintained machine without any disturbance.It is an excellent narrative in the book.

The milestones of 5 th winter team.

                  From the day of departure at Goa till they landed back on the same port after their wintering Ganesan has brought out excellent record of activities.The Engineer –in –Chief of the Indian Army Lt Gen P S Rai who selected him for the Antarctic mission had sent an official letter in appreciation of Ganesan’s work and mentioned  that  “your service to the Nation will go down in the annals of history and you have added another glorious feather to the Corps of Engineers “ .The 5 th winter team had conducted an International inspection of our station and got tremendous appreciation from the leader of the inspecting team Dr A N Chellingaro,Dy Chairman U S S R Committee of Hydrometerogy.

 Ganesan  also had done “Para Sailing “at Antarctica and became first man in the world to have done so.

Conclusion.

                  Adventure activities about Antarctica had been going on since 1819 and many records have been created. There are many books in English.But This book will stand out as a testimony for the present day youth.It is worth keeping this book as Non detail to a main course.

              I wish Colonel Ganesan long life and success.

                                      

Chennai-600 102                                                           C K Gopalakrishnan.

(Mr.C K Gopalakrishnan is 1927 born graduate of Guindy Engineering college of 1947 batch. Professionally highly competent Officer. when he was serving as chief Engineer ,P W D selected by the then Chief Minister M G Ramachandran as Managing Director of Pallavan Transport corporation. He retained this appointment for 9 years with an assurance from CM that No politicians should enter his office.)

 

 

                            FORWARD

S. Subramanian I A S

                Colonel Ganesan is known to me for the last about 20 years.He was allotted a housing plot in M M D A Annanagar scheme,and it was very close to my living. Before starting construction, whenever he came on leave from his military station he used to visit me for few minutes and exchange views on general matters. After starting his house construction he used to come on long leave and had spent considerable time with us.

             I was extremely happy when I came to know that he is going on a National Mission to Antarctica,a right selection by the Govt. To the best of my knowledge Ganesan is an outstanding Army Officer, physically,mentally and psychologically a patriotic soldier. I was very sure that his leadership would certainly bring great honour to this country.

           There was news about his departure as part of 7 th Antarctica Expedition.His wintering activities were not known to the world. Ganesan and his 5 th winter team had spent about 480 days at the Icy Continent and returned along with 8 th Expedition in March 1989.After settling down he came one day  and spent hours with me and my family explaining about his wintering. It was really thrilling when we saw the videos and heard Ganesan’s emotional narratives. I thought that this must be presented to a wider audience. I was president of a Public Administration Forum where senior serving and retired officers are members.

      A meeting was organized .It was Presided by Secretary, P W D of  Govt of Tamilnadu.  Ganesan  started with narration of an incident at Antarctica.

“The new team to releave Ganesan’s team came to Antarctica and brought some gifts and letters from the families of Ganesans  team. A brother of one member from Maharashtra had written to him.He was very proud that his brother had gone to Antarctica. But he had not come home for a long time.he requested him to take leave for at least two days and come home from Antarctica.

                   All the members had a great laugh. Ganesan was stiff and emotion choked voice started speaking.

        Gentlemen,I could not laugh on this.Every one may not be aware about Our country’s mission to Antarctica. but it is a matter of shame that even educated youth are not aware about the where about of Antarctica, leave alone knowing about winter team activities. So I  Made it a point to create an awareness amongst my fellow countrymen about what  India is doing at Antarctica.That is why I am standing in front of you.

           Ganesan spoke for about 45 mts.The audience were spell bound.

         This book is not just a compilation of events.but an emotional outburst of a highly patriotic Army Officer who had close acquaintance of casual and lethargic way a National mission is carried out.

The National spirit

              On reaching Antarctica Ganesan was clear that the organizing authorities were far beyond the realities. He had planned in greater details about wintering. .His close and detailed studies of great expedition leaders like R F Scott, Shackleton,and Amundsen had given him the courage and confidence that he will certainly create history inspite of all odds. So he kept himself controlled till taking over the Leadership of the wintering station. The Antarctic weather was unusual and this also helped Ganesan to understand the forth coming Polar nights.

The Wintering

                     Ganesan had complete control of the situation when the summer team left Antarctic coast. The members were in total agreement with their leader. All Ganesan’s creative ideas and inspiring talks were put in use. It is obvious that “The Fearless Fifteen ‘”(It is a 15 member winter team ) had all the enthusiasm and spirit of adventure to complete their mission.

                  The wintering activities narrated in the book reveals to the readers that the team which was in total isolation from the entire world  had an excellent outings and did not have even a bit of home sick or personal grievances. The entire credit goes to the team leader who was an out standing sports person and a great psychologist. His approach to each individuals and setting up the daily routine  are of greatly accepted by the team. Their co operation and whole hearted support to the leader is the secret of their success. The rescue mission of the scientist who was lost in a blizzard is certainly a miracle and it shows that the cosmic force is behind their every activities.

The arrival of 8 th Expedition

            During the wintering period Ganesan  had kept on giving feed back to Department of ocean Development, New Delhi and certainly pointed out their wrong decisions. This had irritated them as no one is willing to accept their mistakes. But the sufferers  are winter team members. Hence Ganesan had no hesitation in calling a spade as spade. With the result the new team was briefed to keep Ganesan at distance. But Ganesan as a true leader and loves this country had given reception to the 8 th expedition which was unheard in Indian Antarctic missions. The Indian National Flag was flying at a height of 200 feet.M S Subbulakshmi’s “suprabhatham “was playing on a speaker outside the station. The new team was wonder struck  on seeing the arrangements.

                   The new team leader Dr.Abhinav Sengupta spoke to secretary D O D Delhi about the excellent reception and expressed that Colonel Ganesan is a jewell of this country.I will leave it to the readers for further comments.

 The Return and after effects.

                On his return Ganesan was posted as Battalion Commander M E G & Centre,Bangalore.It was a historical move to organize President’s “Colour Presentation Parade “ in the 210  years history of M E G. Ganesan was the DY Parade Commander.

Conclusion.

          The book gives ample evidences that a capable man cannot be sidelined by any external  force.Ganesan had proved that human being capability is beyond any measurement. When his recommendation for a Presidents award was repeatedly turned down the retired Engineer- in –Chief wrote a letter to the Chief of Army Staff .It ends with a request that “Not recognizing the services of Colonel Ganesan would amounts to travesty of justice.”

                The Defence secretary K A Nambiar had sent a telegramme to col Ganesan on 25 th Jan 1994 that the President is pleased to award”Vashisht Seva Medal” for distinguished service. The readers recognition would be a greater award I think.

        This book should be widely made available for the youth of this country so that they could develop themselves for a greater Nation Building activities.

 

                                                                                        S .Suramanian I A S  (Retd )