This year marks the birth centenary of Admiral Jal Cursetji (May 20, 1919-January 29, 1991, pictured) who was independent India’s ninth Chief of the Naval Staff. When I was a young lieutenant in the Indian Navy, my impression of Cursetji was that of a soft-spoken, articulate officer and gentleman.
In 1967-68 Cursetji held the rank of Captain and had just assumed command of the aircraft carrier INS Vikrant. He visited our squadron INAS 300 at INS Hansa, Dabolim, Goa to meet the flyer boys of the squadron. I was nominated as liaison officer for the duration of his short stay in......