In my view, the Indian Navy has had two iconic leaders, Admirals Ronnie Pereira and Russi Ghandhi, colleagues and contemporaries, both tall, handsome and striking personalities with loads of charisma, and both Gunnery specialists. Yet there was a difference- Ronnie Pereira could be compared to a popularly elected President whereas Russi Ghandhi was more like a benevolent monarch.
While in service, I knew Ronnie Pereira well as I served as his Fleet Communications Officer when he was commanding the Eastern Fleet and through golf, I had almost no personal contact with Russi Ghandhi. But stories about him were always circulating particularly when he was commanding the frigate Betwa. Another source was Vinnie Mama, a Gunner and impressive personality himself, who knew and admired both Russi and Ronnie. One had also seen photos of Russi as the smart ADC to Lord Mountbatten, Governor General of India, at the Independence ceremonies in 1947. And in 1958, when we were cadets on the training ship Tir, Russi was commanding the frigate Cauvery which accompanied us on a cruise to Singapore and Malaysia.
Adm Ghandhi had the distinction of being the only officer to have commanded a ship during all three wars after Independence. During the liberation of Goa, he was Commanding Officer (CO) of Betwa which sank the ship Afonso de Albuquerque and hastened the Portuguese surrender. In 1965, he was CO Khukri and during the 1971 war, he commanded the cruiser and flagship of the Western Fleet, Mysore, and was awarded the Vir Chakra. After commanding both Eastern and Western Fleets and the Western Naval Command, he was in the run to become Chief of the Naval Staff but the government could not ignore Adm Pereira. Unlike what we saw in latter years in case of competing rivals, there was no bad blood between Ronnie Pereira and Russi Ghandhi who remained on good terms and the latter happily went on to be the head of Shipping Corporation of India and then Governor of Himachal Pradesh.
His personality earned him Hollywood recognition and he starred in the movie, "Sea Wolves". Based on a true story of an operation during WW II, the film featured Russi Ghandhi in the role of Governor General of Goa. The film had a star-studded cast with Gregory Peck, Roger Moore, David Niven and Trevor Howard. Adm Ghandhi also provided technical guidance for the naval action in the movie.
I never heard any officer speaking of both Ronnie and Russi on anything but glowing terms. Officers who served under them loved them. Both possessed charisma, commanded respect and were models of honesty and integrity. Sailors on their ships adored them and displayed high morale as brought out by the fact that their ships would always win the prestigious Fleet Pulling Regatta. I wonder what would have happened if their boats were pitted against each other but to the best of my knowledge, they commanded their ships at different times!
My only person to person contact with him was in 1962 when peculiar circumstances resulted in my commanding the destroyer Gomati as a Lieutenant of just about a year's seniority at the age of 23. The ship was non-operational awaiting a refit but it was a great experience to be responsible for men and material at that young age. The Naval Dockyard had a long list of ships awaiting refit after the Goa Liberation War, so finally it was decided to send Gomati to Garden Reach Calcutta. NHQ directed that the ship sail with only a skeleton crew of essential sailors and we were asked by Cdr Russi Ghandhi, Drafting Commander responsible for sailors' appointments, to forward a list of such personnel. Not satisfied with our first reply, Cdr Ghandhi asked me to come and see him. This time, I made out a detailed list marking each sailor at his action stations post in three watches. Cdr Ghandhi was quite impressed and approved our list with a pat on my back.
I was on Gomati when Russi Ghandhi was commanding Betwa and both ships were berthed alongside on the jetty. Cdr Ghandhi, who lived in his own house in Juhu and drove to work in his elegant Jaguar, used to come on board his ship at about 9.30 am, finish the paperwork in his cabin, walk around the ship talking to sailors on work, order his pink gin at 12.30, have his lunch and drive back at 2.30 pm. Nobody minded his coming late or going back early; in fact, he was admired for it with people saying that it was the delegation of responsibilty and trust in his ship's company that was the secret of the ship's efficiency. Far better than captains who thought they must spend hours on board before and after working hours to ensure people did their job!
I wrote this in a 'middle' titled 'Captain's Capers' published in the Times of India on 08 August 2003. I did not use any names but a few days later, received a handwritten letter from Admiral Ghandhi saying he had read the piece. He had made inquiries and succeeded in getting my address. It was a very sweet letter saying that he thought nobody had noticed his comings and goings but my piece revealed that his activities had been watched! He then asked me to introduce myself and I wrote back giving my details including my relationship with Vinnie Mama who he knew well. Thereafter we were in constant touch and he always wrote a very appreciative letter whenever the TOI or Indian Express published my middles.
Those days I was also visiting Bombay quite often thanks to Shumita working there. I always made a point to contact him and he would ask me to come to the US Golf Club where we would sit by the seaside under a palm tree and, dressed in immaculate whites with red socks, he would regale me with his naval anecdotes. At times he and his wife, 'Bubbles', would come to Shumita's apartment for a drink when I would also call another great naval storyteller, Cmde Randhir Malia.
We remained in touch till he passed away on 23 December 2014, exactly nine years ago.
Ronnie Pereira and Russi Ghandhi, two unforgettable iconic leaders of the Indian Navy.
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