Abdus Salam Khan

From:Abdus Salam Khan abdus_salam745@hotmail.com 

Ons 3 feb,2016 at 19:34

To: Irshad ullah Khan Baber,Sajjad.

War ended on two dates: VE (Victory in Europe) date was 1945 VJ (Victory in Japan) date was 1946. When I was a midshipman (equivalent to a 2nd Lt. of the army) onboard the H.M.S. Illustrious (aircraft carrier) it was being used for daily exercise in the Solent  (off Portsmouth) for landing Harrier jets, a very novel and new addition to sea warfare. The date was 1948.Mine was a very unique case; I had joined the Navy as a midshipman in 1945, promoted to Sub Lt ( I have a commission document signed by Field Marshal Lord Wavel, Viceroy of India to this effect),released from the Navy in 1946 and re-engaged as a trainee officer in the regular navy (Royal Indian Navy) as a result of an All-India competitive exam held by FPSC (Federal Public Service Commission), New Delhi, being the only Muslim out of four,(Bahl, Misra and Sawhney),in 1946. We were sent by ship to U.K. for six years of training. Bahl later married Nutan and became a film producer. Sawhney was sent back for lack of OLQs.I am sending a copy of this to Irshadullah, who is requested to kindly send a copy of his memorable note on Abbaji (Muhammad Yaqub Khan) when he first went to U.K.  in the fifties.

Remember that Abbaji invested his entire provident fund amounting to Rs 3400 as parental contribution required by the government. So, when the Anjuman retired him heartlessly in 1948, he was penniless; He and Yousaf shifted in to Boarding House room of Muslim High School Lahore, and the rest of the family was lodged with relatives (Dr Basharat Ahmad´s bungalow in Muslim Town Lahore).

But then Allah showed his hand: he was engaged by the C&MG (The Civil & Military Gazette – founded in 1872) as Associate Editor, was allotted 17 G Model Town Lahore, six kanal bungalow on a nominal rent of Rs.25 P.M., was soon promoted to Chief Editor and Managing Director when F.W. Bustin, the British editor retired in 1953, being the first Indian to occupy a chair and table that bore the inscription ”Rudyard Kipling used to work here” (1883-1889).

He also bought a car and learnt how to drive at that advanced age.

What a memorable legacy!

Lots of prayers

Ma’moon