But here are some nautically nostalgic memories of the man - a thorough gentleman. Mrs Indira Gandhi had embarked onboard INS Mysore in Madras to go to Port Blair, less than 48 hours away. On the first night she dined with the Admiral and Flag Captain. The second night was free and after dinner she sent word that she would like to meet the officers in the Wardroom. The talk was stilted initially but soon the fetters began to give way and someone even asked her why we were not being allowed to marry foreigners when her son was about to do so. She smiled, and said that it helped that her son was not in the navy.

Our pompous guest in the Wardroom of INS Brahmaputra was waxing eloquent about his frequent trips to the UK adding that on his latest, Rajiv was in the next seat. He hadn't recognised him but (rather superciliously, no doubt) told him that since his car would be meeting him at Palam, he would happily offer a lift to the young collegian. 'No thank you, my grandfather is coming too' was the modest reply. And lo and behold, it was Panditji himself (also a Trinity man!) who came for his dear grandson.

Here is another example of Rajiv's extreme modesty. At the DG Club bar when I asked Capt Baveja if he had known Rajiv in the IA "We shared a car pool and on my way from Jor Bagh I picked him up from the P.M.'s house. He was always on time, waiting at the gate of 1 Safdarjang, with a 'good morning Sir' greeting".

Finally this, about my Cabinet Secretariat, Military Wing office in the South Block overlooking the PM's Office courtyard. We, military officers had just got over the 3-day vigil over Indiraji's body at Teen Murti House. And then, suddenly it was an unforgettable sight for me when Rajiv joined the PMO that morning for his first day in office. He arrived in his chocolate-coloured jeep with himself at the wheel. A picture which may not be seen ever again. But of course, that practice was immediately stopped, in fact the same day, by his security.

Mukund B Kunte