to view and download - Indian Coast Guard

THE AVIATORS OF KAMATH ENCLAVE
My ultimate refuge is my garden swing where I can laze the whole daylong and even ruminate
over philosophical meanderings! One day this serenity of the greenery and peace of the clear sky was
crudely interrupted by a vicious drone. Yes it was the diabolic squadron of mosquitoes! The love and
care with which I raised my garden had obviously gone down the drain. The inexhaustible squadrons
of mossies were just everywhere. Their attack was understandable because I believe it was they who
lived all over the colony and it was us who were in fact encroaching in their space! What a vendetta!
Nonetheless, a proper defensive action in coordination with Indian Foreign Policy towards
treacherous infiltrators of our air space was on its way! Mossies had pervaded my garden, my bedroom
and even my psyche! I talked, dreamt of and spoke only about mossies. Such an attitude was declared
as neurosis by my husband but there was no respite for me. All kinds of ammunition was accessed for
defeating this enemy in the air. This included smoke bombs, i.e. coils which in turn made me acutely
asthmatic. The liquid gas chemical weapon, which ensured “All-out” only to the human kind! The traps
of myriad types, namely mosquito nets, mats, repellant — creams, oils of all obnoxious kinds were
used. The entire family entered the house through the garden side door, in a manner, which might
have appeared to anyone, as of a thief trying to get in through a very narrow opening without making
any noise. Walks in the garden were discontinued straightaway so that the squadron should feel that
the house has been abandoned and go to another address in the colony. Alas, the enemies superiority
was established when we found the family members' delicate skins pocked red all over once a year.
Mossies had sneaked in through the kitchen exhaust vent! This was intolerable and the tempers in the
house flew high with desperation. The entire modern world offensive, surface to sky appeared ineffective
and antiquated! New and clever methods had to be discovered for I just could not bear to hear the
sarcastic note in their drone!
One day my husband revealed that the CORA had bought a weapon of mass destruction for
eliminating these air enemies. The prospects of my relaxing on my garden swing, with a novel, suddenly
appeared like a dream about to come truel My enquiries were many and even before my husband
could talk, I enquired, whether it was a giant semicircular mosquito net to cover the entire Kamath
Enclave! The intended sarcasm could not escape my husband’s ears and I got a stringent look from
him. The unique idea was dumped into the trash dump just outside the colony! Finally an ACK, ACK
was procured. Jokes apart, this machine was meant for making poisonous clouds of gas to choke the
mossies. Much hullabaloo and excitement was generated amongst the kids of the domestic helps
who watched the entire process curiously and scampered like little mice behind the man who wielded
the weapon! Everyone awaited the announcement of the war with baited breath!
A sharp siren like noise came from the machine. Intermittent clouds of smoke were coughed out
by it. The highly confident man behind the machine said ‘Shuhshuh’ with theatrical overtones
gesticulated with pride and waved the spouts long nozzle, It meant that the Mossy squadrons were
75