By Urja Shah
It was 21st April 1943, Maymyo, a city in north Burma, a 16 years old young girl working in a military hospital, as a nurse. In front of her lay, wounded soldiers fighting against death. One of them tells her, "मैडम, हमारे घर वालों को हमारा संदेश देना." (Madam, please give our message to our family members.) Another soldier tells her, "बेहनजी, हमे जलदी ठीक करो, हमे वापस लडने जाना है." (Sister, treat us soon, we want to go back to fight.) The sirens start ringing; the enemy planes drop bombs in the camp area. Her ears go numb; she goes blank. All she can see is debris. The building she lived in turned into a wreck; she could see many dead bodies. She had a near-death experience. This nurse was Rama Khandwala, born in 1926, a freedom fighter, a nurse. She was fondly called Rama ben (Sister Rama.) She was only 16 years old when she joined the Indian National Army's first female regiment- Rani Jhansi Regiment. Her father was a jeweler and her mother a recruiting officer of the INA. As a kid, she was brought up in an affluent family, and suddenly, she was exposed to the heart-wrenching battlefield. She was trained under the direct supervision of Netaji Subash Chandra Bose. She was given duties in the camp on rotation and had to do anything and everything. She underwent training so arduous mentally, physically, and emotionally that she felt as if she matured overnight. Each person in the camp was breathing in patriotism with only one motive in their mind and hearts- to win the independence of India. The motto 'Do or Die' was imbibed in their bodies. The lessons of servitude and discipline have always been her companion for life. The Second World War was over, and in December 1946, she returned to India. She took up a job as a secretary in a private firm. Even though the war was over, देश के लिऐ कुछ करने की लौ अभी भी जिंदा थी. (The flame of doing something for the country was still alive.)
She came across an advertisement by the Indian Tourist Department- 'Tourists guides needed, foreign language speakers preferred.' With her previous years in Rangoon, she had learned the Japanese language during the war. So, this looked like an excellent opportunity for her. She worked as a guide through the weekends; it inspired her to make some contribution to the country. It was then that she found the purpose of her life. Netaji's words resonated in her ears, "आप हमे खून दौ, हम आपको आजा़दी देंगे." (You give us blood, we will provide you freedom.) She still lives her life with these words. She wanted to show the tourists the best in India- the culture, history, and true essence.
She believes 'Soch and Approach, are two things that can change your life. Rama ben's 'Soch and Approach' were utterly different. Her motto was to welcome a stranger and send back a friend. She never said no to any assignment. Be it severe weather conditions or the remotest of the areas. Any assignment and Rama ben was always a call away.
Rama Khandwala, received the National Award for the Best Tourist Guide, on 27th September 2015. She says tourists of different countries have taught her humility and discipline. The job of a tourist guide is of continuous learning. She has gained knowledge about places, history, and more importantly about people. Netaji's words and her rigorous military training is what framed her life. She developed an attitude of gratitude, and she is thankful to God for giving her opportunities to fight for and serve the nation. Even at 94, she is learning how to use social media so that she can video chat with her loved ones.
