When I Was Chosen To Protect Fidel Castro In 1983

When I Was Chosen To Protect Fidel Castro In 1983

Last week, another luminary figure passed away, cementing in public imagination that 2016 simply couldn’t get any worse for celebrity deaths. Cuban dictator, politician and revolutionary Fidel Castro passed away at the age of 90. His death brought up mixed reactions around the world as few celebrated the end of a villain and some mourned the death of their leader. India, particularly, had a nostalgic reaction to his death as the relations between India and Cuba have always remained favourable.

The famous hug between Castro and Indira Gandhi during the Non Aligned Meet in 1983 surfaced all over the internet and news media organisations within hours of his demise. The NAM was mostly the concept of Jawaharlal Nehru and is presently defunct. Castro had heaped many praises on India when he came to give his title of Chairman of NAM away to Indira Gandhi, stating that the country had helped Cuba in times of great need.

The NAM meet in 1983 was memorable for many reasons but for Ajit Yadav, a 62-year-old retired Colonel residing in Delhi, Castro’s visit leaves a more intimate imprint on his mind. Selected as an ADC for Fidel Castro during the leader’s 1983 visit to India, he cannot forget the respect shown to him by Cubans till date, even as he firmly shies away from any kind of a political stance. “Nobody had ever organized such a meet on a scale like this in India before. Everything went without a hitch and the three days went by in a breeze. Fidel Castro was pro-India and had a lot of positive pro people comments for the country and he said that Indira Gandhi was like a railway engine pushing India forward. He was a great military man and wouldn’t hedge around his words. Everyone was pretty happy around him. Men and women would mob him to take autographs,” he said.

The colonel was kind enough to recollect his thirty-year-old memories of those fateful days for our readers. You can read his account below.

“The first thing the Cubans wanted to know from me was ‘why’ I had been chosen as ‘Ayudante de Campo’ (Aide-de-camp, personal assistant or secretary) to ‘El Senor Presidente Fidel Castro de Cuba.’ Since there had been over 100 attempts on his life, their concerns were genuine. They kept mentioning that many would pay a ‘million dollars’ to be alongside the President as also for sitting with him in his car, when he moved around.

This was in 1983. President Castro was the Chairman of NAM (Non Aligned Meet), and was to handover to the Indian Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi. NAM 7 was being held in New Delhi. The event was larger than life, with huge international ramifications. There were Heads of States, distinguished diplomats and other seasoned dignitaries. Arafat, Gaddafi, Zia-ul-Haq…all legendary figures that one read about, were there. Power play was evident.

For most military men, Fidel was an iconic figure. Stories of his dare-devilry and bravery were legend. His image of being able to stand up to the greatest super power, added to his myth. But, for the moment, the common aim for both the Cubans and us was to ensure the safety of the President and ensure that his programs went off as planned.

The first impression of this great man, as he landed in New Delhi and stepped out of his aircraft, was amazing. He lived up to his image by looking truly majestic and distinguished, in his military fatigues. The action had begun straightaway. We got a radio message that an armed gunman had been arrested, on the designated route of the Presidents cavalcade. We later learnt that this was a person placed by the Cubans, as backup security. At their request, we helped in getting him released. Their compliment was, “Our guys are good. If you can nab one of us, then you’re OK”.

At that time, I was all of 27 years old and sought wisdom from my dad, himself a great military veteran. He said “Always hold your head high, son! Make sure that with your actions, the nation and all of us are proud of you.” And, that’s how we moved ahead.

The level of the Cuban security was exceptional. Even with us, they constantly kept testing us by showering us with money and expensive gifts. These we politely but firmly refused. As we moved ahead, there were numerous occasions where they were helped or their requests acceded to. During events and banquets, whilst each Head of State was permitted one bodyguard to enter with them, we managed to get in many more, on the grounds of him being the Chairman. His intelligence guys were dressed up like waiters and cooks, to provide him a cordon and constant personal security. For this, they were truly grateful. And with each bit of crisis management and help provided, confidence in each other grew. Lost IDs and documents were traced and handed over to the rightful owners, assistance given to their ‘Chief of Protocol’ as per their specific needs for interactions of the President with Heads of States, additional security and bodyguards provided over and above the normal, and much much more!

This extraordinary all round help had a huge impact on their entire delegation. They kept asking me, as to what they could do for me and if I would like to visit Cuba. My humble request ‘zapped’ them. my only request was for a photo along with the President duly autographed by him, and also one solitary Cuban cigar, also autographed by him. These I intended to keep as cherished souvenirs.

And in a flurry of events as time went by, NAM7 concluded. Soon thereafter we were at the airport, lined up near the aircraft to see off the President. I was in an insignificant corner, part of the background scenery. After bidding farewell to all the dignitaries and top brass, he beckoned to me to come closer. And as I came and stood close by at rigid attention, he put his mighty hand around my shoulders and posed with me for photographs. The media made merry and clicked away. And then, his kind words just blew me away. He said, “Thank you for everything that you have done. I am inviting you as a personal guest to Cuba and I will speak to Indira about it today.” God never made grins any wider!

Then, the Chief of Protocol pulled me aside and said “I look after visits of dignitaries. You will be our honored guest from the time you fly to Cuba till you reach back. You will stay in the places reserved for the top dignitaries.” Clearly a chord had been struck, and in that stroke they answered their own ‘million dollar question.’

I realized that this was an acknowledgement for a job well done. One thing was for sure, that the Cubans left with a feeling of admiration and deep respect for the Indian nation and its dynamic people. Indira Gandhi also made speeches and everyone was amazed that India could manage an event like this. There were a lot of rehearsals with NSG, Traffic control, police and official authorities in the background while the event was running.

True to their word, a formal invitation was delivered but was declined due to regulations.

Today, as we pay our respects to this great leader, we know that whilst his image may slowly fade away, the ‘echo’ of his voice will resonate forever.”

Ajit Yadav, in present times.

Read more about Fidel Castro’s India connection here.

Interviewed by Preksha Malu

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