Jamy was a larger than life individual who made a great impression at first glance and that impression had permanent characteristics. 

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Jamy was a larger than life individual who made a great impression at first glance and that impression had permanent characteristics. No one could forget the strapping, 6’2” broad shouldered, narrow-waisted officer with a ready laugh, an outgoing personality and infectious energy. Jamy was an army brat (we were reminded about it recently when his father, a Maratha, passed away recently after an illness stoically borne). He studied at the Lawrence School, Sanawar and did very well in NDA as an all-rounder and SCC for Echo. He was tall, but one of those who perhaps kept growing in height and at the shoulders for several years!

As someone who was either a shipmate of his or in similar appointments in sister ships and for a course of two and a half years in the USSR as young Lieutenants, Shrikhande perhaps was “alongside” him the most in the Navy. He has several stories about Jamy that space doesn’t permit. Jamy finished a truncated tenure as Naval ADC to President and started a Russian language course in Delhi Univ. On the last evening, just before emplaning, he was married in Vasant Vihar, the only instance, probably of an officer not even being on casual leave for his marriage. Talk of being on duty always! He excelled in Russia and his weapon Engg thesis was on improvements of a torpedo’s homing system which impressed the Russians, so much that they incorporated it and perhaps sold it to us after a few years for a tidy sum! He worked hard on ASW (anti-submarine warfare) tactics and was responsible for a fair number of improvements. His students in ASW School always recalled his sincerity and hard work as an instructor.

Buddies in DSSC recall him being a prankster of the first order who nonetheless never hesitated to question assumptions or engage the DS in debates over several issues. A retired naval CINC recalled how he declined a recommendation for a VSM while in NHQ in the late 1990s, saying there was another officer who had done so much more that it would be not right to compare him the same way. He didn’t get the VSM, but had the everlasting respect of several flag officers who admired his integrity, courage, conviction and sharp work. A few superiors, as it sometimes happens, felt uncomfortable about these very same attributes. He shrugged off these things.

Jamy looked great in uniform always but was often seen tucking his shirttail in. His broad shoulders would keep heaving out his shirt! At a party, if children were present, he was always a hit because he had several tricks, mimicry, and a false set of teeth to keep them either delighted or screaming once in a while. Once, as some naval buddies would recall during the DSSC, he and Shrikhande got a whole lot of pet dogs activated with their barking. Jamy was a loyal friend to all. He commanded Vibhuti, Khukri and was commissioned XO of the Navy’s pride, INS Delhi as well as the first captain of INS Beas.

He then went to Moscow as naval attaché’ where he was often mistaken for a Russian! He was there at a critical and difficult time, and one recalls that he spoke about the challenges and the methods of keeping things online with so many large scale, super expensive projects on hand and complex motivations in some quarters. But he held his head high and conducted himself impeccably.

Jamy was a great combination of an intellectual, scholar, philosopher, warrior, raconteur, fine sportsman and Navy bodybuilding champion, whaler-puller of fearsome repute, and always full of beans and bonhomie. He was looked up to always, and is fondly remembered by everyone who served with him.

In July 2010, when he was COS, Southern Naval Command he crossed the bar due to a very tragic firing range accident. Shrikhande was appointed in his place and they were difficult shoes to fill. Geeta, his wife and two children, Shreya and Rohan live in Delhi. Rohan has recently been engaged. Rohan finished his MBA and is working in a gaming company called Octro. Shreya is finishing her college now.

Larger than life, dedicated to the extreme, loyal friend, fine officer and admired leader, Jamy will remain with us all. Shriks says his deep laughter and sense of fun sounds in his ears often. You were a seriously funny man; Rest in Peace, Tovarish! 

🙏May his soul rest in peace🙏