CM Vishwanathan was born on 08 Oct 1959. He joined our course in Golf squadron and was shifted to foxtrot during the reshuffle of the 2nd term. S N Bhaduri remembers meeting him back in 1977 in the centre lobby of Foxtrot squadron as both came from different squadrons. It was a silent and cautious meeting until they met formally a few days later. Bhaduri was anxious and sceptical in the new surroundings when CM walked in and introduced himself as 'CM' and said a one-liner which till date he distinctly remembers- "Anxiousness is the greatest gift, the secret edge. Learn to make it work for you and not against you." He liked his easy going and friendly attitude, and they clicked straight away. The friendship blossomed as both of them were in the academy cricket team.

"Vishi" as a familiar term could easily be the short handle to recall CM Vishwanathan since he possessed the great cricket batting talent of the test player Gundappa Vishwanath, but with the additional wicket-keeping ability and less of the flamboyance of the Brylcreemed Farokh Engineer. Vishi, with his lanky stature, rubber-like gymnast flair also had the ease of a "gentleman's behaviour" that most cricketers were demanded off to exhibit. He was a great team man. He was the star player of the cricket team, a wicket-keeper batsman and Bhaduri part of the extras to carry the drinks during the breaks. In a stroke of luck, Bhaduri got an opportunity to play in the triangular tournament along with Vishi to open the innings. NDA needed 52 runs to win, but due to some communication mistake, Vishi was run out, which may have been due to his partner's fault. Bhaduri was feeling guilty when Vishi walked up and said, "Play for the team and not for individual glory." These words helped him to score the winning run.

Ashwini Chanan last met Vishi in June 1982 when he was passing through the newly set up Military Station in the wilderness of Hisar, India's first Mechanised Division at that time. Vishi was with the Division Ordnance Unit, and he gladly shared his TRH accommodation and wholesome hospitality, palatial in comfort. His career, both professionally and on the cricket field were on the ascendant and his happiness was infectious. The two evenings spent together enjoying Old Monk remains etched in the vaults of Ashwini's memories.

A wonderful human being, gentleman to the core, quiet in nature but displayed a very confident demeanour about himself. Lalit Arora and Vishi did YOs at CMM Jabalpur together in 1981 after they finished their Infantry and Artillery cross attachment of four months. Vishi was full of life and spent most of his evenings playing squash and cricket, whereas the rest of the YOs were whiling away their time galavanting. He was extremely intelligent and an avid reader. He excelled in cricket and as a young officer spent most of his time at AOC Centre Secunderabad practising cricket and playing for the services.

Vishi had his early postings as a youngster as a Bde Ord Officer in Delhi. Based on his service record, he was appointed as ADC to the Governor of Haryana where he served three Governors in a row. He also served as an instructor at the College of Materials Management Jabalpur. Vishi got married in 1990 to Shirin. His last posting was at Army HQ. In 1995, he participated in the AOC motorcycle rally where unfortunately he met with a fatal accident. His wife Shirin is presently staying in Gurgaon.

Goodbye friend, we hope that where you are, you have peace in your heart and soul and spread happiness all around. RIP our friend.

Penned with inputs from SN Bhaduri, AK Channan and LM Arora.

🙏May his soul rest in peace🙏