An excellent sprinter, rugby player and superb athlete from the friendly Isles of Tonga in the South Pacific Sea. Contrary to his tough and harsh countenance, he was one of the kindest and friendliest souls. Sam, as Juliets fondly remember, was much older in age than any of them. He was almost like a big brother to all. His appetite didn't end at red wine & food, it went much beyond. He knew the nooks and corners of Pune as much as any locals. Hotel "The Place" in Pune city was always his favourite joint on weekend liberties- for Mixed grill sizzlers and beer! His countryman, Tuita, always cribbed about holding 'Joint Pocket Money'! He knew the backstreets of Pune and Mumbai better than many of us, and his familiarity with Bombay and its bright & dark alleys was amazing.

LM recalls and narrates the incident encountered by Sam, Tuita and himself. One mid-term break the 3 landed up in Bombay to link up with some Fiji and Tongan friends. As usual, they spent an evening in a Bar, guzzling down chilled beer. They finished that and went behind the Taj hotel alley, for the famous rolls and kebabs from a street-side fast food joint. While waiting, near the cab, some guys from the street 'jeered & mocked at them'. (Probably seeing the size of the Tongans). In response, one of the trio twisted the cab's meter and broke it. This was followed with few expletives of BC/MC (in the usual Tongan sing-song tune) from Tuita/Sam. Then all hell broke loose. The entire gang of the Taj backyard street, almost 30 – 40 people, pounced on them. The street fight was on (less the empty bottles as a weapon). Sam, with his Hulk, literally tackled them single-handed (supporting LMG fire from the other two). That is the time, LM learnt lessons about powerful rugby tackles and its effectiveness in the street fight. Sam had that raw guts and power to face the way things come along in life. They landed up in Colaba Police Station, where they spent a few hours. When the cop in charge looked at Sam, he must have thought it was better to let them go!

After the passing out parade, the two Tongans went back home. Those days, in Manipur, LM had access to only Chinese/Myanmar jeans . As a young man then, LM always longed for genuine Levis. Sam Mosaa'ti, a good friend and brother, did not forget that. After a few weeks of passing out from NDA, one fine morning, there was a postman with a parcel for LM. It was a pair of original Levis jeans which Sam had parcelled, all the way- 11,000 Kms, from the Friendly Isles. He was true to his ways– a friend & a brother.

He passed away some years back in Nukualofa, Tonga- an epitome of goodness kind-heartedness.

Penned with inputs from LM Singh.

🙏May his soul rest in peace🙏