Nearly two decades back, we received instructions to ferry a MI-17 helicopter to Car Nicobar island in the Andaman.
The helicopter of Russian design could not fly non-stop to Car Nicobar, as such the Indian Government arranged for us to take off from India and have a stop over for a day at Rangoon.
there we were supposed to refuel and continue onwards to Car Nicobar island where we had an Indian Air Force base.
Before we left we were briefed by the Indian authorities, not to talk or say anything political.
Burma at that time was ruled by Army General Ne Win.
Martial law was in force and most political opponents of the military regime were behind bars.
The Indian government which has a contagious border with Burma was keen not to ruffle the feathers of the military, hence the instructions not to say anything in Rangoon We took off from Calcutta and saw the receding Hoogly delta as we headed for Rangoon.
The flight to Rangoon was uneventful, as we flew at a height of about 3000′ above the sea and made good progress towards Rangoon.
The weather was clear and the sea below us looked tranquil.
We were soon in touch with the ATC at Rangoon airport, which gave us direction to land.
At the Air port we were received by a Burmese Air Force Officer who spoke English.
He had a look also at the MI-17 and was suitably impressed.
He wanted to have a ride in the plane, but we politely declined.
He then escorted us to a hotel and put us up there.
He warned us not do anything anti-national, which I thought was silly.
We spent a day in Rangoon.
I remember just walking the streets.
Cars were few.
But I recollect, that food was cheap.
but I got the impression that we had come to country, that was at least 3 decades behind the world.
I now think what Gen Ne Win and the Army junta that followed him achieved.
perhaps nothing as they had acted as break on the Burmese people.
But over all the Burmese were friendly, but correct.
I also saw some Burmese Indians as well, but we didn't interact with them.
One day is too short a time for Rangoon, as we took off early next day for Car Nicobar.
Our liaison officer saw us off and waved vigorously to us.
I will remember that day in Rangoon for a long time to come.