![THE FIGHT TO SAVE A MOUNTAIN](https://magarticles.magzter.com/articles/232/504504/5f3e77bcf3039/THE-FIGHT-TO-SAVE-AMOUNTAIN.jpg)
I HAVE FOUGHT POACHERS to save these forests. I have lived like a pauper to preserve what you see now.
Jilling—the land I came back to in 1974; the land in which I met Parvati, whom I married; the setting in which our young love flourished; the home we sadly had to leave, but to which we promptly returned, this time for keeps—has been with the Lall family since 1965. My mother, Hope Violet Lall (née Norton), purchased it from a gentleman who was given the land by the Indian government when he came to India from Lahore after Partition. Before that, the estate belonged to the Stiffles, a British family that owned the entire expanse since the early 1900s, when it was still called Jilung. Over time, the entire mountaintop comprising orchards, forests and farmland became Jeeling, of which 100 acres now belong to the Lalls, and is popularly known as Jilling or Jilling Estate.
My father was an ICS officer, which meant I spent much of my formative years all around the country, from Varanasi, where I was born, to Badayun, Agra, Bareilly and Delhi. As a kid, I was obsessed with flying and decided, at the ripe old age of six, that I wanted to fly. I joined the Air Force in 1964 and spent the next few years flying some of the best fighter aircrafts at the time, including the MiG21—my personal favourite. I always wanted to be a fighter pilot, not a career officer. I saw my share of action—both good operational flying, and in the wars of 1965 and 1971. But the Air Force requires discipline and I was not good at taking orders. There was conflict with some of my seniors—I couldn’t agree with their way of functioning. The only way out was for me to leave.
Denne historien er fra August 2020-utgaven av Reader's Digest India.
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Denne historien er fra August 2020-utgaven av Reader's Digest India.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
![READER'S DIGEST-BOOKS](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/232/1792820/UEQ-OLTrP1723436127352/READERS-DIGESTBOOKS.jpg)
READER'S DIGEST-BOOKS
These book summaries highlight Siddharthya Roy's exploration of conflict and violence, Michael Castleman's deep dive into the history of publishing, and Swadesh Deepak's examination of social issues and masculinity through Hindi literature.
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Man with printed sarong
A lawyer, pianist, critic, and mentor to artists, Lionel Wendt is best known for his photographs of Sri Lanka, especially those of people indigenous to the island, captured amidst the lush landscape or posing in his studio.
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Too Much?
New studies show that even moderate drinking is a health hazard. Here’s a frank look at the toll alcohol takes on the body
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ME & MY SHELF
Coimbatore-born Prashanth Srivatsa is a science fiction/fantasy writer whose stories have appeared in magazines such as Asimov’s, Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction and Three-Lobed Burning Eye, among others. Prashanth’s debut fantasy novel, The Spice Gate chronicles the journey of Amir, a young man born with special abilities who unravels the power that keeps the world in balance. magazines such as Asimov's, Magazine of Fantasy Science Fiction and Three-Lobed Burning Eye, among others. Prashanth’s debut fantasy novel, The Spice Gate chronicles the journey of Amir, a young man born with special abilities who unravels the power that keeps the world in balance.
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Small Business, Big Heart
Caring for people is part of the deal at family-run shops
![Spill the Beans](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/232/1792820/ON2H93NTp1723195350746/SPILL-THE-BEANS.jpg)
Spill the Beans
Everyone has secrets. Here's why you should share yours
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It Happens ONLY IN INDIA
Angry lovers are like a box of chocolates, you never know what you are going to get.
![FULL STEAM AHEAD!](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/232/1792820/r068gw5UZ1723194971720/FULL-STEAM-AHEAD.jpg)
FULL STEAM AHEAD!
I GOT THE CHANCE TO DRIVE THE WORLD'S LAST SCHEDULED STEAM TRAIN
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Stressed and Worn Down
More and more people are clenching and grinding their teeth. Here's what to do about it
![THIS BACON FAKERY MUST STOP](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/232/1792820/f0DxhphbV1723194666430/THIS-BACON-FAKERY-MUST-STOP.jpg)
THIS BACON FAKERY MUST STOP
I was recently given bacon-flavoured dental floss for my birthday.