Flying Coffin Poem by Mehta Hasmukh Amathaal

Any country may feel proud
Of being militarily sound
Having fleet of enough fighters
To defend the sacred borders

Russians were first to offer fighters
Where others watched as onlookers
Country was threatened with war
All friends were staying deliberately far

The aircraft was known as M.I.G
For Indian air space essentially very big
Challenge to enemy and her design
The Russians proved as good friends and signed

What ailed marvelous and formidable fighter?
Poor maintenance or inferior parts with trainers
It has taken heavy toll of brave pilots
Such a loss without having fought a war!

Country has lost many fighter aircraft in peace time
Double the score in any war at any time
It has earned nick name of “flying coffin”
More bodies are housed and brought in

It has to be given ceremonial send off
It must have glorious last laugh
It has served well but now enough is enough
We can not afford brave pilots to cough

Let the policy makers take decision
The time is ticking off and losing with precision
Future wars may be fought with missiles
But time taken may be more with files

Grave errors in judgment for not taking stock of stores
Situation is turning from bad to worse
Country may loose its edge over weaponry
Country’s defense is holier than holy and very much necessary