The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2012 annual report for this blog.
Here’s an excerpt:
The London Olympic Stadium is 53 meters high. This blog had about 720 visitors in 2012. If every visitor were a meter, this blog would be 14 times taller than the Olympic Stadium – not too shabby.
The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2011 annual report for this blog.
Here’s an excerpt:
A San Francisco cable car holds 60 people. This blog was viewed about 1,100 times in 2011. If it were a cable car, it would take about 18 trips to carry that many people.
Humor is by far the most significant activity of the human brain. ~ Edward De Bono
When we were in final term, the cadets of ‘B’ Battalion were shifted from Premnagar to Clement Town, A seventh company named as “Imphal” was raised as part of the third battalion and was to be located at Premnagar. The nucleus of this Company was drawn from the existing cadets of the other six companies.
One of the main features of Clement Town was that it boasted of an open-air stadium, which was known as the “Bowl”. It was commodious and could easily accommodate the entire Academy – if so required, Gen KS Thimmayya was the Chief of Army Staff (COAS). Midway towards the term he visited Dehra Dun and decided to address the entire Academy at the Bowl. After his address, the cadets were asked to leave, so that he could address the staff separately.
As all cadets moved out of the Bowl, we chanced upon the Chief’s car parked just outside. The star plate of the car was uncovered and the slanting sunrays fell directly on the four uncovered stars, which adorned the car. The reflecting rays pierced our eyes and we momentarily halted in our tracks.
In our midst was GC PM Menon, who was a course junior to us. For a variety of reasons he had accumulated a large number of extra drills in punishments. Looking on at the stars on the car plate, Menon remarked that the Chief was so easily sporting four stars on his car, when he was finding it difficult to get even one on his shoulder!
Care should be taken that the punishment does not exceed the guilt; and also that some men do not suffer for offenses for which others are not even indicted. ~ Cicero—De Officiis. I. 23.
When Kohima company moved from Premnagar to Clement Town during second half of 1960, Maj Bhargava continued to be company the commander. It should be noted that Kohima Company, was the champion company during the term ending December 1959, and were thus moved from he East Blocks to the Collins Blocks. However, during the first term of 1960, the company nosedived from first to the sixth place. Anyway, instead of moving to the East blocks, the company along with the rest of the battalion moved to Clement Town. Some more changes occurred with a few cadets being transferred to Imphal Company – the new company that occupied the Collins Blocks. Further a few officers were shifted out – the notable one being that Stiffy was shifted from Kohima Company to take over as Assistant Adjutant of the Clement Town Wing. In due of time, Col JP Dalvi proceeded on promotion as Brigadier, and another officer as Deputy Commandant to be positioned at Clement Town.
It is well known that in any organisation, it is as good as the leader. Thus the plummeting of Kohima from the Champion Company to the last within a term was apparently not taken too seriously by the authorities. Thus no other changes were made at the higher echelons. Quite likely, in hindsight one could say that some of the reasons for plummeting from number one to the bottom were the lack of understanding between the company commanders and the cadets.
Somehow or the other there was a mismatch between the Company commander and the cadets. Apparently, his method of working did not bring out the best in the cadets. Nothing that we as cadets did, ever drew any appreciation from him. Very often, cadets felt that more often than not, the staff was more keen on picking faults with all of us. Those, who ever never punished at Premnagar, constantly were on the mat at Clement Town.
All of us were functioning under such conditions – that many felt that this could not go on for too long, and something may snap at any moment. Thus on a Saturday the senior termers had gone out to the Tons valley for an outdoor exercise. By time the cadets returned from training, it was well past lunchtime and everyone was not only tired, but also suffered acutely from the pangs of hunger. After such an expedition, it was but natural, that the dresses were dirty. Some of the appointments had gone to the kote to return the weapons, while others were still cleaning their weapons. A few of the ‘early birds’, who had deposited their weapons after cleaning, had gone over to the Mess to satisfy their stomachs. A feeling of the weekend had crept in and the general air was one of relaxation leading to a slight disorderliness.
It is at this point that the Company Commander landed up. He surprised the cadets, and he was in for a severe shock. He took a quick look at the few stragglers yet to deposit arms, and took off the jungle hats of a GC. He disdainfully took a cursorily look at the cap and derisively mentioned that he would be ashamed to even wipe his shoes with that cap. He enquired as to who was in charge. The SUO and other senior appointments had gone away and one of the junior appointment holders was available.
Apparently he had not heard of that famous saying by Ovid which says:
Do not lay on the multitude the blame that is due to a few. Ovid—Ars Amatoria. III. 9.
He was so upset that he decided that he would punish the entire company by asking them to go on a cross-country run of 10 miles the next morning which was a Sunday.
Next morning by 0600 hrs, the entire company fell in with pack 08s and weapons so as to start off on the 10 mile run. In order to supervise the run, permanent staffs consisting of couple officers as well as members of the permanent staff were lined up at various points along the route. Many of us were legitimately upset at this mass punishment. Sundays and holidays were quite a rarity during the term. And losing one of them – due to ‘someone else’s unbecoming conduct’ did seem very unfair. Like Casabianca who obeying orders had stood on the burning deck, the entire company reluctantly took off on the stipulated run. After about two hours, people started trickling in to finish the run.
However the run became unforgettable because of a single Sikh cadet one was in the third term. If memory serves me right, he later was commissioned into the Rajput Regiment. Anyway, to come back to the aftermath of the run – or rather the events that took place at the finish line. The cadet having crossed the finishing line became quite delirious. And he mouthed the choicest abuses in chaste vernacular Punjabi. The company commander and a few others were among his favorites. He derisively declared that the company was prepared to go such a run every Sunday, if it gave sadistic pleasure to the Company commander. He went on in that strain for quite a while, before he passed out. Momentarily everyone froze – suddenly they sprung to action. Water bottles were opened and sprinkled a few drops – which were only left, as most of it had been consumed during the run – on the cadet’s face. Thereafter he was carried on a stretcher to the MI room, where the MO on duty revived him.
The after-effects of this incident were mind-boggling. We were anxious during the rest of the Sunday. We wondered how the Company commander would react to the outpourings of the delirious cadet. There was an unbelievable change that came over the Company Commander. The Monday saw a completely changed Commander. He became all milk and honey. But word had possibly got around, and he was posted to the Training team and Maj Rachpal Singh took charge of Kohima Company. It was for the first that an ASC officer was appointed as Company Commander of a company in IMA.
No one finds fault with defects which are the result of nature. ~ Aristotle—Ethics. III. 5.
During our third term around mid April 1960, we had our mountain warfare camp at Chakrata. Fully equipped, we got into the transport at Dehra Dun and by the time we landed at Chakrata it was quite late in the evening. In fading light, we occupied positions on the hilly slopes. However during the day snowfall continued reducing visibility and making movement difficult. With the onset of night there was more snowfall. We had no snow clothing and we were literally shivering away due to the extreme cold. Around midnight, the DS in charge of the Camp, after due consultations with the headquarters decided to move everyone indoors. So we trudged back from our bivouacked and tented accommodation and moved into the few barracks that were available.
We were told that the exercise had not been called off, but keeping in view the extreme cold, as a precautionary measure, we had shifted location. The normal stand to was carried out in freezing cold outside the barracks. The water was almost frozen and it appeared that it would solidify, if we only allowed it to settle a while. Thanks to the extreme weather, we were given copious quantities of hot cocoa. We were allowed to take away steaming hot cocoa in our huge enormous enamel mugs. As there was a lack of hot water, many of us found a fresh use for the steaming sticky liquid. The cocoa was used instead of water so that we could freshen up and shave ourselves. For a while the chin felt sticky but in a sort while, the moistness in the air cleared the same. However as the weather did not let up, Major Seetharam, who was the RMO, the advised that all of us return to base to Premnagar.
The camp was called off earlier than scheduled. It was learnt that such heavy snowfall had occurred in Chakrata after a gap of about 15 or 16 years.
Nothing in the world can take the place of perseverance. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. ~ Calvin Coolidge
During our Premnagar days, normally three pictures were screened every week. There were two English pictures during the weekdays, whereas on Sundays, a Hindi picture was screened. As far as possible, most of the English movies were either war or thrillers. However this was not the case with Hindi as such movies were seldom made with these themes.
If one was fortunate not to get any type of punishment – like extra drills, then this was the preferred activity in the evening. Further, on picture days, we had the privilege of having one dinner night less. English pictures were interesting and enjoyable particularly being related to war, were also termed as ‘training films’. On the other hand, many of the Hindi movies were generally mediocre and at times terribly pedestrian and tried one’s patience. One incident, which I distinctly remember, is a Hindi picture, where GC Sahi and I sat through the first half with great difficulty. By the time the intermission came about, we were quite keen to escape from the cinema hall and return to our rooms. We could not go for dinner, as it was not yet time for the dining hall to have opened As were discussing the pros and cons of staying back and watching the movie finish or making a quiet get away, and going to the anteroom and go through the newspapers. There were no TVs then available to provide alternate forms of entertainment. Just then another cadet sitting close by remarked that we should not forget that it was a ‘training movie’ that we were watching. Our expression was one of astonishment. Apparently he read our looks, and quietly added that such movies taught as patience to tolerate nonsense as well determination that irrespective of how boring an operation we may have to embark upon, we would persist till it was completed.
We were bowled over and admired his attitude and perception, and had no option but to sit through till the movie got over.
It is the peculiar quality of a fool to perceive the faults of others, and to forget his own. ~ Cicero—Tusculanarum Disputationum. III. 30.
When our first term ended in December 1959, Kohima Company was declared as the Champion Company. Hence, we were eligible to move from the East Blocks to the Collins Block inside the main campus. And for the next six months we could enjoy the luxury of proximity to the training areas and other facilities. Besides the accommodation was far better. The rooms had attached bathrooms, which had western closets and geysers. This was a far cry from what we had experienced till than – dry latrines and collecting hot water for a bath from a central boiler where water was heated in huge drums.
It was customary that before the first period of the day, quite often, we used to have a “shave parade”. We fell in within the company lines according to the platoons – in other words – term wise. Normally the senior cadet appointments would come over and inspect our turn out to check that everything was in order. On special occasions, inspections would be done by the platoon commanders who were officers of the captain.
Traditionally, Kohima had a Signal Officer as the Company Commander. Maj JD Kumar had been posted out by December 1959 and Maj KD Bhargava took over as the new Officer Commanding the Company. There is a well-known saying, which states that a new broom sweeps clean. Thus Maj Bhargava was keen that officers on the staff – the platoon commanders come and inspect rather than leave it to the cadets themselves. Just as our luck would have it, one of the platoon commanders was also new and apparently took this a little too seriously. In the morning, there was hardly 10 to 15 minutes for this entire activity, as all of us had to thereafter rush for the programmed classes.
This fastidious captain – he was appropriately called ‘Stiffy’ was from the Sikh regiment, and later rose to the rank of a lieutenant general. But during that time he tried his best to make our life as difficult and as miserable as possible. He was finicky and particularly looked for faults, to ensure that every one whom he inspected, he could dole out extra drills. Thus it happened, that his inspection would take an inordinately long amount of time. Hence, whichever platoon was to be inspected by him, every one in that platoon tried to get into the last line, so as to hopefully to escape punishment. As soon as we sighted him, we would make a beeline to get the rear line. Of course, all of us could not make it every time, but then, one remembers the saying – nothing ventured, nothing gained!
It doesn’t take a lot to make me happy. I like to work out. I like to play ball. I like to spend time with my friends. I like to make myself better every day. I like to try to learn. It doesn’t take money to do that. ~ Steve Nash
Shri HVR Iyengar, an ICS officer, was the Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) between 1957 and 1962. As we entered the new term in 1960, Brigadier NKD Nanavati, M C, took over as Commandant from Brig Gobinder Singh. Apparently, the Commandant and the Governor RBI were good friends. Mussorie known as the Queen of hill stations is close to Dehra Dun. Thus it was not uncommon for people to stop over at Dehra Dun, before proceeding to the hills. Thus, it was natural, for the Iyengars to be guests of the Commandant on his way back from Mussorie.
Having a person of the stature of Iyengar in the campus, the Commandant decided to use the opportunity to get him to talk to all of us. Accordingly a central talk was arranged wherein the RBI Governor would address everyone in the Academy. This included officers on the permanent staff as well as their families, and all the cadets. The talk was to take place just before dinner – possibly to ensure that we don’t ask too many questions and thus delay dinner.
The proceedings commenced with the Commandant introducing the guest – HVR Iyengar. Saying that he was a brilliant civil servant and had the distinction of closely serving with both Pandit Nehru and Sardar Patel, who were the architects of independent India. He was presently the Governor of the Reserve Bank of India.
Shri Iyengar took a while to come centre stage. He started off by saying, that had he known that he would have to deliver a speech to a motley set of people when he accepted invitation to spend a few days with the Nanavatis, he may not have come to Dehra Dun at all. Next he said he was quite nonplussed as to how he could address a mixed gathering of officers, families and cadets – as there was really nothing in common with all of them. The target audience basically comprised of those concerned and interested in the Armed Forces, whereas he was a banker’s banker. He said he was not sure how the twain could meet. However, on second thoughts, he discovered one shred of commonality between all of us and himself and that was money. All of us were certainly interested in money, and as he was the Governor of RBI, nobody could do better justice to such a subject than himself. He then gave us a scintillating thought-provoking talk on the use and misuse of money.
My First Experiences on Joining the erstwhile Military College
Good name in man and woman, dear my lord, Is the immediate jewel of their souls; Who steals my purse steals trash; ’tis something, nothing; ’Twas mine, ’tis his, and has been slave to thousands; But he that filches from me my good name, Robs me of that which not enriches him, And makes me poor indeed. Shakespeare.—Othello, Act III. Scene 3.
During Jun 1959, when I was to join the Academy it was known Military College. I joined the then Military College as an NCC entry. The requirements were that the persons had to have successfully cleared ‘C’ Certificate examination conducted by the NCC. Further, the person should have graduated prior to the commencement of the course.
By the first week of June 1959 I received a telegram from Army Headquarters asking me to furnish details of having qualified in ‘C’ Certificate as also having cleared my degree examinations, so that they could send me the Joining Instructions to join the Military College, as the course was due to commence by the third week of the month. I had qualified on the ‘C’ Certificate earlier in the year and possessed the requisite certificate. I replied telegraphically, stating that the results of the examination were expected later in the month. I received another telegram saying that as soon as the results were announced, I should inform them. Apparently the Army Headquarters were in a panic, as every second day brought in a telegram asking about the results. Finally, almost at the beginning of the third week, the results were published, mentioning that I had qualified. Accordingly I informed the Army Headquarters. They replied telegraphically that I should join straightaway. A long list was received indicating the clothing and other material that I should take along.
In the pleasant surroundings of Bangalore – the Garden City as it was then known; the list seemed endless – as I did not possess most of the items listed. Hence my parents were put in a tizzy, as we had to buy the cloth and have the items tailored immediately. (Ready-made clothing was not in vogue those days.)
Reservations in trains were very difficult those days, and hence I had no option but to travel in unreserved compartments and reported to the Military College a few days late – just after the term had commenced. To that extent I was spared some part of the initiation ceremonies, which were quite common those days. I was allotted to Kohima Company and was packed off to the East Blocks where we were all accommodated. This accommodation was closest to the Forest Research Institute (FRI). A distant uncle of mine who was working in FRI had been nominated my local guardian.
Towards the end of the Term, I received the graduation certificate from the University. I promptly went over to the office and handed over the same to them for their perusal and return to me. A couple of days later I was summoned to report to the Adjutant. Little realizing what was in store for me, I went over to the office and awaited the Adjutant. After what seemed like ages, I was called in. The Adjutant hardly even looked at the smart salute that I gave him. Instead he berated me soundly, stating that I was an impostor. I was dazed, and for a moment, my blood circulation stopped. I was dumbstruck and looked as lost, as all first termers are wont to look. The Adjutant cooled down a bit and placed the degree certificate along with initial application that I had filled in when I reported arrival at the College. The graduation certificate was in the name of “VA Subramanian” whereas I had spelt my name as “ VA Subramanyam”. The Adjutant pointed out the differences in spelling and said that it meant that I was an “Impostor”. I tried to explain to him that my spelling was correct and my name had been erroneously spelt in the graduation certificate. He was kind enough to tell me that during the ensuing term break I should go over to the University and have the certificate corrected.
Almost the first thing that I did on reaching home during the term break was to go across to the University. With difficulty, was finally able to meet Shri D Subramanian, who was the Registrar, and was the concerned senior official who possibly had the authority to rectify the error. I pointed out the mistake and requested him to correct the spelling and issue a new certificate.
He with great reluctance called for all the relevant documents – the papers which included my original application for appearing on the examination, the spelling as mentioned by the College authorities while forwarding the documents to the University and other related papers. After thoroughly checking all the documents, they were quite satisfied that the mistake had been committed by the Vice Chancellor’s office. The Vice Chancellor of the University was the famous Dr. A Lakshmanaswamy Mudaliar, and had been in office for almost 20 years. At that point of time, he was not only revered but also feared. None of the officials dared go near him and own up the mistake. Maj Smith, the commander of the NCC unit where I had served during my college days, had accompanied me to help out with the University authorities. He explained at length that unless the spelling in the degree certified was corrected, my career was at stake, and I may not be able to continue training. After much effort and coaxing and cajoling the Registrar, finally condescended to issue a separate certificate to state that the spelling as given out by me and as mentioned in the degree certificate related to the same person.
As soon as the term break was over, on reaching the Academy, mumbling away innumerous prayers, I went over to the office and handed over the certificate obtained from the Registrar. Thanks to the combined efforts of everyone, the Army Headquarters accepted the certificate. Hence I continued to spell my name with the ending as “Y A M “ and not as very many others from the sunny south would spell as “I A N”. As Shakespeare would say, “All’s well that Ends well.
His Highness, who had been educated in India for many years, and spoke fluent Hindi,was all regalia and charm, as he glided towards us in his silver-clad Rolls-Royce. He had agreed to attend a veteran’s get-together because many Indian servicemen had served under his flag when he was one of the struggling aspirants to his father’s throne.
As we entered the immense darbar hall, uppermost in our minds was, to find out if the stories of the gilded environment and the bevy of his secreted harem were true. Yet, what struck us the most was the tables; laden as they were with the choicest of food from around the world. Which, at the same time, overwhelmed our senses and left us tongue-tied.
Now, the Ruler was circulating among the guests eavesdropping on to the small talk that abounds in our messes. When he invited us to sit at the tables where he grunted murmured “I was looking forward to learn about yourselves to get to know you better as individuals, rather than as some impersonal rank with a name”; and sat next to me.
Seeing me nibble at my food, he personally lifted a large juicy leg of lamb and plonked it on my plate. I had never ever contemplated such a large portion of food at any meal; and certainly not at 0830 in the morning. And never, in the company of one who it was feared, had the power over the lives of people ignored his slightest whim. Through my confusion, I wolfed down the leg of lamb.
Next, bloated with the meat and fearful of consequences, I suppressed the thought that I could refuse the peg of hard, dark ‘Kayvah’ or coffee that appeared next. His Excellency and I together downed our first shots and to my surprise, they were promptly refilled by someone seemingly plucked straight out of ‘Arabian Nights’. I downed the next, only to find it refilled equally fast. That happened time and again and yet again and my confusion rose just as steadily, till finally, my face must have betrayed me. For that sent his excellency into ‘royal’ fits of laughter, right at my elbow. He then caught my hand, vigorously pumping it up and down as though I was playing a ‘damroo’. I tought that my number was up. But instead, the endless ‘Kayvah’ refilling process stopped and the coffee-djin withdrew into the bottle taking my peg with him.
I learned later that the Emir’s mirth was at my innocent ignorance about the ‘hand-signal’ for the djin to stop recharging the cup. But by then, I had been personally gifted a wrist watch, by his highness, for providing him with some jolly good amusement. However, I have never forgotten the reflection of my dazed visage in the gilded mirror hanging on the side wall near the table.
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