Those Days in Indian Military Academy

 THE PUJA  AT RED FORT

In the second trip, got a chance to go to Delhi during the Autumn term 1972. We stayed under the arrangements of a Gorkha Bn which was then in the Red Fort. It was my first visit to Delhi, enjoyed the food in the numerous eateries just outside the Red Fort/Chandni Chowk areas and visited many monuments.

A few days later, it was Dussehra time while we were still there. We were told to be present at the ground for the ceremonies conducted by the Bn. These included sacrifices, as then permitted, and were quite a shock for a vegetarian like me.

The process of selection of the Jawan for the task and the importance of the ceremonies was explained, for the person selected for the task, it was a great honour.  It was a fairly long-drawn-out process with individual offerings of chicken/fowl, followed by goats etc being carried out initially. After some time, the moment for the major sacrifice of the day, which everyone was eagerly awaiting, arrived.

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The Jawan who had successfully carried out THE sacrifice in one swoop, was brought around to the shamiana where we all were sitting and rightfully paraded as a hero for the day. Then, everyone was offered Tirth/Theertham having attended the ceremony as is the custom. A revered tradition, it could not be avoided. The only reason for thinking of avoiding it was that it was dark coloured and although we gulped it, it was a very strong and potent potion. It was probably a diluted or undiluted XXX portion. The movement of the liquid through the body could be felt even better than by an X-ray machine.

Years later, I was on deputation to Assam Rifles and people there were surprised to see me attend all the ceremonies including Kaal Ratri and fully participate in them, even though a Signaller.

Those Days in Indian Military Academy

THE MIDTERM HIKE

In the tough and demanding training schedules of the Indian Military Academy, the midterm breaks provided much needed and well-deserved opportunities for relief with outings.

One was to the Jim Corbett Park where we went in those sturdy 1 Ton Nissans, with their tarpaulin covers removed so that we could watch everything. A few DSs (Instructors) and our Bn Cdr accompanied us. Also remember a visit to Lansdowne and the Garhwal Rifles Centre and their imposing Officers’ Mess enroute, probably spent a night there.

We then moved to the National Park after a long journey.  We were many of us, booked probably in a Dak Bungalow. 

Come the evening and we all assembled for the evening meal and were seated around a table. In IMA, DSs were like Gods, so one can imagine the environment there. 

Before we knew it, a glass of beer, which GCs (Gentlemen Cadets) were permitted to consume, was placed before us, while the DSs probably had their choice of drinks. I hadn’t consumed any type of alcohol till then but decided to have the beer as an adventure during the outing, guess many of us were similarly placed. 

Just one or two sips later, everything seemed to be out of focus and moving uncontrollably. It was sometime later, that the Bn Cdr asked if someone could go fetch a transistor radio so that he could listen to the news. Many of us, myself included, seized that opportunity to move out, clearly recalling that I didn’t dare return to the table that evening to avoid any embarrassment. Thankfully, someone did handover that Radio. And those that didn’t return were not particularly missed.

Over time, of course, Beer did become a favourite, it still is.

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