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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