THE COURSE OF JUNE 1985
LT COL NOEL ELLIS
08/VI/2022
Dehradun had its own charm. From Chakrata road to Rajpur Road, from Leechi to Chakotra, from Tons River to Sahastradhara, from Clement Town to Garhi Cantt, from Ghanta Ghar to Mussoorie. All these landmarks are so familiar even today, as they were on 08 Jun 1985, when our parents had put ‘pips’ on our shoulders after we stepped across the ‘Antim Pag’.
The pag after the Antim Pag was actually our ‘Pahla Kadam’ to the career in the Army. From the rank of 2Lt (one star on the shoulder) our course of June 85 has now reached to wear the ranks of Lt Gens (three stars on the collar) which is just ‘Ek Kadam’ from becoming the next ‘Chief’ and ‘Do Kadam’ from becoming ‘CDS’.
May God Bless them all as they are the ones who are the present ‘think tank’ and advisors on National Security. Be rest assured dear countrymen India is in safe hands. With modernisation and changes being the flavour, these guys are well versed and know their jobs.
If one goes down memory lane to the Chetwoodian motto, which was drilled into us…….
The safety, honour and welfare of your country come first, always and every time.
The honour, welfare and comfort of the men you command come next.
Your own ease, comfort and safety come last, always and every time.
In doing so, I pay rich tributes to all those course mates who don’t walk this earth with us anymore. I reach out to their families and children so that they know that there is another extended family standing by you. We rather celebrate their sacrifices, than mourn their absence. Some of them lay down their lives during ‘enemy’ action, many of them were decorated with gallantry awards. Their memories live with us forever. We bow in respect.
Most of our course who were Gentlemen Cadets GCs in June of 85 adorn the ‘Veterans cap’ and have transcended to become gentlemen in the civil world. Many ‘dawn’ different hats in Corporates. Many have side stepped into Paramilitary forces. A few have joined the film world. Most are Grand Dads, with grey or no hair. Lifestyle ailments have caught the better of many. Most important thing is, we are still young at heart. We are just 38 monsoons old after commissioning, Still rearing to go.
The mind is still young and shall remain so till the time we finally ‘fade away’. The ‘camaraderie’ we share is unparalleled and no one can ever break those bonds. Yes, some of us have got into politics. Maybe not as elected representatives but in general and some of us feel religiously inclined. It is natural and no hard feelings and I am sure those thoughts would never make inroads into the ‘Esprit-de-corps’ we share.
‘Drill ustads’ made us parade together, ‘PT ustads’ made us roll together, ‘WT ustads’ taught us how to handle weapons, ‘Equestrian ustads’ ensured we could handle a horse, ‘MT ustads’ taught us to drive, above the ‘Officer Instructors’ taught us to be an ‘Officer and a Gentleman’. We bow to them in reverence. That Sweat, toil and mud bonds us together.
Camps and Mussoorie nights, Bhadraj climbs and tea garden runs, punishments and gaiting, visiting Dehradun with ‘out pass’ or without, visits to Moti Mahal & cinema halls, Paltan Bazar & Tibetan market, above all the ‘dashing girls’ of Dehradun. Most of them would be ‘grand moms’ too. Momos & Thuppa besides Stick Jaws of Kumar Sweets are still fresh after so much water has flown down the tons.
The ‘Vikram’ rides in ‘Monkey caps’, those races on bicycles with Drill ustads who chased to catch us without liberty can never be forgotten. Even now, if one takes a shortcut, one expects to hear ‘Ye GC, halt’. Most of us avoid shortcuts still, as our conscience pricks us.
The ‘Drill square’ and the main building painted red and white, with a black roof was where these young boys were transformed into men. Then one fine day we were Officers. With a railway warrant in hand, we dispersed to every possible direction where Army units were located. Some were lucky to get their ‘choice of arms’, the others were categorised as ‘casualties’ of a different kind.
The DS (Directing Staff) tried to motivate us to join their regiments. Most of us dreaded that we shall face the same B again, if caught in his charms. Why trouble-trouble was the formula. There were casualties still, only realising later that the relation of a DS & GC was different between officers of the same regiment. Many were proud to get ‘Parental claim’ and joined regiments of their forefathers. There were officers who represented their second & third generation in service of the nation.
Life has come a full circle when now most of us wear the tag of a ‘Veteran’. A proud one too. Friends of the Civil World need to understand that the Tri-colour' doesn’t fly because the wind moves it, it flies with the breath of each soldier protecting the Naam, Namak aur Nishan. We did our bit. Now you make yourselves worthy that the soldier at the borders feels proud of his countrymen he is protecting and stand by him.
Our spirit can never be weakened, our courage can never be challenged, our unity stands firm even after 38 years that have gone by. ‘Three Cheers’ to all those who passed out in the summer of 1985, Hip-Hip Hurray. I wish every passing out course ‘Good luck and God Speed’. We are one and shall always remain one. ‘June pechasi’ course ki Jai.
JAI HIND
© NOEL ELLIS
19964-KEREN COMPANY-BHAGAT BATTALION-BHANGI PLATOON
Comments
Post a Comment