DIG DIG DIG

 DIG DIG DIG

 

LT COL NOEL ELLIS

27/I/2024

 

It was while doing Staff College at Wellington that we came in close contact with officers of friendly foreign countries. It was good to see them attired in their respective uniforms. A bit of learning for us.

By far our ‘Olive Greens’ stood out beyond doubt. I say this in no manner to disrespect their uniforms but as they say, “hamari vardi ki kuch baat hi alag hai”.

There was a wreath laying ceremony at the ‘war memorial’ right at the gates of Staff College. We used to have ‘Sponsor Officers’  detailed to brief and keep foreign students abreast with everything. Sponsor officers were responsible for briefing them on every aspect and familiarising them with every nook and cranny of the college so that he does not dope it out and reaches at the stipulated time.

There was one student from ‘Vietnam’ who didn’t know English or Hindi. A Lt Col much senior to us, who detailed to lay the wreath on the memorial on behalf of the foreign students. One of my course mates, his sponsor officer, had to familiarise him with the drill before the ceremony. This Vietnamese officer nodded as if he had understood the procedure.

When it came to the final moment, his sponsor officer almost had a heart attack. How hard he had tried to explain the solemnity of the occasion, the need to be smartly turned out in ceremonials, the slow march of a few steps before laying the wreath, the smart salute and the final ‘about turn’. All went in vain.

This officer was dressed in a kind of a faded uniform. His ‘peak cap’ had equivalent service as himself. On the other hand we were dressed in our finest, with shoes, buttons and accoutrements gleaming and shining as never before. His march was the icing on the cake, like a model on the ramp. It was neither a slow march nor a catwalk. It was as casual as casual could be. He did a more casual salute and a unique about turn.

Don’t you March in your country, the sponsor officer asked? What else did I do, he said. He had  taught drill in his country. We were speechless.

We were a little taken aback at the casualness we thought which had been displayed by this officer, not realising he was the best from his country. We Indians take parade and drill to just another level.

We had an Officer from France with us too, who marched exactly like how we saw ‘Capt Noel’ leading the French Army Contingent yesterday at Rajpath. Good that they had their own band accompanying them, or else our bands would have lost their rhythm and beat in the first three steps.

They had nice & plump ‘bandsmen’, unlike ours. Their walk was fit enough to walk through ‘Palika Bazar’ doing window shopping (pun intended).

Had these guys been put under Drill ustads like Sub Lobi Ram, Piar Singh and Hony Capt Darbara Singh, (God Bless his soul), these  French guys would have run away after the first ‘flat foot carry on’ command they would have got on the drill square. Pet ander, chathi bahar, gardan collar touch, ghootna main bend nahi ayega cadet, heel Everest se aa ke dharti main gaarega, baju ka swing agle ka kandha aur pichele ka mooh par lagega, koi shak…. Lef-Ri, Lef-Ri….  

‘Dheere Chal’ was tougher than ‘Tez Chal’. In ‘Salami Shastr’ the ustads expected rifle magazines to fly off when hit with an open palm. A little gap between your elbows in ‘savdhan’ meant ten chukkers of the drill square with your rifles over your head. One nail less out of the 13 in the sole of your drill boot could fetch you three extra drills.

On a ‘Mur’ (turn) one had to turn on one heel and one toe, at the call of ‘Ek’ then a pause for ‘Rajaram-Sitaram’ and then the bang of the feet in unison with the ‘ek’ that followed. Or else it was ‘jaise the’ till cows come home. Gosh!

Every country likes to be distinct in its military mannerism. By far, I have not seen anything better than the Indian contingents. Even the ladies this year did a commendable job when their contingent commanders lifted their feet above their heads to synchronise their heads with ‘Eyes Right’ when saluting the President.

There are two schools of thoughts. One, who like the drill the way it is today and the other, who want it toned down. Why should the word of command be shouted to spray saliva ten feet away, when we have mikes which can amplify the command. The debate is never ending. I am with the former.

I am with the Dig-Dig-Dig types. Which school of thought are you with? I wonder!!!!!!!!!

https://youtu.be/XmyLnCXh2_Y?si=dpqC2umMsisloJfq

JAI HIND

© ® NOEL ELLIS