It started with a call, “Hi where are you?”, “Indore” was my response, “Oh I thought you were in Mhow”. RCT was on line and I immediately pounced on him,”You must read the blogs, which I send out”, knowing fully well, an Army Commander is a busy person, but then course-mates have a right to pull each other’s legs. I enquired what was he doing in Mhow, now it was his turn to take a dig,”You are retired, but you may like to peruse the papers once in a while, we are here for the ‘Infantry Commanders Conference’”. He said “We must catch up”. There we both agreed and I said I will await his call. I knew these conferences are time consuming so we would probably get a small window sometime over the course of next two days. When next day I didn’t receive any call, I understood, their schedule was quite packed, so I suggested that both he and Andy, the two Army Commanders of our course should drop by on their way to the airport. Both of them immediately appreciated the idea and we locked it.
While Preeti my better half, got on with the preparations, knowing fully well, that there would be a full fledged cavalcade following them, I started wondering, what exactly is this course spirit? In NDA, we were not in the same Squadron or even Company later in IMA, not even in the same academic class, the two of them are hard core Infantarians, I am a Signaller, it was only much later in Service, that with RCT I did the staff course and with Andy, served in Leh and then we went back to Wellington together as DSs. But the spirit did not get kindled during these stints, it was always prevalent and the spark need not even be a physical one, just a phone call is enough. This spirit, as people say is in the air in the academies, highly infectious, as all of us catch the bug without exception. The reputation travels through the word of mouth and even in the academies, we do get to know one another as though each one is a chuddy buddy. We were 300 of us when we joined the NDA and 200 of us who landed up in the IMA, the balance 100 went to the Air Force Academy and Naval Academy. With Army counterparts, we generally do cross paths over the three decades plus service that most us have put in, either on courses of instruction or postings together, with the sister services too, the tri-services courses like Staff Course, Higher Command, NDC you get to rub shoulders, where our better halves too learn to bond as they have no other option. We socialise with them and chat up about them, so the spouses do realise that they would be missing the fun, if they stayed out of this close bond. The ‘bondage’ reminds me of a song in the yesteryear classic film “Rajanigandha”, where the heroine croons, “Kitana sukh hai bandhan men”, meaning the pleasure of this bondage has to be experienced to be realised, she is of course referring to her lover. But the context remains the same, this bond has to be lived through to realise its true worth and meaning in our lives. My Dad was sick, in the ICU, Andy comes calling, puts in a word. My daughter Ananya’s wedding RCT makes it a point to grace the occasion, having promised her.The gestures matter. These are moments to treasure, yesterday too was a similar moment, RCT with Gauri and Andy with Ruchira landed up for a cup of coffee and lit up the place literally. Two warm bear hugs, lots of backslapping and some leg pulling and we were back in the academy. That spirit, which can’t be defined, which has to be experienced, was evident, you can see me beaming with pride at the glorious achievements of two of our stalwarts.
Our quiet lane was buzzing with activity since the day before, when the CMP pilot vehicle came to check on the route. The civilian world is suddenly shaken up when they see people in uniform and having watched the spectacle of the cavalcade, I am sure it will be the talk of our neighbourhood for a number of days. We will enjoy in the basked glory. Here you can see an extremely proud father relishing these moments with us.
27 thoughts on “COURSE SPIRIT”
Lovely event and awesome write up
Lovely write up and beautiful pictures jijaji 🫡🙂
Just WoW post.
Good to see this blog within 24 hours of the visit
Absolutely relishing read….only the coursemates can understand the feelings expressed therein….you once again pick up the lost thought s and nostalgic memories during such surprise gatherings…..nicely penned with your characteristic style …..kudos
Wonderful Sir, I am sure the nostalgia was great and worth catching up. Coursemates are definitely the best Chuddy Buddies or Bum Chums. The longer you have been together in School and later in various Academies or during courses in Service, the bonding is at more mysterious levels, much to the bewilderment of our better halves. All understood, even when not a word spoken.
Very well-written article, sir. The beautiful thing about coursemates is that—even if you haven’t interacted with them for years or even decades—you still meet them with the same warmth and enthusiasm.
Suyash ,you are truly SU good yash glory /success / fame .our RIMCO tivra chaukash .You have the knack to convey the exact feelings .Very nice to see you three.
That is copybook course spirit playing out!! Well done all of you !!!
Great that they could visit you Suyash. Truely it is enduring friendships and shared moments that light up our lives. Kudos to Anindya and RCT for taking the time and effort-Arun
Dear Aashu,
You are,
Like a
Star in the sky
You are
Fragrance in rose
Your talent echoes
GIRIJESH VYAS
Very well written Sir, and lovely photographs .
A wonderful write up Suyash ! The coursemate bond is a permanent bond, just as we were taught about that bond in Chemistry ! Whatsapp is a splendid bond facilitator and it will keep the bunch of coursemates together, till the end. A day certainly will come when only one of the course will be left in a group and the others will be having some boisterous discussion and party, high above at Valhalla ! Lastly, Whatsapp or no Whatsapp, the course spirit will always bind us in hearts, minds and fond memories !
Awesome and memorable! Joi de vivre, to pick your catchphrase Suyash.
Very nice subject sir …. coursemates are only a phone call away
👍 excellent !!
Three great guys together at Indore. What more can one ask for. Cheers.
Suyash, The write-up beautifully celebrates the timeless course spirit that binds soldiers long after service. Through a simple phone call and an impromptu meeting, it highlights how camaraderie forged in NDA and IMA transcends arms, appointments, and years. Your blog captures heartfelt gestures, help during personal crises, presence at family milestones and the pride of seeing coursemates rise to exalted ranks. The lively scene of the cavalcade and the warmth of bear hugs, laughter, and shared memories bring the bond alive. In just a few moments, you have powerfully conveyed how these friendships remain a cherished, lifelong bond. My salute to RCT and Andy. Well done. Regards Rakesh Bhatia
Very well written Suyash!
Dear Suyash -Very well penned down.An apt tribute to Coursemate Spirit.Big salute to RCT and Andy for their enduring friendship.Stay Blessed.
The bonds of course mates are stronger than those of matrimony….I did not say. 🐻 hug and 🍺. Congratulations to THE COURSE!!!
An apt tribute to our course spirit.Nice of Andy n RCT to have calling on you to catch some fleeting moments of our almost four decades journey. Kudos to all of you.
Your words buzz with ebullience…the euphoria of meeting the treasured people is unmatched, specially the course mates…I can say for how the wife feels…she too bubbles with similar joy…
knowing Mrs Sharma, she must have laid down a hearty lavish spread, topped with her boundless love.
Very nice bro. Very nice of RCT and Andy to drop by. They are the humblest of our lot. Great to see you enjoying together.
Touching! Lovely! The journey of life after all is measured in friends, not miles. And once a coursemate, always a coursemate.
Pl do read my memories of similar, yet different experiences at https://servedfunnysideup.com/2024/10/29/ah-coursemates-devils-in-disguise-but-then-angels-too/
Rare moment; well captured.
Pankaj
The spirit of togetherness, a bond that has been made over years…ranks disappear and what remains is the camaraderie, the back slapping and nostalgia of days spent together. Great write up and wonderful pics. Raj Jagga