I met reuben in Jul 1983 when we joined NDA Wing at Ghorpuri. He was the NDA Entrance Merit List topper, a tall dark and lanky fellow with a beaming 32 carat smile and we were allotted the same room in 49 Division of Mike Squadron. We were roomies with three others with us, which was probably the biggest of them all, we naturally became great friends. The other three were Sameer Anukul (who stole a march over all of us (*Sameer you will be missed – SENSE IN THE NON SENSE* https://thesuyashsharma.com/sameer-you-will-be-missed/), NA Vinod and KPS Rana. Reuben and self landed up in the same class as well, Class “D”, which stayed put for the next two and a half years even in NDA main Campus. Incidentally the other Class D types here in Mhow are Akash Bhanot and Ashok Vasudevan also.
We sixteen year old lads were blooded together, rolled and riled (cribbed) laughed and lampooned, indulged in gluttony and gimmickry and lived every moment we spent in the Academy in the three formative years. Reuben was a prankster, always upto his tricks, playing the fool, keeping all of us amused through some of those difficult times. His antics would invariably take the pressure off us and we would all be ready to take on the challenges head on together once again. But when we moved to the main Campus we were allotted different squadrons, he was assigned Alfa, Rana went to Bravo, Anukul to Foxtrot, Vinod and self landed up in Juliet. Since the Academic Class remained the same, we stayed connected, as almost half the day was spent in these very class rooms.
Class D in NDA is for the guys who were not the torchies (brightest sparks) of the Course nor at the bottom of the pyramid, Class F types, the ones who made getting GCIs (compartment) a habit and then managing to squeeze past without losing a term, into an art form. We were fortunate to have a Dr AB Rao as our Maths Professor, he was the most benevolent and empathetic teacher I have come across. He would never wake us up in class as we would invariably be dog tired after all the ragda. Reuben was his favourite. We would often play ‘battleships’ in class, would make our own crossword puzzles and scramble the words, he was a wizard with unscrambling. Soon it was time to move on to Indian Military Academy Dehradun. This one year we were in different battalions so the interaction was relatively less. He did well, was an appointment, a Junior Under Officer and joined Infantry, 5 Madras battalion while I joined Signals.
We stayed in touch via letters and Christmas / New Year greetings, and got to know about his marriage to Sheeba, his stint in NSG and the epitome of his professional acumen when he passed the Staff College Entrance. We again met up when I landed up at Secunderabad after my course and his unit was also with us. He commanded 8 Rashtriya Rifles battalion with distinction in Jammu and Kashmir and went on to tenant a number of other coveted appointments in his career spanning 33 long years.
One vacation when I was here in Indore, he specially called me and asked me to move in the neighbourhood at Sumeru Hills in Mhow, where he and Sheeba had made their own dream house. A sprawling 10000 square feet plot and a palace for a home very thoughtfully done up, away from the hustle and bustle of life, his own abode where he could witness the sunrise and sunset at peace. Since I belonged to Indore, I chose to stick to that place but definitely resolved to keep coming down to Mhow over weekends.
A regular at the DSOI here, Reuben was a passionate Tambola player and a keen gardener who would spend hours in his garden tending to each and every blade himself. A dog lover, who would go out of his way to look after all the dogs in the neighbourhood, get them vaccinated and even attend to them in sickness. A lively fellow, who we thought was defying ageing as he retained his youthful looks even as he turned sixty, so the news of his illness was a terrible shock for us friends and course-mates. His time had come, the Almighty was pleased with him and sure enough He wanted him back there. A compassionate soul, his infectious smile is all that is left for us to remember him by. One seat in the “Class D bench” will continue to be reserved for him forever.
56 thoughts on “My Friend Reuben”
Very well articulated, Suyash!
Reuben Peters was an amazing human being, in addition to all his accomplishments in the army!
We will miss him! RIP my friend!
Beautifully composed, as usual, Suyash .. RIP Peters 😢
Very well articulated, Suyash!
Reuben Peters was an amazing human being, in addition to all his accomplishments in the army!
We will miss him! RIP my friend!
Again an excellent read with tinge of luv n emotions down the memory lane. May Reuben Sir RIP.
A beautiful tribute to a coursemate from a coursemate. Reuben has earned what people yearn- love and respect from friends. Great one Suyesh.
And to Reuben….rest in peace!
Great suyash,reuben was a buddy in bangalore ,we spent two years together,the families met socially a no of times,gelled well
Thank you Suyash, a great write up for a course mate.Got to know many things about Reuben through you…We did the SC course together…
Straight from the heart as always, Su. Very poignant and touching. RIP Reuben
Touching and from the core of your heart !! Kudos on this one
Sir,
Apt words, straight from core.
RIP Reuben Sir. Your one liners will be missed.
Regards
Sir,
An obituary from a course mate and a friend is the best gift one can give at such a pass.
Great to you that Dr Rao was your teacher too.
Regards.
A fine tribute to a fine officer. Sterling bonds!!
Well said Suyash. He will always be missed.
Reuben was an NDA squadron type. Will miss you brother! Well brought out-Suyash!
Suyash! A Very fitting Tribute to our Dear Friend Reuben encapsulating his Life Journey from KDs- OGs- Civies…to his Heavenly abode.
your tribute and tears in eyes.. every live is a memory pointer…god needs take prority..thank u suyash ..read reread and lived in nostalgic memoirs..Rip Ruben.. Vishy
We will definitely miss him. After NDA we met in Mhow in October 2019 when I got posted to ACE. Thereafter, our families kept on meeting as late as Feb 2025, when I came to attend Ananya ‘s marriage. So cheerful & full of josh Reuben was. We have great family bonding. I don’t have courage to face Sheeba & Jessica as of now, but we are going to meet them as early as possible. RIP dear Reuben.
Madhuri n I spent a lovely evening with him at his place. He always knew my love for sunrises and sunset clicks. He took me up rt above the terrace to absorb the quintessential sunset over the hills. Always full of joy and energy. Pure at heart. He even gave me his exotic teas to take home. I still enjoy it. Met ma’am and she imdt clicked with Madhuri. I even made a full video of that stay. He has left us in real but his fond memories will remain etched forever.
Suyash, a great tribute to a great soul. Thanks to your pen n brilliance his Legacy has reached xs to so many. Kudos 👏
A befitting tribute penned for a dear friend straight from the heart!
A wonderful write up regarding a soldier who had plethora good qualities in him. A friend of friends or yaaron ka yaar! You write up enabled me to construct his personality. A person, whom I never had the good fortune to acquaint with. Perhaps his lady wife continues to stay in their Xanadu, keeping him in her memories, in every nook and cranny of that abode.
A very befitted memoir penned for the ever effusive and smiling Rueben.
Quite taken aback by the sudden turn of events. You will be missed Reuben!
Sir, I am deeply shocked and saddened to hear about this. It’s hard to believe that someone so full of life, energy, and enthusiasm is no longer with us. I used to see him regularly at Tambola at DSOMI — always keen, always active, and undoubtedly one of the prime attractions of the event. His presence brought a certain charm and vibrance that will be dearly missed. It feels unreal that we won’t be seeing him in his usual spot, greeting everyone with that spark in his eyes. May his soul rest in eternal peace. My heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones.
Ever smiling and cheerful friend. Will be missed by all of us.
Pankaj
Dear Reuben
My fellow competitor in sleeping 💤 in Class D at NDA . We both were lovable targets of Dr A B Rao designated by him that we both have Horse Sickness.
Reuben you beat me this time .
RIP dear friend.
Vasu
What a tribute Suyash! Beautifully penned down.
RIP Rueben
An amazing fellow, that was Reuben. Well eulogised dear Suyash.
Very sorry and sad to learn about Reuben leaving us so early. A fine fellow who was full of josh. We were in the same Coy in IMA. May God Bless his Noble Soul.
Met him at your place in February this year.
Nicely penned tribute for your friend and Coursemate Suyash.
Suyash so well articulated. We will miss Reuben.
Bob
Memories of good times & good people last forever . Very well written Suyash. Reuben you will be loved & remembered always .
Very nicely articulated sir. Reuben was my over study in my second term at A sqn. Shocked to learn of his demise. RIP dear sir
No better tribute than this Suyash for our dear departed coursemate
Great tribute for Reuben who deserved every word iof it.
What a lovely write up, Suyash. I’ve been out of touch with Reuben over the years, so thanks for reminding us of him so beautifully. RIP brother.
What a wonderful tribute to a coursemate Suyash. May his good soul rest in eternal peace.
Thank you Suyash,I had the good fortune to sit beside dear Reuben in D class on many a occasion.What a soul Reuben, rest in peace buddy.We will cherish his memories till we are able to recollect
A great tribute to your buddy
A wonderful tribute.
Rest in Peace buddy. 🙏
A befitting tribute to dear Col Reuben, a perfect gentleman and an officer with exemplary leadership qualities. He will always be missed . Om Shanti…
Beautifully penned.
The epitome of happiness. Beautiful tribute to a lovely soul. Wishing him smooth transition into other world.
🙏 OM SHANTI
One more star added to the universe. I met Reuben after NDA in 1988 when I was on INS Cheetah, a LST(M), and we would do the Madras – KKS/Trinco runs with troops. I was on the upper deck getting the hold cleaned after the last trip when I saw a familiar jaunty walk profile on the jetty. And it was Reuben. We spent a few delightful hours catching up till he left the ship at KKS. After that was the NDA reunion. RIP Reuben. You will be missed.
Well articulated tribute from the heart. May his soul rest in peace.
Thanks to Suyash for the apt tribute to our mate Reuben.
I happened to be on the same SSB Batch as Reuben when I met him first in Mar 83. He has been a wonderful person and a soldier always. RIP buddy ….
Petro is gone! I can’t believe the news. Your article brings out the life in him, his liveliness and infectious smile.. gone too soon. 😔
Suyash, thanks for taking us through the good old memory lanes. Today when we look back , it gives a feeling that it was just yesterday. Yes, one does remember Reuben very fondly…. same div in 1st term. NDA punishments. During commando course we were commando buddies, he stood second on the course . We joined in Senior command course , later as Commanding Officers in the same area. Later as sector Commander have privilege to serve with 8RR ( a wonderful outfit). Later , at Baramulla I specially picked Boys from his unit to be with me. All because it was Reuben once commanded it. Later we remained in touch. His last year’s visit to Eastern Europe was something which he seemingly enjoyed the most. Suyash, once again thanx for taking us through our journey with Reuben…. Friend and Coursemate with large heart and ever smiling darling. Will deeply miss him. God Bless His Soul ! 🙏🏻
A wonderful write up regarding a soldier who had plethora good qualities in him. A friend of friends or yaaron ka yaar! You write up enabled me to construct his personality. A person, whom I never had the good fortune to acquaint with. Perhaps his lady wife continues to stay in their Xanadu, keeping him in her memories, in every nook and cranny of that abode.
A very befitted memoir penned for the ever effusive and smiling Rueben.
Thank you, Suyash, for taking us down the memory lane with this heartfelt tribute to our ever-smiling and forever-young Reuben. We will miss you, buddy. A deep sense of loss… sadness beyond words.
Really very well written, again a trip down the memory lane with small details remembered, wonder how you manage to record such things. A wonderful tribute to Peters, RIP Peters
Very Well written Suyash. We will all miss his infectious smile and his his pranks. Great guy. RIP Peter.
Very well written.. as only a coursemate can do.
Dear Suyash,
Very touching and as always beautifully articulated. Have known Reuben for as long as I can remember and was pleasantly surprised that he too had chosen Mhow to settle down. We met him frequently at social events and he always came across as a person who was content and happy. His sudden passing has left a deep void in all our hearts. May the lord grant courage to his family. RIP Reuben
Hi Suyash, Very well written.
Very sorry to learn about Reuben Peter. He was my neighbour at Manesar during my tenure at NSG .
RIP Reuben.
Befitting eulogy Sir for a friend who was family to you.