After having successfully completed almost 52 weeks of training we the motley group of the Eightieth regular course at Dehradun were about to embark on the toughest challenge which was the culmination of all that our worthy instructors tried to literally drill it into us, Camp Chindits. The camp is reported to be amongst the toughest in the world for trainee cadets. We were eagerly looking forward to this challenge, after all we had to prove to ourselves as also the authorities that be that ” we have it in us” and the academy had been successful in making men out of the young lads who had ventured on to this glorious path.
Dehradun is nestled amidst the Shivaliks, an idyllic abode for old fogies, the hills and the dry river beds together with the scorchingSun in peak summer months are quite a deadly combination . The camp actually is a misnomer as there is very little camping, as the common perception of camp is a leisurelyactivity to getaway from the routine monotonous humdrum of everyday life, instead we indulge in number of route marches and certain other tactical training activities. One of them is firing, during the training we are taught the finer nuances of firing from all kinds of personal weapons, rifles, pistols, machine guns, small mortars and even rocket launchers. One such exercise is called GolaBari literally meaning just ” firing” but it is not just ordinary firing, it is the complete armoury at the disposal of an infantry battalion duly supported by artillery and even tanks which opens up, to give the gentlemen cadets a glimpse of the might of a full fledged attack. It is definitely not recommended for the faint hearted, we actually got goose bumps ourselves, when we went through with this experience.
So for this exercise, we were nominated to fire from the light machine gun, a 100 rounds each, while the others had to stay content with the rifles and mere 30 rounds each. We started of by first collecting the ammunition,filled our magazines and then went berserk just poofed up the ammunition. All the guns blazing simultaneously was thrilling, after all this was the first such occasion for all of us. All the scenes from those world war movies that we had seen and imagined ourselves as the heroes, the experience was surreal. After the euphoria, it was the drudgery of collecting the empty fired cases of ammunition, which had to be ensured and brought us back to the mother earth from Hollywood. Since I had fired a 100 rounds I had to account for 100 fired cases as well, well I could collect just 90 of them. I searched everywhere, the ground sheet which could have hidden them in its folds, the bushes in the vicinity where they could have flown off, these cartridge cases are not needle sized and the shiny brass should have given away their location; summoned all the course mates to join me in this mission, but alas there was absolutely no trace . Panic was setting in, loss of a simple cartridge case invites sever disciplinary action,here I couldn’t account for 10 of them, trouble was staring me in the face. I could imagine the look of disbelief on the faces of our Company commander and Directing staff when I would actually report the matter. With prayer on my lips mustering all my courage I reported the loss, suddenly there was a hush, even the birds seemed to have stopped chirping. I was asked to repeat what I had just said, then they took over, firing was ceased, we were asked to form groups and swarm the complete area and search on our haunches, closer to mother earth, less chances of missing them. Three or four DSs meanwhile went down to the ammunition point and carried out a physical count of all the rounds fired and empty cartridge cases deposited. To everyone’s relief the figures tallied.
But sure enough I could not be let off so easily, so the DSs descended on me and there was no form of punishment barring corporal, which I was spared from ……. I was literally bleeding from every pore, but I had no cribs and was immensely grateful to the DS body for resolving the issue,or so I thought. There were some more twists in this tale awaiting me.
The next event was the Josh run back to the academy, being the CSM, I was expected to ensure the Company signed off in style. We ran back carrying some additional packs and rifles when some of our comarades were too fatigued. On reporting back I was again summoned, I presumed I would be expected to carry on from where I left off,next round of punishments, but what awaited me shook the earth beneath me. My Company commander, Maj (later Brig) RGK Divekar, a para sapper,asked me to have a seat, I knew then and there, I was in trouble, nobody sits in the Company office except during that perfunctory interview,which itself is a misnomer. That is hardly an interview,it is just a series of dressing downs that are handed down with some expletives thrown in for effect. But this had to be way above all that, he even offered me a glass of water, the suspense was killing me. He was probably trying to soften the blow, so he began by asking me about my family,RIMC,NDA and other issues in the academy, then suddenly he blurted out, “Sometimes it is better not to get what you desire and went on to elaborate that passing out later could be beneficial to me in the long run” . I tried to ask him about the physical count of the ammunition which was carried out at the camp site, he was evasive. He said a Court of Inquiry had been ordered and wished me the best, reassuring me that the Company will stand by me in this ordeal, but could not promise anything at that juncture.
Shell shocked still dazed I walked into the office of Capt (now Lt Gen and Central Army Commander) BS Negi, seeing my state, he asked me to sit, those of us who have had the privilege of being under his tutelage will understand, what I am about to narrate. We all were mortally scared of him, he carried such a reputation of being extremely tough with the Gentlemen cadets, we had been at the receiving end on a number of occasions. But at that moment, he gave a patient hearing to all my pleas of innocence and finally assured me that not just the Company even the Battalion commander had decided to take up cudgels on my behalf, should push come to shove. But the situation was grim, that was a fact. That could not be belied.
The court of Inquiry commenced and my statement was recorded with line of cross questions laying the blame on me for not having been careful in handling ammunition, how could I not notice that there were only 90 rounds issued in place of 100 as authorised. All the evidence pointed that I had collected 100 and fired them but lost the 10 cartridge cases as alleged. I did not have anything to substantiate my statement. The ammunition NCO too was summoned for his statement, he simply reiterated that I had deposited 10 less cartridge cases. I did not get an opportunity to cross question him, not aware of Army Rule 22, where the accused has the right to cross question the witnesses. The verdict did not appear to be favourable, I was to blame for carelessness, which could not be refuted.
The ordeal had just begun, the Passing out parade was approaching, parents were invited and had got their tickets booked. With situation looking hopeless, I had no option but to write to them, trying to explain the entire episode, with worst case scenario, where I may end up losing a term…..so no POP…There were no telephones, probably a blessing in disguise else it would have simply added to the stress. My parents, though civilians could understand the gravity of the situation, my father had been in the NCC, that helped. I received a very reassuring response, where he asked me not to lose hope and keep my faith in the Almighty. Their plans for the trip to Dehradun were not being altered and naturally they would pray for me. A valuable lesson for today’s parents, of being the support to your kids without adding to the stresses that the youngsters face as it is.
The wait was killing but I had no option, I was told the Court of Inquiry had been put up to the Deputy Commandant, so was dreading the summons for a march up any moment. As the POP day was nearing, hoping against hope that I might just be let off, after all the authorities could not be so heartless, so near yet so far…. Then there were naysayers who would recount stories of last day relegations in previous terms for lesser offences. Keeping my fingers crossed, I put on a brave face but within I was terribly scared, the mere thought of spending six more months training at IMA was anathema. I was a Signals optee and was assured of getting my choice of arm, by virtue of being in the first block and generally perceived to be at the head of the pack amongst the future Jimmies. But in those moments of despair I just hoped to pass out even if I was last in the merit and landed up in any arm or service as long as I passed out on 13 Jun 87.
Well the parents arrived with my siblings in tow, since no summons were received, I presumed that I was forgiven this lapse and all was well, afraid of rekindling the issue, I did not query even the Directing staff of the outcome. Suddenly on 12th Jun, I received a message that the Deputy Commandant was looking for me, I immediately did the disappearing act, reappearing straight for the POP next morning and finally the ” antim pag”, (which Preeti, my better half rightly says, should be the “Pratham pag”,after all that is the beginning of our professional career), was taken and we moved onto the battalion offices to receive our respective posting orders, my Battalion commander Col Padmanabhan, an Air OP pilot, summoned me inside and asked me if I had met the Deputy yesterday, when I replied in the negative. He just added that for all practical purposes i had been awarded 15 days Gatings (punishment!) and a Battalion Routine Order to that effect had been published, which I may not have been aware of. The sincere prayers of my parents were answered!
I have often wondered as to how did I manage to come out literally unscathed from this imbroglio? Was it due to the fact that I had an exemplary record in discipline or was it because of my performance in the last about an year, which tilted things in my favour, or the Directing staff of the battalion rose to defend my case, when it mattered, or was it just the ambiguity associated with the role played by the Ammunition NCO or may be all these factors together and some luck ….frankly there is no way to know what actually transpired there. But it drove home the most valuable lifelong lesson for me, the Almighty will surely come to bail you out if you have been honest in your efforts all through, a bits and pieces work of excellence doesn’t help.
