It's 13th Jun again today, 35 years done and dusted. The OG that we got wedded to 35 years ago, has acquired a skin like affinity to our bodies and soul. Sans uniform, we feel naked somehow. We are aware that soon it shall be time for us to grow out of this acquired skin, a couple of days, months or for some fortunate ones a few years more, but finally we shall have to bid adieu, howsoever painful it may be. Having turned 35 in this metamorphosed life, yes we were actually metamorphosed from what we were back then, lanky awkward youth hailing from disparate regions, speaking all possible languages enshrined in the constitution and some dialects well …we might as well let the sleeping dogs lie..
Actually for some of us who decided to adorn the uniform even earlier, the RIMC Sainik School, Military School types it's been more than four decades, 44 to be precise. The glamour of uniform is universal and cuts across geographical barriers. Obviously we stand out in a crowd, the brass on the shoulders adds to the persona and the medal ribands add distinct colour, the gait and upright stance does the rest. It's a package gifted to us by our venerable Drill Ustaads, all the digging in the drill squares ensured that we can't be seen slouching anywhere under any circumstances.
Why this sudden affinity for uniform today, well I was in a Civil hospital this morning prior to going to the office and was obviously attired in the dress of the day, not only was I greeted by most of the people but the respect which was visible in their eyes filled me with a justifiable pride in the rich and glorious traditions of our Armed Forces. Despite all the efforts by vested interests, this pillar of the country stands firm in its commitment to the national cause. That is the reason why we can stand tall in any society, paraphrasing with due apologies to Cliff Richard
"When I was just a little baby, I didn't have many toys
But my mama used to say, "Son,You got more than other boys
Now you may not be good looking, And you may not be too rich
But you'll never, ever be alone 'Cause you've got uniform"
Today it is Black, which of course is Beautiful, more glamorous and attractive than the rather serious Olive Greens, be it the Combats or the disruptive pattern of uniform which we adopted from the good old Olive Green dungarees essentially to improve operational combat efficiency in Counter Insurgency and Counter Terror operations or its various other avatars, the love affair just keeps growing. In the Armed Forces we have taken our fetish for the uniforms to a different level altogether, so we have the summer and winter uniforms and we have ceremonial uniforms for both in addition, and then we have the Mess dresses, which though attractive may make even peacocks envious of the colours that we bestow on ourselves. We inherited these from the British Army and have stuck to them in the name of traditions… with Wellington Spurs to boot literally! When Mess dresses are written about can Dinner Nights be far behind! Dinner Nights are yet again another one of those traditions which have probably outlived their utility. I know some of us old fogies would get emotional and may even shed copious amount of tears even at the mention of deteriorating Dinner Night standards. But in the digital century, these archaic traditions ought to given a deserving ceremonial burial.
Even at the cost of being cliched, Army is not just a career or another profession it’s a way of life, it’s actually Life energy for most of us, our raison d’etre!! Cheers!!
47 comments:
So true, I too firmly believe that its a way of life. It has its own morals, values and ethics which together forms a culture to imbibe and a unbreakable spirit of camaraderie. Those who are only building a career from this life may be doing more damage than good.
Beautifully written Suyash. I am sanguine that once you shed the acquired skin, we will get to read some great stories from your pen.
Gold bless.
Col Romesh Kaul
Heroes wore capes for most children, but for all young brats, their fathers in the uniform was the superhero they all looked up to. Just their presence when they got home, from the office, from a party, or from a long field tenure on chutti, could bright up the entire room.
I guess none of us will ever find anyone to match up to that, the aura their upright uniformed personalities always had!
What you felt in the hospital today was my reason to somehow get you to come to the PTMs in my school in uniform!
I can never forget the pride filled eyes of both our grandparents whenever you would be dressed up in any of the wonderful uniforms. For you, it may be akin to peacocks, but for us, you always shone the brightest I any room with any number of people.
And uniform, or sans uniform, that will never change!
Many congratulations to you, Papa! But you must remember that the uniform will never truly leave you even if you have to bid adeu to it officially.
Oh!Yes, each word expresses a collective opinion of us all. Thanks for bringing it up today, 13Jun.
Black - From berret to Shyam
Well said Suyash. Nostalgia all the way.
Having opted for Signals, EME and Engrs and landing up in SIKH LI, way more ‘technical’ than anything I could have imagined. But then it was a life full of fun and adventure all through thereafter.
So say the rest of us!! Brilliant and emotive piece. There is no Retirement for the mind and soul, the badge on the sleeve until the end of time.
The best of A classification 53 NDA joined SIKH LI and rose to be a PSO
Suyash, as always you excel in bringing to fore the spirit behind it all. Whether is 35/39 years or 44 years the Uniform and everything with and around it has been beautifully captured. 🙏
Black is and will always be Beautiful! Especially for some of us who wore the Blay Berets and Black Dungarees! Today as we complete 35 years of crossing the Antim Pag, our heart is full of pride!!!
Amazing as always, Suyash!
And Congratulations to all of us.... From Summer of 87!!
Congratulations on completion of 35 years of service. 👍
Brilliant sir…nostalgic…for us flyboys…it was the “wings”…that gave us the ability to “Touch the Sky with Glory”..💐👍🙏
Very nicely written...Oh yes that AQUIRED SKIN...without it we have no identity actually..but one has to shed one day. Anyway Congratulations for 35th year since commissioning..
Very well written with deep and clear expression of thoughts. Heart touching specially for those who have gone through this. All the best for everything you do of course will do all good.
So true. Even after hanging my boots a decade ago it still feels like I'm in uniform.
Nostalgic. So beautifully articulated. Well done Suyash!
Congrats Suyash....Glorious 35 years In service to the Nation ..Best Wishes
Your heart and pen are so aligned.Such a pleasure to read. Thanks for sharing this article on our special day as we complete 35 years.
Bob
very well written Suyash. It reminds to us of our life style we hv in our profession and envy of ci friends in civil
Very well said dear Suyash .One feels emotional going through your your visit to Mhow is due.
Gulam farid jithhan akhiyaan lagiyaan uthhan kya OG kya kaali ve. Cheers to 35 Sir
Brilliantly written.
Heartiest Congratulations on completing 35 Years of Glorious Service to The Nation.
Amazing narration, as always. We may stop donning the Army Uniform but no one can take away the Army out of our lives. Keep writing.
Indeed it’s a way of life as I have also been putting across. Brilliant piece of writing as always. Heartiest congratulations for completion of 35 years.
Beautifully written Suyash👍
Another lovely piece. More strength to your pen
You nailed it Suyash! This day is a significant mile stone for our course and your write up has brought back flood of happy memories.
THE FINAL STEP. 13th JUNE 1987.
May the march continue..
Lt Col Narinder Bahl
35 years well spent...hopefully we made a difference!
Very well Written Suyash! The aura levels generated on donning the Uniform are unmatchable and have " Residual Effect" Post Walking out of Uniform.
Addendum... Heard often from Academy Instructors" You Guys were in Liquid Form.. When I was already in UNIFORM "...Time Flies..Except for a few ..rest of us have walked out of Uniform.
Very well written article to commemorate Coral Anniversary of commissioning into the Amry. Keep up the momentum of writing, hopefully you'll come out with first day in Academy soon.
Totally agree with you buddy; as the old saying goes (and modified a bit) - you can take yourself out of the uniform on superannuation; but you cannot take the uniform out of you.
35 years just flew by....
You rekindle old memories, Suyash.
Brilliant... Straight from the heart, 'Vardee K shaan ka bakhan Aapney bahut Khoob kiya.. 👏👏👏
Regards Sulabh
Excellent one. Getting emotional about the whole thing exactly 35 years ago. Pankaj
Wish MEN outside uniform could as much acknowledge & appreciate the value of uniform & the value system associated with it. The pen might ilustrate the idea of a nation & justice but it takes swords to make them happen; swords in the hands of uniformed MEN.......
Excellent ode to your special day sir! The mix of nostalgia, professional pride & all the anecdotes makes for a superb combo! Congratulations on the 35th...nay, the 44rth! So beautifully penned!
Suyash, cheers to 35 years! As always, very lucid expressions. I’ve been out of the olive greens for more than 13 years now yet have not been able to shed this acquired skin. Even when in my shorts and tee shirts, people recognize me to be an Army man.
Heartiest Congratulations, Suyash....on serving the nation for 35 long years as well as for the excellent write-up that each one of us can easily relate to. Uniform has indeed a place of great pride for us. In all my 35 odd years, never even once I allowed anyone, my wife included, to set it up with rank, ribbons and badges...I did it everytime and enjoyed each time. But don't worry about the retirement....it is not painful.... just a walk into second innings.... trust me.
Very well written Suyash. Coincidentally, 46 years ago I too took the “antim pag” on the same date. Always enjoy reading your blogs, which are straight from the heart.
Very nice write up ..!! I somehow believe we belong to the old world order as far as job , values and lifestyle goes .
The digital revolution has bought with it a great change . We may now qualify as dinosaurs ..😂😂
Keep writing and posting ..👍🏻👍🏻
Well written Suyash
Resonates with us all, completely. Kudos, as usual, Suyash.
Brilliant piece indeed.... Once a Fauji, always a Fauji.... There is no substitute to pride in uniform !
Beautifully penned down. Took me on a journey to the past... present .........and........ the future . Great....as always.😊😊😊
Loved what you wrote for your dad. These are the true sentiment of Fauji Kids.
So true feelings of everyone who has donned uniform for most part of his life. During my Dinning Out speach before retiring I did raise this question as to "What would I do from tomorrow onwards, as I can't think of any second career which doesn't have the way of life Army has taught me. I would be a misfit anywhere else!!!"
How true when you say it's a way of life, shades of colors don't matter but surely some look more attractive than other, which is human nature,well articulated
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