Deadly Daggers
A posting to Wellington as a Directing Staff
post your command is greeted with mixed reactions by most of the Colonels in
Indian Army. Yes, the first feeling is euphoric, that professionally you have
probably made a mark and this is just its recognition. But soon the day-to-day
mundane issues overpower this feeling and one has to start staring at some of
the facts, primary among them is a separation in the offing due to the kids’
education and of course the distance from the heartland so to say. The
environment also conveys a similar approach; some of the colleagues go green
with envy, while others bring out the practical difficulties associated with
such a move.
Mine was also a similar predicament, in fact,
when the command was nearing an end, I had sought out the Mysterious Branch (Military
Secretary branch, responsible for what is euphemistically referred to as Human
Resource Management, in simple language they manage our postings and
promotions) and asked them if they had any issues with my application for study
leave, fearing that I would probably be told to lay off. But surprise of
surprises, I was told to go right ahead, and so I decided that it was about
time I hone my technical prowess and opted for pursuing postgraduation in
Engineering. The added attraction of course was that my son was at a crucial
juncture in his academic pursuits, the proverbial class XII and I felt I could
help him stay focussed on task at hand. We have all been through this age when
the hormones start to make their presence felt and an adolescent lad can be
more than a handful for the mother to handle all by herself, with you providing
just the moral and material support long distance.
I was
already imagining myself as a student and for the first time in my life in a
real college (!!) so to say. National Defence Academy, Military College of
Telecommunication Engineering and Defence Services Staff College don’t really
qualify as colleges as they are premier military institutions and are more
military than academic. Looking forward to interacting with youngsters in the
college canteens, GTs (the mass bunking), yes it seemed rather exciting. I had
even started to colour my hair to keep that youthful appearance. But all that
was short-lived and then came this bolt from the blue, the Mysterious Branch
unveiled another one of their famous mysteries and sent me packing to the
salubrious environs of Wellington. As luck would have it, my reliever, Col (
now a two star) KV Kumar, a fellow Rimcollian was coming in for his second
command himself, having earned the coveted Dagger here. Another one of those
mysteries of MS Branch to send him for another command assignment having done
his time in hell in his previous avatar as the CO.
Daggers can be earned, or you are born into it,
Delta Squadron NDA guys are born into it, not by merit, just by birth like in
our Caste system. Then there are those who earn it the hard way like the
Commando Daggers who are awarded this coveted title after a gruelling commando course
in which they come out trumps, leading the pack. The last but not the least by
any means are that breed who were sent back to Wellington as Instructors since
they did not do full justice the first time, they landed up here.
Be that as it may, we all have very fond
memories of this institution, so grudgingly one accepted the Wellington has, to
use the cliché, “the old-world charm”
and far from the madding crowd, it is an idyllic haven for a recluse like me.
Having landed up here, the pristine beauty and nature at its magnanimous best
naturally made me thank the Almighty for having got me here yet again. Once
again the Mungerilal (the one who indulged in the favourite pastime of many a
students here, day-dreaming)in me took off on flights of fancy, golf, nature
walks, bird watching (I mean the feathered ones!!) and lot of time for creative
pursuits. But alas, I was yet to be blooded and as the ignoramus that I am,
wondered what was all this whining for something as innocuous as corrections,
something which we undertook on a routine basis in the units, correcting
drafts! The old timers just smiled very indulgently, amused at this banter by
the first
termer.
The first
interactions with the student officers were naturally very interesting and
despite the hours spent on the table, it did appear to be good. We managed to
steal some golfing moments also once in a while, renewed my acquaintance with
Squash court (my old pal) and of course the course-mates only provided that
icing on the cake. It seemed too good to be true and so it was, the first set
of corrections soon made their way to our tables. Having perused the sample
corrections by now, the mammoth proportions were now quite evident to the
rookies like me also. For unversed, the Directing Staff here write more than
the students themselves, so for every line of theirs a paragraph worth is added
in terms of corrections and value addition. But putting on a brave front, we
set upon this in a warlike manner, the first one was overcome with no bruises,
neither the ego nor the intellect, all safe in their respective havens. But
soon it was time for some thinking with “Soch Vichar”(name of an Exercise), and
I realised as to why was it named “Kaise Karoon” when we did the course, it was
more apt naturally. About 225 pages (nine files multiplied by an average of 25
pages submission each! for the uninitiated!)took their toll on our limbs and I
was left wondering as to why didn’t Almighty make us all ambidextrous, if not
all at least the Directing Staff at DSSC at least should be blessed with this
boon. A new ailment was soon reported which left the medical fraternity all
puzzled, “Correction Elbow”, yes just like its more common cousin Tennis
elbow it afflicts the person whose elbow has been over-exercised. The followers
of Hippocrates have thrown up their hands in despair, now we are on the lookout
for alternate medicines, as the corrections stream doesn’t appear to be drying
anytime too soon, what with spate of exercises Chinthe, Parvat Raksha already
piled up and Laxman Rekha to follow soon.
25 comments:
Amazing as always Suyash!
We used to envy those who got posted to DSSC Wellington!!!
But then we also realised later, what a Mule DS actually is all about!
You have provided just a glimpse of that!😇😇
🥰
Interesting read. Well written.
Great Suyesh
Down the memory lane
👍
Great Suyash
Tenure at Wellington was surely fantastic and brought back great memories.
Great read!!! Now they are the ones who really earn their instructional allowance.
Great read sir
Super Suyash. 👌 you were my protocol senior. Great times
Great insight into a DS's daily affairs.
Interesting read
Great read..you convey so beautifully. Always apleasure to read the musings.
Great.
Didn’t realise the extent of your duties, you always looked fresh n relaxed in the salubrious climes during our course. Always thought it was Khushi time for the DS ilks🤗. Your pen flows flawlessly sir. Frogman
Memories refreshed.
Very interesting 👌
You have fanned the Dagger spirit 💪💪
psc, ptsc are nice 'decorations' and a 'dagger' despite it's pain, is indeed an icing on the crown !
Brought back memories of my DS tenure. It put me on the path to strategic research and writing. Thoroughly enjoying the journey.
Suyash, we met first time after NDA at DSSC in 2006 or 2007, while I visited for a talk on PAF. So being the DS, the first question put up to me(Air Force course mate ) … who you were? Obviously getting one up for not recollecting your name. The trade mark of DS… being satisfied only after being one up.. Another good experience sharing.
The travails of being a DS at the DSSC! All said and done, I am sure it would have been a memorable, and treasured experience.
Amazing as usual
Great read Suyash as always
Post a Comment