Watching Bravery Cont.......

The next remembered halt was Bangalore. Big city, big roads, big buildings and big courses in schools. Our colony had 5 buliding of same colour and size. Many a times I baffled and would enter a wrong building. The worst at my school was a subject called Kannada in which i made the world record of getting fail marks or say a null, a zero.

Dad was as usual busy, and here I understood the life of Army in real sense. The parade ground was within a stone throw. Everyday while retuning from school I would notice the young energetic ,dynamic (every adjective is less for them), soldier marching, in every climatic condition. Bangalore was one of the recruitment centres. The Trucks laoded with neophytes would be common view. Men from every part of India come here to achieve dignity and strength and earn respect and admiration.I have witnessed the metamorphism of these new

kids in the block, to masters of Army. Within no times these repelling figures are made to sit in a row for a hair cuts, next phase their uniforms and the final phase when they are on the ground. There you see the elegant , classy ,magnificant , ideal aspect of Indian Army. To join defence is the most difficult work in world. And a person blended with discipline , confidence and passion can achieve it.

Several times, while playing in the army ground we watched their training session of tuff work out. Sometimes, we used to get so inspired by those sessions that we would try to climb those big fatty ropes and jump those wide crater and run as fast as we can. I used to get astonished at thier stiffness and accuracy. The chapter of admiring the profession took a path and urge of joining Army cropped up in my mind. But ofcourse it was too early for me.

I recall when my father was posted in Ranchi, Dipatoli Cantonment ,the last posting of my father.I frequently accompanied with him to near by market called Butimord. "jai Hind sahab" he used to get a salute and believe me more than him i felt pride for being honoured.

To cite up with a incident in Ranchi, which is associated with my sister.She had problem

in transport for going to her school "Gurunanak Public School" as she was the only candidate of that area and the school Bus refused to pick her up. Soon the problem was in the ears of Major Sahab and he was kind enough to provide with vehicle called "Shaktiman". Giant for a single person to travel. Eventually She became famous for her extraordinary school bus and many used to moke at her while others threw comments like "ohh lo aa gayi army ki ladali" but my sister was quite proud of her shaktiman and would step down like a queen elizibat.

Life style in Army aside duty fascinates me, smartly dressed in greenish uniform with a blue cap, closely chopped haircut, washboard belly and powerful physic makes them more attractive. They are the apple of every girls eye and envy for all boys.

Dad once had an excursion named as "Exercise" whereby all were posted to a place where the ongoing War situation was held for one month; or in other words, it was a virtual war, to expertise thier men. I would listen to his stories of the adverse and unfavourable situations he and his fellow men had to face. I wonder at their courageous acts, when my father narrates

some incidents of Indo-Pak War 1971. He was quite young at that time and he describes that at those moments the level of energy increases sponteneously, whcih make them more accurate in thier action in battle feild. the motivative enzymes are they themself.

I realized that army people are so different from others. Whenever i feel homesick I take up leaves and rush to home but there are persons at the border who don't have such choice. At the highest altitude like Seichine they stand days and night to protect us where the winter is so vigorous that it can make your blood clot as described by my dad.I used to amazed at people who stay away from there family for a long period of time ; though they are always aware that they can die at any moment.

It reminds me of one of the most patriotic songs by Lata Mangeshkar:

" Jab Desh me thi diwali, wo khel rahe the holi,

Jab hum baithe the gharon me, wo jhel rahe the goli"

Though, I was unable to join army but I get so fascinated towards them that I sometime unknowingly question my father "Dad, Why You Retired ?" And he would just laugh at me and says you need not require a status to serve your country but standing right from here you can also contribute to your motherland. But "Be a Army Man , Be A Winner" had a special meaning for me.

This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave. ~Elmer Davis

I feel proud to be a daughter of a Man who served his country for 28 years and being a part of such a wonderful life.

Beauty - Down the memory lane.

"Ram Ram sahab Ji"," Jai Hind Sahab Ji"..these are the words that strike my ears and I float back to those days when my father was serving for Indian Army. Patriotism , heroism, displine courgare and honour best describe our Indian Army. Being a part of army life, I remember the days when me and sister with my dad would visit the parade ground to watch the Reunion Day of Army. The tree trunks all painted with brick colour and the side of roads all neatly decorated with brick colour powder on both the side.

First posting of dad with family was Rajsthan ,birth place of me and my sister. Not much in my memories about the place , rather than those read in books and told by my mother. A place where its too hot during day and too cold in the night.

I remember when dad was posted in 'Along' in Arunachal Pradesh. A beautiful place of green valleys and a place where there is always raining cats and dogs. Here you can see the huts not on the ground but supported on bamboos to a height of 10-15 feet high. Of course Army quaters were not suspended in air on bamboos.There was a small river flowing not too far from our house, and the dangerous part of it was that at the other side of river there was village of Tribal people. Whenever there was a local festival, one can never figure out the courses of mischievous acts the villagers did. One of the incidents, I remember was a day before some local festival, our campus suddenly got pelting of stones at our houses, we all got up and I clanged to my sister and my sister to my mother, my father was on night duty. Some villagers ,as they could eaisly cross the river attacked the army campus at midnight robbed whatever was laying out. Though some army personnels had a fight but they managed to run away. I remember face of my neighbour whose 5 hens were stolen. And the very next day the villagers enjoyed with the government properties. No doubts the security were tighten thereafter.

In spite of heavy rain fall there were occasions when there was shortage of water and that's the day me and my sister would eagerly wait for. And there we go,

to the nearby river splashing water. Well, I didn't know swimming but riding at the back of my sister is much thrilling than swimming itself. Main Ganga Hoon (I am the river Ganga) were our favourite sentences extracted from famous mythological serial Mahabharat at that time, when we are in water.

During the quarterly picnic trip, I remember that frightening swing bridge made of only bamboos and ropes over monsterously flowing river. Once you climb over it dont dare to look down , its not that you will fall but ofcourse your heart will fall viewing the fast rushing water standing on zig zag moving bridge. Once while crossing this bridge I was struck in the middle. Out of fear I couldn't move forward and started crying adding some more water to the flowing river. And at last I was rescued by some villager kids who were running as if on playground. Those boisterous times of childhood never realised me the tough life the defence personnels were facing.

To Be Cont.........

Tough Battle

Why we feel so protected and safe in our country, as we know we are sheild by our Indian Army , AirForce and navy. They defend our country and save us from external aggression. They lay thier life for their country. If at this point I compare their bravery and courage with us where do we stand??? I guess nowhere , or say we exactly vanish in front of them. i have a very big reason or say incident to prove this. its goes like this once upon a time.... Aaaaaaaaaaaaaa........ its there my roomie shouted. wher ???? i jumped to the bed. Its there dont go near to it. we both were clinch to each other when suddnly our third brave roomie came with a question mark.... why you people are shouting??? and there again she was accompained by us to the very corner of the bed. Just throw him out anyone- sowjee, who was screaming (please refere the first cartoon to imagine her face). At the very corner of our room there was a timid cockroach with both of his antennal flagella rotating in all direction, just trying to predict exactly what was going on. well he was quite aware that there are some girls around him.We three were pushing each other to have a battle with him and drag him out of our cosy room. but who will tie bell in the cat's neck? and Mr Cockroach was enjoying his heroism for frighting the animal kingdom's top most species HUMAN. At last we planned to attack in group and no doubt i was pushed first. With a broom i approached Mr C and, he was busy smiling and trying to frighten us more, with his back and forward march.At last both of my roomie provoked my patrotrism and with my broom i just spang upon Mr C

And there he goes beside our cloths , down the bed and opps behind our bags, oh Noooooo yeh to udata(flying) Mr C Hai. Mr C was smart enough to make three girls dance at his leg tip. Come on why are you so afraid to that tiny creature said nishu still peeping behind sowjii

Is it!!! then why dont u face Mr. C exclaimed sowjii pushing her . Aals! what a narrow escape or else Mr C was dead. Again we three on the bed. since 1 hour we three were struggling to strangle Mr C but 10 out 10 to his intelligency .

At last we made a plan and were settled quietly for sometime and when MrC thought there is no more danger from these three endangered species girls, he also settled down. and there we caught him with are broom. he was struggling and astonished too.

And there he goes flaying down the building. ohh he will crash and will die said sowjee taking pity for that monster and nishu shrugged her shoulder in undoubtedly. Come On its a Athropod of Class Insecta.... they dont have bones to get fractured i said. What arthopods what insecta? they screamed .......

And thus Our battle for life came to end . Although Woh Ek and Hum Tin... Mr C Realy made us sweat by his running and flying Skill.

So Where we Stand ...if tomorrow we are given the responsibility to protect our country shall we able to perform .??????????????? Of course We will :)

Inherntly Funny

Have you ever been irritated by something or someone.. i do. and if i were a Judge i would have suggested capital punishment to that irritating person... My Hostel warden.Well if you see her she is just an average looking lady with her peculiar nose and very peculiar voice. first I used to get astonished why she had worlds largest number of names but finally got the answer. Every week her behaviour invented her new name kept by students.

my first encounter with her peculiar voice happened when tanushree came to meet me and she didn't allowed her to my room. The way she was explaining the rules and regulation of the hostel which were indeed baseless when a gal has to visit a girl's room, made me imagine as if rakhi sawant getting dramatic over a issue less topic. ok you dont have to explain me so much, my frnd is a gal and she is not gonna plant a bomb here , let her come to my room i tried to explain her. but she didn't allowed her. at last i had to go out with her to park so that we both can talk.

The next encounter with her was when she instructed me to change the room and shift to a single room only because I was working and could pay more. She was getting on my nerves day by day. i told I cant stay alone and hence will not change the room. she happened to annoy me day by day which forced me to complain to the higher authority.

They were convinced with me. And again when she approached me

i very coolly told her about my achievement and threatened her not to communicate with me for life long. One fine evening i came to know about the suffering of another gal next to my room.Her blood was boiling with anger when she came to my room. ranjitaaaaaaa.... yaar this lady is gonna kill us with her voice and mental tourtoure. i just noded my head as i was convinced with her. i will come at 12 in night to ur room pe prepare and out she went tapping her foot leaving me in a puzzled state.

I was anxiously waiting for the nite and atlast she came with some stuff in her hand , a charcoal, a marker, few rice, and few grasses. wat this crap for i asked . nothing you just see what i will do to that lady. and she master minded a plan. im with you i said as i was one of the victim like her. At 1.30am we were in our "Mission Warden" with bare foot. We three went down stair near to our warden's room and kept rice , flowers, charcoal, and other stuff in front of her room. I was unable to resist my laugh imagining the next day scene. but then the worst idea came to my frd mischievous brain. she happened to announce her affair with our peon all over the walls of dinning room and stair with marker. i guess she was badly tortured by the warden :). We three were giggling in the mid of the night.

The very next morning we happen to listen to the screaming of our warden, a scream -mixture of fear and anger. she quickly took bath and rushed to the near by Shiv temple least somebody have done some black magic upon her.

All were clueless , confused,biwildred, and the funniest episode was that some even asked me about the matter for example: questions like- ranjita have you got any idea who must have done this????? i would think ,i dont doubt, but sure that i have done this with two others, well the announcement part was not my Job.The announcement of her affair was indeed was a serious matter. and the consequence of this prank was that, there was a meeting with all the boarders and the authority. Each and every boarder sample of writing was taken. As i was unable to write Oriya i was given an excuse but at last the culprit was found.

But she was quite happy that at last she took the revenge and very happily left hostel. but the prank of that night still makes me tickle.

Toady also when i happened to visit my old hostel i meet my warden and she is same old peculiar voice and nose but still unknown that i was one of the culprit behind her black magic.

In the book of life, the answers aren't in the back.

To Be Very fresh let me start with my title Psalm of Life..... Its that sacred song which life sings for us and sometime we sing for life.

TELL me not, in mournful numbers,

Life is but an empty dream ! —
For the soul is dead that slumbers,
And things are not what they seem.

Not enjoyment, and not sorrow,
Is our destined end or way ;
But to act, that each to-morrow
Find us farther than to-day.

In the world's broad field of battle,
In the bivouac of Life,
Be not like dumb, driven cattle !
Be a hero in the strife !

Trust no Future, howe'er pleasant !
Let the dead Past bury its dead !
Act,— act in the living Present !
Heart within, and God o'erhead !

Let us, then, be up and doing,
With a heart for any fate ;
Still achieving, still pursuing,
Learn to labor and to wait.

Dont get confused , we don't sing this song but it is beautifully explained by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow in his poem.