The dream had been accomplished. I joined the Academy as a boy, and here I was, departing as a man.
epilogue
p
After our Passing Out Parade, all those who were to be commissioned into the army went on to do another year's training at the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun. For the air force cadets, the training was at Air Force Academy at Begumpet, and the naval cadets went to INS Shivaji, Lonavla.
By the time we got our commission in the army, things at the NDA had gone through a sea change. The minimum age went up by a year, and so did the minimum qualification. The boys who joined were not as green as we had been at the time of admission. As for training, the spotlight shifted to academics instead of the corporeal aspect. With technological advancements, it was essential to play up the brain, not just the brawn.
We joined the Academy after passing Class 10, at the age of fifteen or sixteen. Today, the minimum qualification is Class 12, and the age has risen to seventeen and eighteen. When we were at the Academy, there were just twelve squadrons, and now there are fifteen. The tough ragging is a thing of the past. Yet, there is so much that has not altered, and can never change.
I got commissioned into the Regiment of Artillery, and so did Maachh. Randy went to the Brigade of Guards, and Natty into Infantry, while Bertie drew the Corps of Electrical and Mechanical Engineers.
Years later, I bumped into Maachh by accident, at a cantonment in Siliguri. Randy died young, in a tragic accident. Of Bertie, I have no news. Natty is somewhere in the country existing peacefully, I guess. I also met Manisha at the Military Hospital in the capital. Married to a neuro-surgeon in the army, she is now a cardiologist, mending hearts instead of wounding them. Much water has flowed under the bridge since our last encounter.
Today, when I see the young officers emerging from the Academy, I realize with a pang, that these guys are far smarter for their age than we ever were. Perhaps, it is in keeping with the present generation of human beings. The traditions, nevertheless, continue.
Although the names have been changed, the incidents, barring a couple of them, are true. I have no doubts that any of the course mates reading this book will recognize the characters immediately.
Boots Belts Berets Page 22
