Journey in a special train to North

The travel through road was really exciting, by keeping the vehicle column intact and move steadily by maintaining  the distance between each vehicle at minimum.If any vehicle break down, recovery / repair detachment will attend the off road vehicle and catch up with the other vehicles.On the way there was scheduled halts for food and with special permission of convoy commander ,some breaks for rest was allowed. Traveling on road catching up the beauty of desert was really a different experience.We camped at night with some local units on the way.After three days travel ,when we reached the rail head,almost every one was exhausted and we were looking for a good rest.All vehicles parked near platform for loading into the train next day.

 Break time in training during academy days

Next day ,the special train for us had not been placed in platform,so that we could not  load our things.[The rolling stock(the special train) contains,first class boggy,second class for all we soldiers,closed wagon to carry our luggage and of unit items,open flat stock for loading vehicles,and like that different types of carriages(i am not remembering its technical names/railway jargon for each type of carriage) connected together].When we checked with the railway authorities,they told its not readily available because of some reason,and we have to wait for one more week to get the rolling stock.We felt that waiting one more week in the railway station is  of no use.So we approached the ministry and gave an emergency request for allotment and we got the rolling stock placed for us in two days.We shifted all our items including some vehicles in the train.And one fine morning the train started moving towards our destination.

This train took three times more time than the normal train.So we took 5 days,where the normal train will take 1.5 days to cover the same distance.The train had halted in a day minimum three times for food,in some times separate halt for filling water/charging in the train in different places.The halt is generally for 2-5 hours.If traffic is not clear it may halt more.So we will get down from the train and will go for shopping and sight seeing in the near by town.Thus we know the pace of life and people at different place on the way through out our journey.One occasion we had to go to station master to complain about very very low speed of our train  and the station master explained us full railway traffic signal system ,how its works and why they are not giving signal to us,when we urged them to give our train green signal first.

 In another special train to east

Its really fantastic experience to travel such long distance in train with troops.The unit was functioning in the train as it was camped in any other place.So the regular roll call and continuous instructions reached to each and every one as always.We had put security guards on duty and all others were involved with various duties.The sanctity of an army unit was maintained through out the journey.Every one had some story to tell ,on their previous experience in the field,in boarder ,with militants,in tough hilly terrain,in jungles,on snow clad mountains.Newbies like me imagined all those things on the way and geared up more courage to face any kind of such hostile situation.

Prepare for move

In this station, I attended the church function and involved in all the proceedings sitting in the front bench. I felt the god’s presence as days light. In Masjid, Mandir, Gurudwara, Church or what ever way we call it we go and focus our thoughts to the altar and pray as focusing the sunlight with a lens and feel its power.

     

One day we assembled in brigade head quarter to send off the commander. He is retiring from his service. All the soldiers from that station had assembled there to pull the Jonga decorated with flowers from head quarter building to the gate. There was a strong emotional attachment and bond as one from the family is going back proudly fulfilling his duty after devoting his whole life to the Nation.

      a break during outdoor exercise in academy

It’s always important for an organization to have a proper communication procedure. Army has an excellent way to do that. It’s not in the procedure, but the commitment in following it. So no flip flops and no goof ups. Structured, time bounded, directional, KISS (Keep It Simple and Short) orders reach faster undiluted to all levels and with a feedback at every stage.

By this time the full unit was getting prepared to move. I had to go and see the packing of various sections. Prepared load chart in the vehicle as per items to be loaded in each vehicle. Finally we had to move. I became the In charge of the transport column ,became a convoy commander taking around 40 loaded vehicles under my supervision, travelled around 250 kms to reach the rail head, where from our special train to Jammu had been booked.

Getting closer to my first Army unit

Getting more closer in my first Army unit

After two-three weeks with men in lines, Commanding Officer asked me to shift to bachelor’s accommodation near the Officer’s mess. With this change in atmosphere and life style, I started to realize my rise and thus I felt more dignified. I shifted my entire luggage to the room. Same night from the office a Havildar clerk came running to my room. One of our Jawan’s family members is sick and wanted to go home town immediately. No other officer was immediately available to countersign the travel warrant form. I know it is some what risky to sign without the knowledge of senior officer, but looking at the emergency, I have to sign by reading the document and fully believing the clerk. It was my first signature to approve any official document in the capacity of an officer in Indian Army. 

 a break during weapon cleaning in academy

You can do anything provided it won’t create any problem. You can also do anything provided you won’t get caught! But it’s unofficial and is applicable usually for things like; when you are not reaching in parade on time, one button is missing from uniform, shoe is not properly polished, etc… I meant it for the people in uniform from not getting ticked off by their seniors. This happens always when someone not meeting the minimum requirement; “be in right place at right time with right things”. 

I started taking my food from officer’s mess, even though I hadn’t dined in officially. Dining in itself is a party and an official function. Every unit will have their own way and traditional procedure to do the same. In couple of days my dining in also decided. All officers and families were present. There I sipped my first hard drink in my life. As per the tradition of the unit I had to take three full glass neat cocktail drinks. After gulping each drink, I have to crawl three times under the legs of a Rhino “the symbol of the unit” statue kept in the veranda of the mess shouting “Tagara Raho” means “be powerful and healthy”. After that I could n’t with stand much time and started vomiting and I was taken back to my room. Actually dine-in party is a party for those who comes to dine-in officer and not for the Officer! 

I started attending the duties going from officer’s mess. I had to call on all married officers at their house. But, many officers were not available and I could visit to one family only. They had arranged a good dinner for me and gave me a feeling of my own home.

Next ::::: 

Prepare for move

INDIAN ARMY, a beautiful organization

I found in Indian Army, a beautiful “managerial and administrative” organization. When I joined my first unit, initial days I had not much responsible jobs to do. As I told you, as per tradition of the unit I was asked to stay with Jawans for few weeks. I got one cot allotted with them. A senior JCO briefed me the daily routines of the unit. The unit was in the verge of moving to the valley. There was no much officers present in the unit. Few of them had gone with advance party. I started working with Jawans as one of them. Staying with them I could understand each individual, their living standards, habits and their life styles in a very closed quarter. At this period every one was under my observation and Jawans also started evaluate their officer. As I had lot of time to indulge in the activities what I like. I went personally to all Jawans and enquired about their personal liking being in the Army and their problems in a democratic way. I found the men I am going to command is so complicated. They had brought up in different environments and have different values of life. To meet their diverse requirements as an officer is a cumbersome work. Here is the importance of Training . The goals of giving training to Jawans as well as Officers are to bring a standard in them, which make them fit to work in hand with hand in the same platform. They are standard managers. From all the sides they are able administrators. The mental frame work that formed during the training gives them control over the senses, actions and words. This mental control cause physical control during actions for perfection. Everyone learns all rules and theories, but fails in implementation. Even though, the reason for failure is known, but not the power to act. Here an Army officer succeeds. A man trained with this kind of mental foundation surely became 100 % manager. He became capable enough to work up to the satisfaction of his superiors and expectation of his subordinates. 

First Sainik Sammelan I attended was one by the Brigade Commander. The arrangement was so nice to see. From that I could understand how well the system is stream lined in Army. Officers are more vigilant and observed the activities of his subordinates and supported them to achieve the result. Men are more punctual and obedient to orders. Humanbeings are basically lazy by nature. But by training and constant reminders only his active nature can maintained. Some people remind themselves to be active; others want someone to remind them to be active. Every one here must manage people, but also materials (other resources) and time. the challenge is in facing the “do or die” situations in stock while accomplishing tasks with limited manpower with limited other resources in limited time.

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