GOLDEN JUBILEE YO (SIGS)

A REPORT ON THE GOLDEN JUBILEE GET TOGETHER HELD AT MCTE-MHOW FROM 01 FEB TO 04 FEB 2017 BY THE VETERANS OF YO (SIGS) SER 49 COURSE IS PLACED AS BELOW

Authored by Brig Ujjal Dasgupta

When the idea of having a Golden Jubilee of our Young Officers’ Course Serial 49 (July 1966–January 1967) was first mooted on the course mail, it was met with a lot of enthusiasm. Davinder Bewtra, as an ex-Deputy Commandant of MCTE and the senior most in our course by rank, wrote a first DO letter to the Officiating Commandant requesting for holding this get together, with suggested dates. Manohar Ramtri took it upon himself to move the matter forward with the help of Madhav Datar, our SODE–24 course mate and ex-Commandant MCTE, located at Mhow. Madhav took up the matter with MCTE and received a tentative OK to schedule the event in beginning February 2017. In September 2016, these dates were confirmed to Madhav, who intimated, us and people got on with making their reservations and adjusting their other commitments to be free during this time.

Interestingly, as we got nearer to the dates, three diverse reactions became discernible. Some of us worked themselves up into a frenzy of enthusiasm at the upcoming event; some others started vacillating and became distinctly iffy regarding attending due to family and other commitments, or ill health; and MCTE’s ardour to welcome us veterans for this once-in-a-lifetime event showed a distinct cooling off, even going so far as to suggest that it could be called off for now. Their reason? They were expecting a new Commandant sometime during that time and would be too busy!

In the meantime, a core group of Manohar, Narinder and Ujjal had started having tri-weekly conference calls on Skype to get on with the planning. Determined to make a good show of it, they went into the minutest detail. A 2-day programme was drawn up on the lines of the programme followed in 2014 when some of us had gone to MCTE for the SODE-24A get together. Most events were agreed to, with two changes – MCTE would not host a meal for us, and no memento would be accepted by MCTE, as per decisions taken some time back to this effect for all such get togethers. We modified the programme accordingly.

Of the 35 Indian officers who had attended the YO’s course, just about 12 officers and 11 ladies could finally assemble at Mhow. Considering that nine dear course mates are no longer with us, while some were hampered by ill health – either their own or that of the spouse, and some others had family commitments, etc. this was not too bad a number.

We started with a bang on 01 February evening with the initial get together at the Airfield Mess. Very few of us had met Mrs Rashi Kak or Mrs Promila Kumar earlier, and this was a great icebreaker. Spirits ran high, despite the modest consumption of liquor (prompted in deference to our advancing years)! Harish and Chandra conducted a modified version of the game ‘pinning the tail on the donkey’; which coupled with wisecracks à la Kulwinder, had everyone in splits! An exquisite continental dinner – thanks to Harish’s menu and the expert cooks of MCTE, consumed with all of us seated together on one long table, left all sated and happy.

After a leisurely breakfast on 02 February, we had the formal interaction with MCTE in the Conference Room of the HQ building, attended by ladies as well. Due to a seminar being held on the same day at Army War College with GOC-in-C ARTRAC in attendance, neither the new Commandant (he had just reported a couple of days ago) nor the outgoing Deputy Commandant could be present. Fortunately, the Deputy Commandant designate had joined, and was in attendance. We were briefed in detail about the various activities, achievements and present status of all training and administrative aspects of MCTE by the Officiating BGS and the Brig Adm. Everything was such an eye opener! The planning and organization of training, the state-of-the-art labs, the innovative outreach responsibilities being taken on by the Corps for all arms and services all speak of the visionary thinking, positive approach and vigorous implementation by generations of Signallers entrusted with the affairs of MCTE and the Corps. On the administrative front, too, there is a sea change for the better in all respects, be it single officers’ accommodation, guest rooms (Blocks 71 and 72 have been done up beautifully as swank guest rooms, where we stayed), the new gym, Milan Resort, the new library, Mercury Theatre, etc. We felt really proud of our alma mater and our Corps, seeing and learning about all developments over the years. This feeling only got repeatedly reinforced as we visited the Faculty of Communication Engineering, the Faculty of Computer Technology and Sciences, and the motivation hall in the Cadets Training Wing the next day. I can only say that those of us who were not fortunate to have attended this get together really missed out on seeing our world-class alma mater that it is today.

Thereafter, Ujjal as the course senior came on the dias. We paid our sincere tributes to our brethren who are sadly no more with us, followed by a brief resume of the Course for the benefit of MCTE. Most of us were out of touch with what each of us had being doing in the years since proceeding on retirement, and hence a minute or two was devoted to each officer to update everyone. For example, very few knew that Raj Kumar Kak and his wife Rashi were running a childrens’ home for orphan girls at Allahabad, or that Gowri Shankar and his wife Madhu were selflessly looking after stray animals on a pretty large scale at Secunderabad. Narinder Dhand’s contribution to running the Signals Parivar and blogsite, and Vijay Raheja’s contribution to helping out hundreds by way of getting them their financial dues, were highlighted. So were the sterling achievements of our course mates in the corporate world by the likes of Manohar Ramtri, Harish Chawla, Vijay Raheja, Narinder Dhand, Kulwinder Singh, Ranjan Kakar, to name but a few. Special mention was made of our own true war hero Naveen, of Nathu La fame. A resume of his heroic actions, illustrated with actual photographs, was included. This was also narrated in our interaction with YO–148, and no doubt it would have been a tremendous motivator for the young minds.

Thereafter, we repaired to the HQ Mess, where MCTE hosted the course to tea. The lone tree was chosen as the backdrop for the group photograph immediately thereafter, and if you find a lot of closed or screwed up eyes in the photograph due to directly having to face the sun, console yourself with the thought that at least the lone tree, which is more of a VIP than us mere mortals, is looking splendid!

MCTE had provided us with a bus for all local trips, with the JCO or the NCO LO accompanying. As per the programme, we were then to be taken to various institutes such as the Mercury theatre, library, mandir/gurudwara, etc. We went first to the Mercury theatre, which has been transformed into a lovely auditorium for screening movies and plays, only to find a group of ladies practising a gidda performance for an upcoming event! Our ladies promptly sat down then and there and requested to see a dry run, which was graciously acceded to, never mind the planned itinerary!

Do you remember the “tented colony” as we called it back then? Semi-built houses up to a height of 4’ topped off with tent tops, since funds had run out? On stormy nights, each family member knew which rope of the tent to cling on to, to prevent it from flying away! Well, the next year, when funds were available, these houses were finished off with asbestos roofs, under the unromantic name of Circular Road Accommodation. Nostalgia overcame many as we went next to visit these memorable dwelling units, now awaiting demolition. By then, we were out of time. Cancelling the rest of the itinerary, we went to Colonel’s Hotel Uphaar for a pleasant lunch, a resort-cum-restaurant on the old Bombay road just a couple of kms beyond the Golf View Officers’ Quarters, being run by a Signaller’s son. The original plan to lunch at DSOI had to be changed due to non-availability of the Institute.

We had requested for an interaction with the present lot of YOs, and this was scheduled for 4:00 pm in the afternoon in the Iyappa Auditorium located in the HQ building. Some of our wives also elected to attend this interaction. By the way, the venue where FCC was in our time is now part of the All Arms Wing. FCC now occupies a brand new (brand new for us, anyway) double storied, hollow-squared new building behind the area of the old church. We were pleasantly surprised to see that Commander FCC had dug out our course group photograph of our YO days, blown it up to about 3’ x 2’ and thoughtfully displayed it at the entrance. He had also dug out our individual course gradings, but prudence prevailed; and only block results of our course were announced with the aim of explaining to the present lot that YO gradings don’t matter in later life (we had 23 “C” gradings)! YO–148, 80 strong (including 5 lady officers) had just commenced 4 days ago. These officers had spent a year in units prior to the course and thus had already had several experiences of unit life. Commander FCC gave us a run down of the present training pattern, which was very impressive. Value systems, leadership and man management, grooming activities and adventure activities also figure prominently in addition to the usual technical and professional capsules. A few of the YOs came up to the dais and told us of some achievement or the other they had made in the units—professional, adventure or sports related. Thereafter, Ujjal took the dais and invited the present YOs to take advantage of the huge reservoir of experience that we represented, and ask us whatever they wanted to. A very lively and fruitful interactive session followed, with many of us sharing our thoughts and giving some good advice to the youngsters. All in all, this was a very good event.

Madhav and Savita Datar had very graciously invited the whole course to high tea at their lovely house in the evening, and even gifted everyone with a book. Much bonding and bonhomie marked the occasion.

That evening, we had planned to host MCTE to drinks and dinner. However, in deference to the new Commandant’s non-availability on 2^nd due to an ARTRAC dinner, we swapped this with the scheduled break-up dinner on 3^rd February. From Madhav’s place we thus made a beeline to the Ladies Room of the HQ Mess. Bharati Dasgupta conducted a game, a modified version of dumb charades and prodded the officers and ladies to get more active. Much laughter and leg pulling followed. However, it had been a long day, and once the photogenic types had photographed themselves with the Jimmy in the lobby, everyone elected for dinner, again a delectable affair, and with that ended the day.

The first item on the agenda on 03 February was a visit to the Army Adventure Nodal Centre (erstwhile Aero Nodal Centre), an easy 25-minute drive from HQ Mess. A very motivated Maj Aby TM, the OIC, conducted us superbly and we were treated to a scintillating show, complete with parachutes being dropped bearing chocolates, which had our senior citizen ladies making a run for the goodies to give to their grandchildren! After a welcome cup of tea and much photography, we came back for a sumptuous South Indian/continental (take your pick) breakfast in the HQ Mess Ladies’ Room. Most of us partook of both! After a quick change, we (ladies included) went for a visit to the faculties. The robotics lab in Raman Block was particularly impressive, as was the drone flight. FCTS gave us a real live demonstration of hacking that made many ladies scared to use WhatsApp and Facebook in future. The motivation Hall in CTW was really wonderful and truly motivational. The CTW visit was especially meaningful since Davinder Bewtra had been responsible for getting this off the ground from scratch as the Deputy Commandant. Both FCTS and CTW have come up beyond the Airfield Mess, complete with excellent single accommodation for the cadets. Almost opposite Airfield Mess is the well-equipped new gym, complete with badminton courts. A nice walkway goes all around the airfield, which has been walled off from the Signals Vihar colony. Also in the airfield are a golf driving range, an open gym with sundry equipment and basketball courts.

A noticeable feature was the omnipresence of lady officers, both on the staff and as students, fully integrated into the daily life of MCTE (even the MS to the Commandant is a lady officer). It is good that the armed forces are now picking up the best talent where they find it, instead of excluding one half of the population on grounds of gender.

A picnic lunch at Berchha Lake, with boat rides thrown in, turned out to be a delightful event. We had to miss out on “Let’s lay the line to Berchha” since the star songwriter-cum-singer, Lalit Chopra, could not make it to Mhow! The menu was just right! Credit goes to the duo of Chandralekha Chawla and Neelam Ramtri who had painstakingly worked on and decided each meal’s menu in advance. Harish and Chandra also organized yet another great game with lavish prizes.

On the return journey, we diverted for a ‘windshield tour’ of the entire new campus of Army War College (erstwhile College of Combat) that has come up beyond the HQ MCTE building. For those of you who have not been to MCTE after their degree course, HQ MCTE had come up quite a few years ago next to the erstwhile tented colony, and the Army War College KLP is beyond that on the Khargone Road, complete with golf course, et al. As we learnt at this late stage in our lives, a ‘windshield tour’ is when you do your sightseeing through the windshield of the bus; in simple terms, you don’t get off the bus! Trust the Army to come up with such exotic nomenclatures!

Finally, on the last evening, we had the social at Milan Resort, which has come up in the depression between the single officers’ blocks and Dennis Road (now Shivaji Road). This is a great club with salubrious surroundings, lawns, swimming pool, bar and restaurant. An unforeseen last minute guest lecture at MCTE finally resulted in the party kicking off after 9:00 pm. Amidst the fun and merriment, some pleasant surprises of hidden talent came to the fore in the form of melodious songs by Mrs Rekha Pratap and Mrs Rashi Kak, and shairo-shairi by Subhash Chander and Raj Kumar Kak! Ujjal chipped in with his mouthorgan and guitar.

With that, we rang down the curtain on a happy and memorable get together. The next morning onwards, people dispersed as per their plans. A few couples stayed back an extra day to savour the sights of Mandu or Ujjain, and departed the next day.

A number of things added considerably to the comfort level. Foremost must be the meticulous planning and execution of all coordination aspects by Manohar, ensuring that everyone was properly received from the airport or railway station on time, and dropped off equally smoothly. His up-to-date database was indispensible. He, Ujjal and Harish reached Mhow a day earlier and tied up the last minute details. Narinder had to drop out due to his ‘undercarriage’ not playing ball (he goes in for knee replacement surgery soon). He made the excellent PowerPoint slides for both presentations, racing against time.

Taxis were available on call to anyone, anytime, for as long as needed, within Mhow – this was also coordinated very well. The rooms were excellently appointed, complete with computer/laptop, fridge, cable TV, micro, tea maker, ironing board – in short, real 5-star comfort. Food was uniformly great – HQ Mess staff is still the greatest! All through, we as a group ensured that we tipped the Class 4 staff connected with our visit after each event most liberally – these wonderful people deserve it in full measure.

Our coordinating officer, Maj Mandeep Malik attended to all administrative requirements with equanimity, despite being under pressure at the time, being the Mess Secretary with Army Cdr ARTRAC’s social to be conducted in HQ Mess during our stay. A big vote of thanks goes out to our LO, Nb Sub John PV who did a sterling job and was on the ball 24 x 7, ably assisted by his staff.

A number of pictures and videos covering the event are posted elsewhere on this blog site.

Such precious moments leave us hankering for more. The company of old friends are where one gets the maximum comfort level. Time will tell if we can replicate such events in the future. We all wish we can.

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01 FEB 2017

The course got together on 01 Feb 2017 and by the afternoon all were in having been received at the railwat station and the Indore Airport.

The course got together for Dinner at Number two officer;s Mess in the evening. Some of us met after good 50 years what a pleasure to see the transformation from the subaltern days to the present days.

The Golden Jubilee Meet of our course took off with this get together for the next four days.