warvet

    SARDAR BAHADUR           In early 20 th century when the British decided to ope n the doors of officer rank for natives, they were quite apprehensive. They decided to employ only people from noble background and that too as Viceroy Commissioned Officers (VCO) i.e Subedars. Now, these were the Junior Commissioned Officers of British Indian Army and were in between the “Other Ranks” (sepoys) and Officers (Those days, King Commissioned Officers or KCO). The rank of JCO was and still is unique to the Armies in the subcontinent and was meant to bridge the gap between the Privates (Indian) and Officers (British) as there was a world of difference between them in terms of culture, language and civilization. Both didn’t understand each other. It was paradoxical that the sepoy who was willing to happily lay down his life for his officer could not bear the shadow of the officer to fall on his food or it would become contaminated an...

    OF BABAS AND HORSE SHOES     ‘I hope No 1 Guest Room is ready to receive the General’ Inquired Maj Nagender, Officer Commanding, Animal Transport Company ‘I told you its only his love for me from our days in XXX Battalion when I was his Adjutant otherwise he can stay in any VIP Guest room in the station’. ‘I Know sir. Everything’s looked after’ I assured him in our small Officers Mess which came into being as a result of my posting to the unit. Nagender had converted an existing building to Officers Mess, before my arrival. We were three officers posted including Capt Thomas, 2IC and with me, the bachelor on first posting, the Officers Mess got an in-living officer who could look after the Mess. In the bargain, our officers quit membership of Officers Mess of Col Shekhars Officers Mess and with it the daily kich kich. General Tanwar was our head in the Command HQ and probable to become Head of our Department in the Army HQ. Besides his vast knowledge, a...

HOOF IN MOUTH - II "Doc! Are you aware of the hot news on Indian Express back home today?" Asked Colonel Rathore, the CO, suddenly at lunch table. We were having our lunch in Officer Mess of United Nations peacekeepers in Malakal, capital of Upper Nile State, South Sudan that hot afternoon. "Yes sir" I replied. I was under dread since morning when the ominous title of the article had flashed on the screen in the morning " Do donkeys commit suicide? In Sudan they do and Indian Army has a problem". It was like being kicked by a mule in the belly. I had immediately rung up Major Shambhu, the Public Relations Officer " Did you share the story I sent you with any Indian scribe"? I had inquired. "Yes, why"? Shambhu had confirmed. " Oh My God! Didn't you understand it was humour, not News"? I had hung up, aghast. Seasoned journalist, Manu Pubby had published the story as such and a diplomatic row was staring me in face. For all I...

  HOOF (FOOT) IN MOUTH - I "Kasab is demanding mutton biryani from the jail authorities" quipped Ujjal Nikam the public prosecuter for the dreaded terrorist from Pakistan who had attacked the Nation. This comment galvanized the public opinion against the soft criminal justice system and culminated in dispatch of Kasab to the promised 72 hoors in no time. "Aman ki wapasi ke liye aap hamari help karo, Modi ko hatane mei" laughed Mani Shankar Aiyar during a  TV interview in Pakistan. The infamous dialogue was a self goal for congress and has been milked by BJP in multiple elections. Your observations may be innocent but may lead to different interpretations by people. I have myself put my foot in mouth a number of times. Being a vet, I have managed to even put a hoof in mouth more than once! "You know this year Kurseong Tea Estate sold their lot at Rs 50000/- per kg . It was picked by Buckingham palace for the Queen!" announced, Major Nagender,  Sena Medal, O...