A COLLAPSED DREAM
In the year 1956-57, I was studying in the 6th class in the then High School, Nurpur, Kangra. Harbans Singh Katoch, a boy from Village Nagni, Bhadwar took admission in 6th class. Both of us came closer and soon became friends. We always used to sit together in the class and also go together where ever we went. For the first few months Harbans used to up and down from Nagni which did not suit him and later he started to live in the school hostel within the school premises. Harbans was then little shorter and fattier than me. He was also seen a little clever and intelligent as compared to me.
During next two years, we grew and grew longer, tougher and understandable as well. It was the time when we had started thinking about our future plans. Though, it was too early for the school boys like us worrying about the future life, it still became a matter of highest priority and importance for both of us. One day when I was with him at the hostel, I told Harbans that after leaving the school, I want to join the armed forces as an officer.
During next two years, we grew and grew longer, tougher and understandable as well. It was the time when we had started thinking about our future plans. Though, it was too early for the school boys like us worrying about the future life, it still became a matter of highest priority and importance for both of us. One day when I was with him at the hostel, I told Harbans that after leaving the school, I want to join the armed forces as an officer.
\ On hearing this, Harbans also jumped into final conclusion and agreed with me and told me that perhaps he was also thinking on the same lines. From then on, we both determined to make all out efforts, after schooling, to join the armed forces as commissioned officers and solemnly pledged ourselves for the same.
In the year 1961, after completion of matriculation, we went our own ways and never met again until 20th July, 1974 at 9.30 AM, at a Military Headquarters in Pathankot! Before matriculation result, I was sent to my Chacha Udham Chandji at Jammu, so that instead of loitering aimlessly in the village, I might be put into a temporary job where at least I could be able to earn some money in order to meet my own expenses. After having worked in a factory in Jammu for a period of three months, I was again in Village Ladori for a while, for preparation to leave for Bombay to my maternal uncle who was then serving in Mahindra and Mahindra Ltd. as a Purchase Officer. My uncle had promised my Dadi that he would take me to Bombay and help provide a temporary apprentice job in any factory there.
One day, it so happened that in Hattian, I met one of the old classmates Rameshwar Singh who is the relative of Harbans. I inquired from Rameshwar about the whereabouts of Harbans, who in turn, told me that he had joined the Army as a Sepoy, a few months back and currently he is under recruit training. I asked Rameshwer with dismay as to why he joined the Army as a Recruit. Rameshwar told me that he had been advised by a very senior serving army officer that he should not wait for any longer and waste time but straightaway join the Army as recruit.
In the year 1961, after completion of matriculation, we went our own ways and never met again until 20th July, 1974 at 9.30 AM, at a Military Headquarters in Pathankot! Before matriculation result, I was sent to my Chacha Udham Chandji at Jammu, so that instead of loitering aimlessly in the village, I might be put into a temporary job where at least I could be able to earn some money in order to meet my own expenses. After having worked in a factory in Jammu for a period of three months, I was again in Village Ladori for a while, for preparation to leave for Bombay to my maternal uncle who was then serving in Mahindra and Mahindra Ltd. as a Purchase Officer. My uncle had promised my Dadi that he would take me to Bombay and help provide a temporary apprentice job in any factory there.
One day, it so happened that in Hattian, I met one of the old classmates Rameshwar Singh who is the relative of Harbans. I inquired from Rameshwar about the whereabouts of Harbans, who in turn, told me that he had joined the Army as a Sepoy, a few months back and currently he is under recruit training. I asked Rameshwer with dismay as to why he joined the Army as a Recruit. Rameshwar told me that he had been advised by a very senior serving army officer that he should not wait for any longer and waste time but straightaway join the Army as recruit.
There are more and bright chances for a serving soldier to apply for permanent commission. I listened carefully and noted the point. Being an under privileged and due to lack of proper guidance and financial support, the dream of joining Army as an officer was slowly fading away and I was now more worried aboutmy settlement in any job.. As the question of my further studies in a college was already out, all my hopes and dreams now depended upon my job in Bombay. However, the pledge that I and Harbans had taken together was still alive at the back of my mind.
Subhash Chachaji received me at Bombay Central Railway Station and took straight to his house in Bandra where I stayed with the family for two days only. Then I was taken to New Heaven Engineering Works at Andheri(East) and introduced to a very senior and impressive looking elderly, well dressed in whites, over six feet in height and soft spoken sikh engineer who straightaway provided me a helper's job on a monthly salary of Rs 50/-. Next day, I was introduced to another boy. I was to live in a Kholi that had been taken on rent at Jogeshwari.
Subhash Chachaji received me at Bombay Central Railway Station and took straight to his house in Bandra where I stayed with the family for two days only. Then I was taken to New Heaven Engineering Works at Andheri(East) and introduced to a very senior and impressive looking elderly, well dressed in whites, over six feet in height and soft spoken sikh engineer who straightaway provided me a helper's job on a monthly salary of Rs 50/-. Next day, I was introduced to another boy. I was to live in a Kholi that had been taken on rent at Jogeshwari.
I reached Jogeshwari. It was a very small room of 8'x8' where five boys were already living! Almost half the room was occupied by the baggage and utility items. It was very difficult or impossible for six persons to sleep on the remaining floor, all huddled together, but there was no alternative except 2 or 3 persons could manage sleeping on the small varanda in summers. Each and every individual had to prepare roti on one available oil stove, turn by turn, and then run fast to various work places.
Meagre monthly salary of Rs. 50/- was not at all enough to live in Bombay even in those days. It had become very difficult to make both ends meet and meet other daily expenses including medicines, room rent, rations, milk and vegetables. Due to very poor living conditions with increasing tension of factory workload and lack of even minimum inescapable daily diet to survive, I fell ill and was admitted in JJ Hospital. After having stayed in the hospital for nearly one and a half month, doctors recommended that I should not continue to stay in Bombay and that I must go home in order to gain health.
I was back home in Ladori. It was Jun-Jul 1963. Nothing had changed in Ladori and I again started feeling helpless and lonely in the village. Frustration also began to overpower me resulting in a unknown fear of my taking to a wrong route. Resulting, I was, this time, sent to Patiala to my Chhote Chachaji, Ishwer Chander Sharma, who was then serving in the Army as a Religious Teacher. I was sent to Patiala so that I may be able to improve my health.
Meagre monthly salary of Rs. 50/- was not at all enough to live in Bombay even in those days. It had become very difficult to make both ends meet and meet other daily expenses including medicines, room rent, rations, milk and vegetables. Due to very poor living conditions with increasing tension of factory workload and lack of even minimum inescapable daily diet to survive, I fell ill and was admitted in JJ Hospital. After having stayed in the hospital for nearly one and a half month, doctors recommended that I should not continue to stay in Bombay and that I must go home in order to gain health.
I was back home in Ladori. It was Jun-Jul 1963. Nothing had changed in Ladori and I again started feeling helpless and lonely in the village. Frustration also began to overpower me resulting in a unknown fear of my taking to a wrong route. Resulting, I was, this time, sent to Patiala to my Chhote Chachaji, Ishwer Chander Sharma, who was then serving in the Army as a Religious Teacher. I was sent to Patiala so that I may be able to improve my health.
After having lived in Patiala for five months, my health had very much improved and I had started thinking of doing some job. One day morning, I was standing on the roof of our quarter when I saw huge number of young village boys heading towards Cantonment Area. I immediately came down on the road and inquired from one of the boys. He told me that there was a Army Recruitment Mela in the Recruitment Office and that they are going there for recruitment in the Army.
I came back down to the quarter. Sat on a chair for a while and thought about my friend Harbans and his joining Army as a Sepoy. Within no time, I was at the Recruitment Office without the knowledge of my Chachaji. To my surprise I was only a matriculate candidate among all the aspiring candidates. I was recruited in the Army without any difficulty, as a clerk on 11 November 1963 and reached Bangalore for training.
After recruit training, I was posted to a Military Headquarter in Pune in May 1965. In Jun 1966, I was further posted to HQ Bombay Sub Area, Colaba, Bombay on my own request. In early 1967, I applied for Commission in the Army but very sorry to say, that Brig Harpal Singh, the then Sub Area Commander, rejected my candidature right away, by saying that he did not like clerks to become commissioned officers in the army and that I should first change my trade from clerk to a general duty sepoy, then he would be the first person to help me grant commission in the Army! What a misuse of an authority, the first recommending authority, which was not at all a final one! I missed the chance.
In 1973 to 1975, I was posted in a Military Headquarters at Pathankot. One day morning, at about 9.30 AM, I was busy with some official work. My cap was hanging on the wall behind me. I heard someone asking me about the office of a senior officer serving in our Headquarters. I looked up. I was stunned, numb, cold and yet perspiring. Capt Harbans Singh Katoch was standing tall before me! For a few seconds, I could not utter a words.
I came back down to the quarter. Sat on a chair for a while and thought about my friend Harbans and his joining Army as a Sepoy. Within no time, I was at the Recruitment Office without the knowledge of my Chachaji. To my surprise I was only a matriculate candidate among all the aspiring candidates. I was recruited in the Army without any difficulty, as a clerk on 11 November 1963 and reached Bangalore for training.
After recruit training, I was posted to a Military Headquarter in Pune in May 1965. In Jun 1966, I was further posted to HQ Bombay Sub Area, Colaba, Bombay on my own request. In early 1967, I applied for Commission in the Army but very sorry to say, that Brig Harpal Singh, the then Sub Area Commander, rejected my candidature right away, by saying that he did not like clerks to become commissioned officers in the army and that I should first change my trade from clerk to a general duty sepoy, then he would be the first person to help me grant commission in the Army! What a misuse of an authority, the first recommending authority, which was not at all a final one! I missed the chance.
In 1973 to 1975, I was posted in a Military Headquarters at Pathankot. One day morning, at about 9.30 AM, I was busy with some official work. My cap was hanging on the wall behind me. I heard someone asking me about the office of a senior officer serving in our Headquarters. I looked up. I was stunned, numb, cold and yet perspiring. Capt Harbans Singh Katoch was standing tall before me! For a few seconds, I could not utter a words.
My throat got dried and stuck. Capt Harbans Singh Katoch first touched my shoulder and then shook hand with me. I felt a strong grip, the grip that gave me a long awaited friendly touch, that I remember till today. Soon Harbans left my office with a swift turn, with a promise to meet again very soon. However, We never met again till today!
I could not sleep properly for a few nights after having seen my friend. From next day onward, I started preparations, day and night, for applying for SL Commission. Now that I had completed my 10 years active in the Army, I was eligible for applying for SL Commission in the Army. Appropriate time for submission of applications for SL Commission came and I applied for two different posts, one for Record Officer and another application for the post of Quartermaster. After recommendations by the Sub Area Commander, the applications were sent forward to a high headquarter at Nagrota near Udhampur.
A few weeks later, all the recommended candidates were present at Nagrota for final recommendations prior to Service selection board. In the morning at 9 O' Clock, interview began. My turn came at 11 AM. First I was called for the post of Record Officer. Lt Gen Khushwant Singh was the interviewing officer. When I settled down in front of him on the chair, I was asked a question whether I had ever served in Record Office. Being staff duty clerk, they are not posted in Record Office but they are doing the same official work in the Formation Headquarters, was the reply given by me.
I could not sleep properly for a few nights after having seen my friend. From next day onward, I started preparations, day and night, for applying for SL Commission. Now that I had completed my 10 years active in the Army, I was eligible for applying for SL Commission in the Army. Appropriate time for submission of applications for SL Commission came and I applied for two different posts, one for Record Officer and another application for the post of Quartermaster. After recommendations by the Sub Area Commander, the applications were sent forward to a high headquarter at Nagrota near Udhampur.
A few weeks later, all the recommended candidates were present at Nagrota for final recommendations prior to Service selection board. In the morning at 9 O' Clock, interview began. My turn came at 11 AM. First I was called for the post of Record Officer. Lt Gen Khushwant Singh was the interviewing officer. When I settled down in front of him on the chair, I was asked a question whether I had ever served in Record Office. Being staff duty clerk, they are not posted in Record Office but they are doing the same official work in the Formation Headquarters, was the reply given by me.
The General said that 'when you have not served in the Record Officer, how you can become a Record Officer'. Hence, not recommended. In the afternoon, I was again called for another interview for the post of Quartermaster. The General repeated same version and not recommended me for Quartermaster either.! Laut ke Budhu Ghar ko Aye.
Though there was one more chance for me to apply for SL Commission, I felt disheartened and made up my mind for applying for posting abroad. The only condition was that one who applies for commission in the army, cannot simultaneously apply for posting abroad. I finally chose to apply for posting abroad. I am not going into the details as to how I was finally selected for posting abroad which I have already mentioned somewhere in my earlier write-ups, I was posted to High Commission of India, Canberra (Australia). Stayed there with family for three years and posted back to a Military Headquarters at Jalandhar in 1983.
It was my last and the only chance for applying for SL Commission. I worked hard day and night, went to SSB Allahabad after having recommended by the intermediary authorities and performed outstandingly well as opined by the instructors and my batch colleagues there, and most importantly, by my own consciousness, later, at home, it was all shocking surprise. I could not make it this time either! A sweet dream collapsed and I also lost my school friend in the oblivion!
Though there was one more chance for me to apply for SL Commission, I felt disheartened and made up my mind for applying for posting abroad. The only condition was that one who applies for commission in the army, cannot simultaneously apply for posting abroad. I finally chose to apply for posting abroad. I am not going into the details as to how I was finally selected for posting abroad which I have already mentioned somewhere in my earlier write-ups, I was posted to High Commission of India, Canberra (Australia). Stayed there with family for three years and posted back to a Military Headquarters at Jalandhar in 1983.
It was my last and the only chance for applying for SL Commission. I worked hard day and night, went to SSB Allahabad after having recommended by the intermediary authorities and performed outstandingly well as opined by the instructors and my batch colleagues there, and most importantly, by my own consciousness, later, at home, it was all shocking surprise. I could not make it this time either! A sweet dream collapsed and I also lost my school friend in the oblivion!
No comments:
Post a Comment