MY INTERVIEW AT
SOUTH BLOCK.
In my first and the last earnest effort, in order to try my
luck, for posting on the staff of Indian missions and embassies, around the
world, I submitted my application in Oct 1975 to Army Headquarters, New Delhi.
On acceptance of the same, there were four major steps, which were to be cleared before the final selection
:-
Step No. 1. English Typing Test at National Stadium, New Delhi, Mar 1976.
In this typing test, approximately 500 aspiring candidates from army, Navy and Airforce, from all over the country, took part. A total of 25 candidates were to be chosen. As per instructions from the Army Headquarters, every candidate was to bring his own typewriter. All the typewriters thus brought to Delhi were displayed in different halls of National Stadium on properly arranged furniture. The other pre-condition was that, no one was allowed to use his own typewriter for the typing test. Since this condition was not known to the participants before, everyone seemed upset and surprised by the order, as everyone had practiced on his own typewrite for months. As I had also always worked on a Remington Typewriter during all my service till that date, here unfortunately, I got an ‘Halda’ typewriter which was not less than a blow to me at the first place. But there was no choice either.
In a short while, after occupation of respective seats, the key sheets were distributed and test time announced. So far, I had hardly typed few lines, when my ‘key sheet’ flew away due to overhead ceiling fan air pressure and settled down on the floor, under the table of next candidate quite away from me. I swiftly collected the key sheet and re- started typing, as a result, I lost quite a good amount of time and attention of other candidates was also disturbed, but I did not lose heart and kept on typing until ‘Stop Typing’ was ‘shouted’. Only one and a half line of the key sheet was left un- attended by me. However, I was quite sure that whatever I have typed, it was without any mistake! When the result came, I was one among those 25 candidates, who passed the typing test at national level!
On the clearance of the First Step of typing test, which was the most important one, enabling me to prepare and pursue my studies for the next step, a ray of hope once again awakened and I wholly-solely dedicated myself to the fulfilment of my life’s only aim to get foreign posting on the staff of our missions and embassies abroad, especially the USA. Why USA ?. I have a miserable tale to tell.
Ever since my marriage in July 1973, Rama, my wife, started complaining of mild pain in her lower abdomen before the birth of our daughter Vandana. In the beginning, not much attention was paid by me but when time, sequence and pattern of the pain increased, she was taken to Military Hospital, Pathankot as I was serving in Pathankot then. She remained under treatment as an outdoor patient, for over three months and had ‘heat therapy’ twice a week in that Hospital but there was no sign of relief. Her health started running down quickly to the extent that many a times, she was unable to stand on her legs continuously even for half an hour and several times she had a fall on being unconscious.
At the Military Hospital, once on my being frustrated, tense and little irritated too, I dared to inquire from the captain doctor, “as to why there was not a bit of relief to my wife, even after having regular medical treatment continuously for a period of three months, apart from ‘heat therapy’ twice a week? As the Doctor was seen visibly annoyed, he told me sarcastically and perhaps tauntingly that, “they have tried their best and done all that they could do. If you are not satisfied, you may have to take her to America!”
The doctor had, perhaps, hinted that they have failed to diagnose the
actual ailment and that I should show her to some other doctor. After that we
did not go to Military Hospital again and got the treatment privately from a
civil doctor where Rama had some timely and occasional relief but the actual
reason of the pain could still not be diagnosed! Army Doctor’s remarks pierced deep
into my heart and I began to think seriously, honestly and laboriously as to how
I could be able to reach America.
Step No. 2. Special Intelligence Course (SCIN-26) from 31 May to 26 Jun 1976 at Army Intelligence Training College, Pune.
A fulltime syllabus of six months duration was made mandatory to be covered and completed by our special course batch in four weeks’ time. All the trainees were allotted ‘studies’ of different countries in different fields. I was given the task of preparing a comprehensive paper on Pakistan’s Economy from the year 1947 till 1975. Though, it was very difficult task for a person of my stature, educational background and being below average awareness, GK and IQ, but there was no excuse whatsoever.
Actually, in the past, this subject was meant for trainee officer students only in the college which was now made compulsory for students below officer rank. So, we have had to accept the challenge to do this subject of country study. I, therefore, tried my best and made all out efforts, day and night continuously, to contact various concerned people, consulted old library reference books and notes, old journals and magazines in order to collect bits and pieces of old data. I also contacted personally some of the officer students of senior batch of the college, who were also given the same task on the Pakistan Economy.
Some of them guided me properly in detail, while others gave me some important clues, notes and few talked to me briefly, giving hints and elaborating on the salient features of Pakistan economy. I, then, first of all, made my own rough notes, many a times, before giving final touch and shape to the work, and then finally prepared the paper, in triplicate, one for my self and two for judges. The work was appreciated by one and all at the time of its presentation by me.
While presenting the paper, I read\ it aloud standing at the dais, in front of the gathering in the auditorium, in a deep echoing and dramatic rhythmic voice and style, before the assembly of college trainee students, in the presence of faculty, examiners and the judges. The auditorium was specially furnished, prepared and readied for the presentations, within stipulated time frame, by each student in his allotted subject matter.
On conclusion of my presentation, there was a thunderous and lengthy applause in appreciation. Lifting me up in arms by my colleagues outside the auditorium, was indeed an act of very nice gesture of praise for me, which encouraged and helped me bring out whatever my inherent literary competence was there, more vigorously, enthusiastically, boldly, and fearlessly during the coming events, of rest of the course period!
Step No. 3. JCO Cadre training at ASC Centre (South), Bangalore, Aug 1977.
This training is a mandatory condition for those, who are likely to be posted on the staff of our missions and embassies abroad, must have first done this training and cleared it successfully. Though, I was a young man of 32 years at the time of JCO cadre training, and was doing very well in all the field activities, yet, there was one last, but not the least, and most important, but bit difficult activity for me, that is, jumping over a nine feet long ditch, while in full battlefield uniform, holding a 7.62mm Rifle by both hands, that event was yet to come in the end of the training.
Early morning of 1st August 1977, I was sent to the parade ground to see the arrangements for the day. After I finished my assigned work, I stood there in a parade ground corner all alone. Then, in a flash back, I went down for a while, in the memory lane and the whole scene of this parade ground of about 12 years back flashed in my mind when I was the Champion of Platoon No. 31, PS Julka was the Champion of Platoon No. 32 and Hanuman Singh was the Champion of Platoon No. 33. Each of these platoons consisted of 60 recruits on parade.
During the final passing out and ceremonial parade, a drill competition was held among these three platoons before the huge assembly of recruits, NCOs, JCOs, officers and their families, where my Platoon No. 31 stood first, Julka 2nd and Hanuman 3rd. I was awarded the Drill First Medal and an overall Championship Trophy by Col F.J. Brito, the then Centre Commandant who had highlighted my name in his closing address, that Amrit Lal Sharma would definitely become a good army officer one day!
However, I didn’t, but Chest No. 2, PS Julka and Chest No. 3 Hanuman Singh, whom I defeated in the passing out parade in Mar 1965, are now retired senior army officers. On arrival at the parade ground, my instructor whistled and brought me back from the memory lane. In a short while, all the cadre students arrived and the arms drill practice by all the three platoons began. Days passed by, and our training was also nearing completion. On 23rd of Aug 1977, a Postman from the Main City Post Office, came calling me at the parade ground itself! The instructor asked him about the emergency that he had to come to the parade ground.
The Postman said, “There is a telegram for Amrit Lal Sharma”. The instructor again asked. “What is the matter?”. Postman replied, “Khushkhabri” The instructor asked me to step out and receive the telegram. I did so and read the telegram aloud “SON BORN 22 AUG MH PKT”! I gave ten rupees to the Postman and thanked him for bringing a very good news! At the same moment onwards, I started feeling a strange change in me and my behavior, a change that was full of josh, confidence and unexpected increase in the level of stamina, physical fitness and mental strength. Perhaps it was the instant result of my being relieved from the anxiety pertaining to Rama, my wife, who was then in the advance stage of pregnancy!
Now I was a man, free from all the mental stress, pressure and ready to face the challenge of any physical activity on the ground come what may, not to talk of jumping over any kind of a ditch! In the evening, my colleagues asked for a party-sharty. Immediately, a boy was sent by me to the Centre Wet Canteen with sixty rupees, that all I had with me, to bring Laddoos...lot of ladooos!
Step No. 4. My Interview at South Block, Apr 1978.
Outside the interview hall, in the sprawling corridors, I was attracted to a full size wall mirror on a side wall and sneaked quietly, out of the group of interviewees and approached the mirror. Stood before it Erect, head held high, and wanted to have a last inspecting sharp look at my ironed, made to order, olive- green terry cotton uniform and my turnout with proper shave and military hair cut! Also, to see whether the cherry blossom shine on the DMS Boot toes, brass polish on the buckling of the belt, as well as ASC title shoulders and the cap badge, are giving proper brass finish like golden hue!
Then, to my surprise, I felt a very
mild pat on the back of my right shoulder from behind. I turned my neck a
little sideways and noticed a mature, handsomely dressed man in his fifties,
with a smiling face. Before I could say anything, he said, “Preparing for the
interview?”. I turned back to him smartly and said, “Yes Sir”. I further said,
“May I know about you Sir”! The man said, “That is not important”. He further
asked me about my preparations for the interview. I said, “I have tried my
best”. The man further suggested that, “Relax, don’t worry much, you only need
to talk fluently, in detail, and try to convey and convince properly the
interviewer, what actually you want to say, plain questions, plain answers.
That’s all”. The man vanished thereafter from the scene and was never seen
again around.
Soon after, fast movements in the group of interviewees, were noticed in the corridor outside the interview hall. I also joined them within no time. An Army HQ official started taking arrival report of the candidates with the instructions to maintain calm, silence and proper discipline. He strictly advised that after interview, you are not allowed to stay back and talk to the candidates waiting for interview, and should leave the premises straight away and be out from the South Block.
Interview began at 11.30 AM, and the first candidate from the IAF was called in. My number was 3rd. At 1 O 'Clock, my name was called. Briskly I walked in. Saluted the board officials smartly and occupied the chair on indication by the Presiding Officer. There were eleven members of the Interview Board all together. Five of them in uniform. One each Major General, Brigadier, Colonel, Lt Colonel and Major. Other six members were in civil dress belonging to Intelligence, foreign office, legal and other related departments.
To my utter surprise, the Brigadier in the uniform was the same person who
talked to me in the corridors outside, one hour and a half ago! His looks at me
seemed friendly and caring, on my eye- to- eye contact with him! I instantly
recollected the whole conversation between the two of us, short while ago. His
last name was perhaps Rawat, Brigadier Rawat. At the same moment while sitting before the
interview board, my mind divided into two parts. One part worrying about the instant
outcome of the interview before hand and other part occupied by the unexpected,
unlikely and suspicious appearance of an interview board member Brig. Rawat,
hiding his original identity, at the venue of the interview. The Presiding
Officer, however, broke the silence and said, “Well Gentlemen, you may
proceed”. Brig Rawat came out with a question first.
Brig. Rawat : “ Your name is Amrit Lal Sharma. What ‘Amrit’
stands for?”
Answer: Amrit is a
legendry holy water. It is the nectar of immortality which emerged out from the
deep of ocean, during the churning process of the ocean by Devas and Asuras.
Devas appealed to Vishnu, who took the form of Mohini and distracted Asuras.
Then she took the Amrita and distributed it among the Devas, who drank it and
became immortal.
Colonel:” …..and your daughter’s name is Vandana. What
Vandana means to you?”
Answer: Vandana is a Sanskrit word meaning worship. Vandana
is a Hindu female name. Vandana is an important ritual while bowing down to the
Almighty and before the gods, deities and gurus, while performing Puja, Prayer
or chanting Saraswati Vandana at home or in the temples both times in the
morning or when going to bed.
Member No. 2 in civies: ”Since you belong to Himachal Pradesh, have
you ever eaten ‘Palda’, a favourite dish of Himachal Pradesh and if yes, can you explain how it is prepared?”
Answer : Yes Sir. Once when I happened to accompany a barat into deep Himachal Pradesh, I enjoyed Palda very much. So far its preparation is concerned, it is generally prepared in each Himachali house hold specially during functions like marriages or during community ‘Langars’. Well before the marriage or community langar, particular household and neighborhood people start accumulating Lassi (Chhas) or curd in a big pot or a drum. The time for accumulation may vary from place to place but it is generally not less than a week.
On the function day, when Dhaam is cooked, Palda is also prepared from
the accumulated butter milk (Chass) or curd, which is a mandatory dish, just in the way like
simple Curry or Madra is prepared. Mash potatoes and other vegetables are also
used in the preparation of Palda. Palda is mainly served along with
Daal-Chaaval. Telie Mah, Rongi ka Madra and
Meetha Madra are also the authentic dishes of Himachal Pradesh.
Major :” You have served in J and K for quite a good time.
Have you ever visited Amarnath Cave?” :
Answer: Yes Sir,
twice First time along with troops up to Baltal in order to offer High HAWS Flag
at the cave, when I served with High Altitude Warfare School, Gulmarg. Second
time in the year 1978, along with my family.
Major :”Good”.
Capt. : What is your hobby?
Answer: Sir, I have keen interest in Trekking.
Capt. :What kind of
trekking you mean?
Answer: Being Himachali village boy, I used to go to the
upper reaches of nearby hillocks of my village covered with Chir and Cedar
trees, almost every day, early in the
morning, to collect dry firewood for kitchen and green fodder for domestic
animals. Being daily practice to go to the hilly areas and doing longer up and downhill foot walks in that kind of a terrain,
carrying loads on the head, resulted in developing in me, trekking habits
covering longer, higher and steep routes like Amarnath, Vaishno Devi, snow covered training areas on the
heights of Khallan Marg, Drass and Zozila Pass, skiing practice on the slopes
of Gulmarg and mountain and rock climbing in general area Sonamarg, accompanying with the batches of training students,
officers and NCO instructors, while
visiting the training areas on foot!
Capt. : “OK”.
Member in civies: Mr. Sharma while serving in Indian mission
abroad, if you happen to meet a beautiful young lady who, during the course of
general talk, requests you to have a cup of coffee with her in a nearby coffee
shop, what will your response?
Answer: Sir, during Special Intelligence course at Army
Intelligence and Training College, Pune, it was taught to us in detail that
while serving in Indian missions and embassies abroad, meeting and involving in
unnecessary conversation with unknown foreign nationals should be discouraged at
all times. There is a possibility that you may fall prey to honey trap. Hence,
I shall politely decline her request showing inability due to busy schedule and
leave and also ensure the same for future encounters.
Member in civies: “Good”
P.O. : Can you tell little about Australia and in the world
map, where it is located?
Answer: Australia is an Island and a continent in itself. It
has developed into an affluent, multicultural English speaking industrialized
nation with very high standards of living. Canberra is the Capital City. Australia’s population is small in relation
to its overall size, which is almost twice the combined areas of India and
Pakistan. Australia is located between the Indian Ocean and the South Pacific
Ocean.
P.O. : “OK Thanks”.(Brig. Rawat was right. Plain questions,
Plain answers!)
Interview Over.
Temporary attachment with Army HQ, New Delhi In Nov-Dec 1979,
I was serving in a Mountain Brigade located in (West Bengal). In the last week of October 1979, a letter was received by my Brigade HQ saying that Amrit Lal Sharma has been selected for posting abroad. You are directed to relieve the NCO from his duties and direct him to report at Army HQ on 3.11.1979 for completion of documentation. I along with my family reached New Delhi and stayed with Raju Bhai. Since Rama was not constantly keeping well in those days, and was under continuous medical care. She was then weighing below 45 Kgs, being anemic patient for the last many months, the main fact that was hidden from the doctor due to obvious reasons.
But, an unexpected problem arose at the time of final medical examination at Army HQ. The doctor was not ready to give clearance as Rama was so weak and told me very clearly that he was unable to issue fitness certificate for my wife. He further told that clearance could not be given unless and until your wife regains some weight. So, I gathered all my dare and decided to convince the young doctor without losing any time, come what may! The other day, I met the doctor, who by now had become familiar to me, and tried my best to convince him that since we are proceeding to Australia, we will not face any problem in providing her daily sufficient rich and nutritious diet including fresh fruits, juices and healthy food, she would fast recover and also gain weight very soon. Apart from the diet, she would also get the best possible medical treatment.
If we are not allowed to proceed on the
scheduled date, I, along with my family, would be put into a great trouble as I
have no place to stay back in Delhi along with my family for an indefinite
period! The doctor, somehow, melted down a bit and agreed with me! On 31
December 1979, we flew from New Delhi and reached Canberra (Australia) on 1 Jan
1980. It was really a very happy new year 1980 for us indeed!
On reaching Canberra, 45 Millen Street, was going to be our residence for next three years! A fully furnished four bed room house standing at high ground, fitted with wall to wall cushion carpets, cooking range, Westinghouse double door refrigerator, vacuum cleaner, washing machine, fruit tree spray pump, heavy sofa set, glass top dining table and all types of fine crockery and cutlery, surrounded by large and pruned ever green lawns, fitted with automatic water sprinklers. Amri Apple, delicious Peach, Cherry and Pears fruit trees were there around the house. A very nice and enchanting night view of illuminated suburb down below attracted all who visited us during evenings! Within a fortnight, brand new metallic blue automatic transmission Datsun Sunny, YME-075 joined us.
Everything being so cheap, there was no shortage of anything like quality organic farm produced vegetables, fresh fruits, pure juices, milk cheese, butter and honey. Within a month, Rama started gaining weight and in next six months she crossed 55 Kgs. There was however, no abdomen pain at all for the next two years but in the year 1982, she once complained of mild pain. An emergent appointment of a renowned Gynecologist, was taken.
On
the date of appointment, Rama’s name flashed in the waiting hall. After having
examined her, Dr. Chiragakis told me that there was a round scar of the size of
an Indian rupee coin, in the lower abdomen which was the main cause of pain. He
prescribed medicine for three months and also fixed next appointment date. He
Also told that most probably, the scar would automatically subside and she will
be alright. But in case, if the scar still persists, a surgery would be needed
immediately. doctor recommended surgery which was to be carried out by himself
in the Woden Valley Hospital. The major surgery was carried out. Rama remained
in the hospital for a week. The doctor showed me the ‘thing’ in a bottle that had
been removed. Rama never had pain ever after that!
In Feb 1983 we were back home!
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