WHEN I TOOK INSTRUCTIONS FROM THE PRIME MINISTER

  At the time of recruitment in the Army in 1963, Bhau Chachu was a Religious Teacher in the Army.  He was then based in Patiala where I was recruited in the Army.  Chachu later retired from Army as Sub Maj & Hony Capt.

        In view of my NCC background, I did not experience much difficulty in basic military training and soon I was appointed as a Platoon Champion.  On completion of basic training, I was awarded a Silver Medal for 'Drill First' and a 'Trophy' for all round championship and for being best cadet, by Col F.J. Brito, the then Centre Commandant, ASC Centre (South), Bangalore who in his closing address also highlighted my name and hoped that I would become a good army officer in the times to come. 

       The cadets, to whom I had defeated in the competition are, however, now retired senior army officers.  Despite my best efforts for commission in the Army, I was not lucky enough to make it. After my marriage in 1973 itself, I decided to try for a posting abroad.  As per existing rules, one can apply for SL Commission in the Army or posting abroad.

         Since the process for selection for posting abroad is a lengthy one, it took nearly five years to clear all the stages of practical, training courses, written tests, typing test and interviews at the highest levels at Pune and New Delhi.  Being one of the toppers in the final interview at Army Headquarters, I was recommended for posting to High Commission of India, Canberra (Australia) for a period of three years.

        Being a soldier, I had a rare opportunity to talk to Grand Old Man of Indian Army and first Commander-in-Chief of free India, High Commissioner to Australia and New Zealand, late Field Marshall K.M. Cariappa, OBE, and worked for him closely for three days and learned many good things of the life from a person of very high principles and caliber.

       While in High Commission of India, Canberra, Prime Minister of India and three retired service chiefs also visited Australia, and we the three people being the army staff of Military Advisor to the High Commissioner, had the opportunity to serve these service officers closely during their stay there.  I had also the rare opportunity to attend the official receptions of these visiting chiefs on official invitation with my wife Rama.

        In 1982, Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting was held in Melbourne.  Office of the Indian Contingent headed by the late Prime Minister Mrs. Indira Gandhi was set up at the 45th floor of Hotel Wentworth.  During this meeting, I had the privilege of taking personal instructions from the Prime Minister when she asked me whether I would be able to get the jotter refill of her ball point pen changed, which, of course I did.

        Rama also had the opportunity to garland, talking and sitting besides the Prime Minister of India and Australia on the occasion of opening ceremony of new Chancery Building of High Commission of India at Yarralumla in Canberra after the CHOGM meeting.

        Though I have had small but significant events happening in my life right from my childhood, I failed to come out as per the expectations of my Principal and Centre Commandant.  Though I have no regrets for what I am today, their complementary remarks still haunt me.  I wonder if there are still more positive events in store for me, I am happy or sad, I cannot say but leave it to you readers, to ponder over!

                                                       RAJU BHAI - MY IDEAL

        Bhai got the job in Indian Airlines, office being based in Himalaya House, Connaught Place, New Delhi.  I always cherished that Bhai became an officer in that company! Time flew fast and I also joined the army.  I used to write ikka-dukka letters to bhai who responded promptly.  Sometime later, however, the practice nearly stopped.  But I had already chosen bhai  as my ideal.  By now, I had become fond of bhai's flowery English handwriting.  I always wanted to write like him and I succeeded to some extent if not fully.

       In 1968-69, I was posted in Udhampur where I came across of an Army Order through which I came to know that if one has a great zeal and burning desire to prepare fully in all respects in order to get posting abroad in Indian embassies and high commissions on deputation, then there is no reason one could not succeed. I found myself eligible except one condition.  One should be married at the time of application!

       This was the time when I started thinking about my marriage!  But at the same time I knew very well that at home, who is worried about my marriage.  Everyone at home needed money from me.  Why they should be thinking of my marriage.  But at the same time I did not want to waste time and further delay the marriage.  Then, an idea struck to me.  I wanted to talk to Raju Bhai in this connection.

       I happened to meet Bhai at Nagni Mata Mela at Bhadwar, Nagni. I discussed the need of my marriage and also told him that if my marriage is delayed, in that case, my preparations, which almost take 2-3 years, will further be delayed.  Raju Bhai, by this time, had himself married to Sudesh Kumari, grand daughter of Shri Devi Chandji Padha of Ladori and also by that time bhai had become a known astrologer. 

        The perfect janam kundalies of all of us have been written by him.  Bhai assured me that he would definitely speak to elders regarding my immediate marriage.  In the meantime, he advised me to observe fasting on next sixteen Thursdays and then every thing would be alright.  You know what?  I kept fast on sixteen Thursdays but nothing happened!

       During 1971 Indo-Pak War, I was posted at Army Warfare School, Gulmarg.  In the end of the war, Shri Gur Prasadji, who was Bhai's Mama, came to Ladori for an overnight visit.  I was also present at home that day.  Pitaji asked Gur Prasad to look for a suitable girl for his son Amrit. Gur Prasad said, "Larki toh hai, bass aap haan karen".  Pitaji okeyed and asked Gur Prasad to proceed further.  Baat aage bhari but still it took one and a half years to materialize. 

        My marriage was held in July, 1973.  Time passed, Vandana was borne and after three years, Vivek came in 1977.  In the meantime, my preparations for posting abroad were already on.  In December, 1979, I along with my family reached New Delhi for documentation at Army HQ.  During this period, we stayed with Raju Bhai in his quarter, who took great deal of trouble in accommodating us in a limited space of his quarter.  On 31 December, 1979, we left for Canberra!

       May I tell you that it is not at all possible for me to write about the greatness of bhai in few paras.  I have tried only to bring out some happy moments that we had together when we were small.  Another point to pen down little about bhai is only to acquaint generation next with the recent past.

       Raju Bhai is now Manjhol Parivar's head.  Being an astrologer of repute, bhai remains busy both at home and outside.  Bhai is great. Pranam!