Katradhu Vaan Alavu - 6

EG

In the evening on 08 Jan 88, when we were dropped at the Domestic Area - We could see a Mini India. Later, in the same evening, I could see a girl in the lot and how come, I was wondering !!!. Subsequently, it was learnt that the individual was a Sardarji. We were allotted with the Billets (Barracks) for the stay. We had bath and then we were taken to the Mess for the Dinner. Rice, Chapati, 02 - Veg Curries and milk were provided. In the case of a Non-Vegetarian, Mutton and 01 Veg Curry were given. There was a very long queue, why because after the dinner, we were to go for the Evening Classes.

As a general rule, there will not be vuppu and sappu in the Armed Forces Food. Why because the excess Salt, Chilli and other Masalas would not only be harmful but also affect the personnel in many ways. Excess of turmeric powder was used and the usage of onion was made lesser. We could see the grease of Vanaspathi in the plates of the Trainees. The chapati was without salt, I had like that for the first time in the life. The same was the case with other dishes (I mean that the salt was very very less but in Chapati absolutely no salt at all and it is the North Indian style of making Chapatis without adding salt to the Atta).

After having the dinner we were heading for the Classes in Flights (I mean whenever we were to go out, we must go in group and that we called it and ofcourse now also we need to call it a Flight). Like in "Velaikaaran (I talk English, Walk English, run English ...), We also went in flights, came back in flights, talked of flights but never flew or flew in Flights. I could not have even a Quarter stomach full of food, as we were not accustomed to the taste of food (How many times I must had commented Mom and Sister about their food preparations and I really had it) and I was very sure that rat would run in my stomach on that fateful day (I mean vaithla irundhu sound idhyaadhi idhyaadhi dhaanunga ......). In the class room, the attendance was taken. We had 10 Flights and we were allotted with the Flight with the last digit of the Service Numbers. That means, in case of an individual, if his number ends with 6, he would be in the Sixth Flight. Accordingly, I was in the Fourth flight, I mean my number ends with 4.

On our back from the class, we were to fall in for the Night Roll Call. It is basically in order to check the availability of the trainees. It is a standard practice. Every day there was a Health Run in the morning, then we could have B' Fast and after which there was a Parade. After the parade, there was a Tea Break and after that Morning Classes were conducted. The morning class timing was from 1000 hrs to 1330 hrs.

Contradictory and unlike the practice in the Civil of

"Eat Break Fast Like a King

Eat Lunch Like a Prince

Eat Dinner Like a Pauper" concept,

We were given a very very limited Break Fast (even when a Trainee Passes Out from the Training Centre, I mean even after he became a Permanent Staff - the same Quantity only would be given as B'Fast) in order to avoid laziness and sleepiness in the Class Room or at work. When it comes to lunch and the dinner, there is no such limitation. When we came after the classes, we were provided with the lunch (Potatoes occupied a major place in all the three times of the food). After the lunch, we could have a nap from say 1400 hrs to 1600 hrs. At 1630 hrs, there used to be P T. After PT we took bath and to be ready for the dinner, night classes and night roll call.

After 2230 hrs, all lights were to be put off. This was to be strictly adhered to. Ground Training Instructors (GTIs) were on the move to check this. In case of non-adherence, the individual concerned had to go in for the punishment. During evening, full sleeves were to be used in order to safeguard from the mosquitoes. A Trainee should make use of the Mosquito net at night. In one Charpoy (cot), only one trainee at a time can sit. If two were found, then the same story, the punishment was given.

If we see very deeply these things, we would understand one thing that all these were for the safety and precaution of an individual. One day due to over heat, I could not sleep in the cot and I thought I would sleep in the Floor. I was noticed by the GTI during his Raathiri Round Up and I was asked to report to him the next day. I got a punishment of pouring 20 big and full buckets of water to the garden which was maintained in front and backside of each and every Billet.

Hoping to see you soon .........