Katradhu Vaan Alavu - 08

If God be with us, who would be against us.


Early morning – Health Run and every one could have B’Fast. Immediately after the BF should had to go for the Parade. Immediately after the parade, there used to be a Tea Break. It lasted for about half an hour time, during that time Tea and snacks were provided. Then after all should attend the Classes.

Like an officer with different Branches, the men (the correct Terminology is Airmen) were from different trades. Basically, the Technicians and the Non-Technicians. The Technicians are from both Mechanical and Electrical & Electronics stream. For the Mechanical part – the IAF has Air Frame Fitter, Engine Fitter, Mechanical Transport Fitter and Weapon Fitter and the Electrical & Electronic part – Electrical Fitter, Instrument Fitter, Radar Fitter, Radio Fitter. The Missile Fitters are available in both the Branches of the Engineering.

When it comes to Non-Technical Stream – the IAF has Clk GD (General Duties), Clk PA (Pay Accounting), Clk EA (Equipment Accounting), Equipment Assistant (Store Keeping), Medical Assistant (Nursing), the Edn Inst (Education Instructor) and in the Semi Technical - the SEW (Safety Equipment Worker – Basically the trade behind making of the parachutes) comes.

The main idea of keeping all types of tradesmen is to avoid the entry of the outsiders (I mean the pure civilian work force, for any sort of need), keeping the Nation’s Security as the prime concern. In IAF, atleast at times we could see the Civilians as a daily wager or as a casual labour. But whereas in Army, the usage of Civilians is avoided. All types of work required for a Base (Unit) is done by the uniformed personnel. In Army we could see the Civilians working – who are from MES (Military Engineering Service).

The shoes used for the Morning Health Run is Canvas, for the Parade Anklet Boot (Badaa (Hindi) Boot - Periya Boot) & for the Classes Shoes B/L (Black Leather). After wearing the Badaa Boot in the Parade, B/L in the Classes and using Canvas for the PT in the evening after lunch – every one would feel the difference from the heaviest to heavier and finally lighter.

After the hectic exercises, naturally one would feel like to have rest which was not feasible. As a part of training, other than the night time, the rest time within the day was restricted. So I had been warned many a times, for sleeping in the Class and for the Sloth like behaviour. That was the time I used to get a superb sleep. Immediately within a week of joining, there was a Weekly Test – There were four subjects, namely Mathematics, Theory of Flight, General Service Knowledge and English. My marks were 0, 06, 12 and 18 out of 20 respectively. Mathematics was very simple – But I could not solve even a single sum but still I did not deserve ‘Duck’ – Did I ?

On Tuesdays, my friend and I used to go to a Mandir (Temple) inside the Camp. Definitely the “Aarati” (Irai Geedham) was so much live that even today I am remembering those days. The language also not understandable – Hindi. But still we – Non-Hindi speakers could feel a force that was pulling us towards the temple on every Tuesdays, as we used to get full enthusiasm.

On the First Saturday that followed 08 Jan 88, we were taken in Flights (The same ..... I walk in Flight, run in Flight, talk about Flight idhyaadhi ..... idhyaadhi) to a Barber Shop (with atleast 12 chairs) within the camp, for the hair cut. We could see only the Machines which were in action in the hands of the Barbers and the usage of the Scissors was the rarest one. We were really excited to experience (Bitter ?!?) the Flight. When we came back, there was no water supply. The water timings were 0510 – 0730 hrs, 1300 – 1430 hrs and 1800 – 1930 hrs. When we came back, it was around 1000 hrs and we were tired as well. So, every one slept on the bed – The first time in my life time - touching the belongings without having the bath after the hair cut. It was really ridiculous but still we could not help.

Later we had bath and then after lunch. On every Sunday Evening, a Hindi Movie was screened in the Open Air Theatre as an entertainment. For the first three months of the training period, no one was permitted to go out of the Campus as we would not be aware as how to behave ?!? (ofcourse as a Soldier). So, for whoever he was home sick, it was nothing short of a Jail. But what to do ? - After all, it is a Disciplined Defence Service and no other go. I could get an opportunity to go out of the campus before the completion of first three months ………

C U Soon………… May God Bless