My vacation's over as of tomorrow...boohoo!! Why do they always have to go by so fast? I wish I could take a permanent vacation. Oh well, these 10 days haven't been bad either. And I virtually did nothing for a change. (And it actually felt good.) I pretty much sat on my butt and vegged (but for that one day of shopping). Tomorrow.. Its back to hell with fluorescent lighting.
And to think I almost skipped this one. In fact, I went on the trip only because the tickets had already been bought and I was not very keen on going through the rigmarole of getting them cancelled. Now in the retrospect I think even procrastination has its own virtues.
Lotsa stuff happening in my life but I am not telling now. Need some time to assimilate it all. Overall, it was a great vacation. More like a family reunion. Met some of my cousins after a decade. Everyone seemed so grown-up. Lots of new additions to the family, 6 more nieces and nephews. The "Singh" Clan is growing fast!! and everyone's doing extremely well for themselves. That's a nice feeling!!
The highlight of the trip was a visit to IMA (dad's an alumnus). Indian Military Academy at Dehradoon is built on 1500 acres of land and has the charm of a rustic British colony. Picture Perfect! The academy has a rich history of transforming young men into courageous, dynamic and erudite young officers of integrity, who are to bear the brunt of battle, or hardship whilst guarding the Nation's frontiers. (quoting dad verbatim here)
IMA is near the supposed ‘Ashram’ of Guru Dronacharya of the Mahabharat era. Hence, the ceremonial gate opposite the Chetwode Building is called Dron Dwar. Kingsley and Collins Block, Tons Valley, War Memorial and the Museum and of course the Gentlemen Cadets (GCs)... It was so worth the trip!
There was a time, when I was younger, when I thought that MEN in UNIFORM had the ultimate X Factor. What the heck? I still do. Anyways.. Where was I? Me and my digression!! Yes about Men in Uniform..
I feel there was something about an all male contingent braving it out in the elements, among alpha male machinery and equipment (Guns and Tanks), bonding over drinks and backslapping, something about them that was undeniably macho and rugged, and those crew cuts, straight pants, structured life for a grander goal - defending the country - something bigger and better than cramming for some B school entrance to become a corporate yuppie.
I really liked the engraving in Chetwood Hall which sums it up nicely:
"The welfare and comfort of the country comes first, always!"
"The welfare and comfort of those you command comes next."
"The welfare and comfort of your personal self comes last."
No wonder then that Indian Army has produced people like Major Somnath Sharma, Col. Hoshiar Singh, 2/Lt. Arun Khetarpal, Capt. Vikram Batra and Lt. Manoj Pandey who valiantly laid down their lives for the country. Now thats a life well lived!!
And to think I almost skipped this one. In fact, I went on the trip only because the tickets had already been bought and I was not very keen on going through the rigmarole of getting them cancelled. Now in the retrospect I think even procrastination has its own virtues.
Lotsa stuff happening in my life but I am not telling now. Need some time to assimilate it all. Overall, it was a great vacation. More like a family reunion. Met some of my cousins after a decade. Everyone seemed so grown-up. Lots of new additions to the family, 6 more nieces and nephews. The "Singh" Clan is growing fast!! and everyone's doing extremely well for themselves. That's a nice feeling!!
The highlight of the trip was a visit to IMA (dad's an alumnus). Indian Military Academy at Dehradoon is built on 1500 acres of land and has the charm of a rustic British colony. Picture Perfect! The academy has a rich history of transforming young men into courageous, dynamic and erudite young officers of integrity, who are to bear the brunt of battle, or hardship whilst guarding the Nation's frontiers. (quoting dad verbatim here)
IMA is near the supposed ‘Ashram’ of Guru Dronacharya of the Mahabharat era. Hence, the ceremonial gate opposite the Chetwode Building is called Dron Dwar. Kingsley and Collins Block, Tons Valley, War Memorial and the Museum and of course the Gentlemen Cadets (GCs)... It was so worth the trip!
There was a time, when I was younger, when I thought that MEN in UNIFORM had the ultimate X Factor. What the heck? I still do. Anyways.. Where was I? Me and my digression!! Yes about Men in Uniform..
I feel there was something about an all male contingent braving it out in the elements, among alpha male machinery and equipment (Guns and Tanks), bonding over drinks and backslapping, something about them that was undeniably macho and rugged, and those crew cuts, straight pants, structured life for a grander goal - defending the country - something bigger and better than cramming for some B school entrance to become a corporate yuppie.
I really liked the engraving in Chetwood Hall which sums it up nicely:
"The welfare and comfort of the country comes first, always!"
"The welfare and comfort of those you command comes next."
"The welfare and comfort of your personal self comes last."
No wonder then that Indian Army has produced people like Major Somnath Sharma, Col. Hoshiar Singh, 2/Lt. Arun Khetarpal, Capt. Vikram Batra and Lt. Manoj Pandey who valiantly laid down their lives for the country. Now thats a life well lived!!
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