Golden jubilee of ‘Born to Battle’ batch

Lt Gen Raj Sujlana (Retd)

The year 1971 holds a special meaning for those of us who passed out from the Indian Military Academy in Dehradun 50 years ago, and we looked forward to celebrate our golden jubilee alumni meet this month — to be together again, to reminisce, to laugh, share stories of the past when we were young. Our training period saw us build a lifelong bond of camaraderie and bonhomie, that made the years of intense training pass by with a smile. Those were rough days, but we were tougher. That bond continues, it needs no re-ignition, but a gathering is always rejuvenating. Most importantly, it is an occasion to remember those who have gone to the world yonder but still remain a part of us.

It was on June 13, 1971, that we stood on the drill square facing the historic Chetwode building; the façade seemed to beckon our excitement. The Almighty too blessed us, the heavens opened with a heavy shower; fully drenched, the cottons stuck to our skin, the hackles swayed on the headgear, but sentinel like, we were unshakeable. The parade followed, it was just the best foot forward. With the heels dug in, the rows moved meticulously to the appreciation of all those present, especially the reviewing officer. He praised our immaculate smartness, perfect drill and rare gusto despite the weather. The haunting tune of ‘Auld Lang Syne’ filled the air, we slow-marched on the final journey towards the hallowed doors of the Chetwode. We stepped on the ‘Antim Pag’ to cross the Rubicon, from Gentlemen Cadets we became Gentlemen Officers of the Indian Army. Our pride was boundless, the one star on our shoulders outshone everything.

A short leave followed, and by the first week of July, we bid farewell to our families. Their unspoken words were clear, ‘Soldier going to war — will you take my heart with you, so that I may share a little in the famous things you do?’ We reported to our units already on the battle stations. We were determined, ready to fight or die. Some of us never returned from the bloody battles, killed but with honour; it was sad that many of us died young and headed early for Valhalla, but the enemy learnt that ‘Veerta ki jaan hain (hum)/Bharat ki shaan hain/Tere hi kachhaar mein/Tujhe hi hila diya’. No wonder, we are called ‘Born to Battle’!

Among us was Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, honoured with the Param Vir Chakra, posthumously, for his valour, even acknowledged by the enemy. In the years to follow, many more would leave us, bravery remained their forte; there can be no better example than Col NJC Nair, Ashok Chakra (posthumous), Kirti Chakra — decorated with the two highest awards for gallantry during peacetime soldiering.

We were all set to return to our alma mater, the IMA, in June this year, but the pandemic gave no leeway so the new norm of a webinar was the only option. Our meet started with a remembrance for our stars in the firmament, the Last Post sounded, their spirits joined us. It reminded me of the words from ‘For the Fallen’, ‘They shall not grow old, as we that are left; age shall not weary them nor the years condemn, at the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them always.’

The open session followed, verbal backslapping, joking, a pandemonium of cross-talk, we felt our oneness; Babbuas, Bongs, Kanchas, Mizos, Punjies, Sirdies, Tants, Tambis, close-knit as ever. Like all good things, this also ended, with a hope and prayer to meet in the near future.