Ripu Daman Singh
As old parents, we love to tell our life stories to our children. And we always love to narrate happy, brave, and achievements filled incidents. Afterall, every child loves to see a hero in his/her father. That is possible provided we have filled our young days with good deeds, and not wasted our time in gossips and negativity. We hardly realize this when young, and growing up. Having crossed 58 and just hung up my uniform, I realize it very clearly. Thank God, I do not have to think very hard to recount the happy events of my life.
The other day, I was taking a walk with my daughter and son. They asked me ‘Papa, how do you look at your hey days?’ I was just waiting for this chance, and as an ‘old man’ is never tired of his stories, so I started with my school, first. I was transported to 1964 when I joined K G School, Belgaum , moving from a remote village in Haryana, 2000 Kms away. I recount how I learnt English and GK through reading the daily news papers and the Reader’s Digest from class 6th itself, my opening up from shyness in the morning school assembly, working tirelessly to become an orator, and learning to write through daily diaries and weekly compulsory letter to parents. I emphasize the value of a good teacher and elaborate how our visionary Principal, late RS Mani, took interest and drew the best out of us.
Then I move on to my life in the DAV college, Chandigarh in 1971. I recount to my children the way we enjoyed the various youth leadership training camps under Dr KC Anand of Panjab University , who taught us to be ourselves and do something for the society. That led us to joining the NSS, organizing voluntary blood donation camps, as part of the PGI Blood Bank Society, and collecting help for the blind children. It was also a period of healthy competitions -how we defeated the arch rivals St Stephen’s college, Delhi, in inter –university debates, won laurels for our alma mater, and memorable interactions we had with our contemporaries Sushma Swaraj ( debating), Kapil Dev ( cricket), and Kiron Thakur Singh ( now Kiran Kher) in dramatics, and many more achievers. My daughter, being a lawyer, chips in, “did you pip Sushma Swaraj to a prize, any time? “ I said, ‘yes, only once in 1972 during the Panjab University Youth Festival held in our college, when I got recommended, and she got commended”. Otherwise, she was unbeatable. Thereafter we had tea together with our Professor incharge, C L Dhamija, who was my mentor. It was all in a good spirit. What we got in the DAV college was good education and an opportunity to become men of worth.
After the college, I get into uniform in 1973 at the OTA, Chennai. Now, my son, a young Lieut, perks up. Army did not affect my healthy outlook or upset my positive stories, rather it gave greater opportunities for heroic deeds. I start in the ascending order from my young officer days – the toughest commando course we did where we run 40 Kms with 20 Kgs of load on our back, helping of civilians during floods in Punjab, saving a drowning man in Tenga Chu ( Tawang sector ), while commanding my unit, the self help project of building eight ‘bashas’ ( temporary kachha houses” in Lalgarh Jattan so that more jawans could stay with their families, coaching the JCOs/OR for NDA, and my wife helping the illiterate jawans’ families to read and write, and sharing their emotional issues. A life full of activity and giving in olive greens.
The happy stories do not end, as we walk on. We move on to DSSC, Wellington , where I am a DS ( Directing Staff) in the tri service institution. One burnt the mid night oil to ensure that the students always got their corrected work in time, and what a challenge it was to teach the foreign students who did not understand English. But there was plenty to enjoy in the Nilgiris, after a week’s hard work. Then we move to Jammu , where one could look after the welfare and security of over 5000 troops every day passing through the largest Transit Camp of the country, which was also awarded the ISO certificate for excellence. From Jammu , we moved to Leh, and how could I not tell them about the improved facilities in Siachen, and massive relief work the Army did to rebuild Leh after it was devastated by a cloud burst in on 06-07 August 2010.
Now we move on to our village, reminding children of how the roots matter, being grateful to our parents who educated us when there was no electricity, running water, or connectivity to the village. The children have been regularly visiting the village and seen us preparing the young boys for army, sponsoring poor children, and taking the blood donation movement to our people. The motivation was so high that when we as a family gave the lead, the entire village came forward, including women in veil. It was also a matter of honour as the renowned Pandit Jasraj, who belongs to our village ( Pilimandori), was the chief guest. Oh lo, it is already getting dark and the good stories are still flowing. But, we decide to continue the next day.
So, you see, as walked for nearly two hours, one did not narrate even a single ugly incident of my life. The positivity just flowed. Thanks to our parents, and the school, who taught us to have our own identity, and lead a life of purpose. I still follow my parental sanskar ‘Do atleast one good deed a day, and enjoy your blessings”. At 58 plus, I have already started my third innings with a management job – 9 to 5. Happy stories will continue.
(The author is a Colonel)
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