Blog for Batch of SS-33 / Tech.-24 of Officers Training Acadamy

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Passing out Parade in Officers Training Acadamy

Reunion of SS-33 Tech24 on 17th March 12: It was evening with nip in the breezy air and...

It was evening with nip in the breezy air and excitement overwhelming! After thirty years they were to meet! Now they were not as young as they used to be, nor as energetic which such meeting used to make them, yet they were in their best and were prepared to impress those they were to meet after such a long time.

Their affairs started when they were young and impressionable and easily enamored by the charms and attraction of their first date, which they had decided with unashamed celebration and gaiety. This day would be their first day after thirty years’ long-distance affair they continued to maintain so jealously!

The 17th of March 2012 was the date of reunion for SS -33 (NT) / Tech. 24. The charming venue of Officers’ Mess of 5 Signal Group was decked-up with the finest of Signal Regiment’s regalia and decorations. The silvers and trophies in majestic display were in effortless harmony of the interiors of this very impressive Mess! Farook with the lady was gracious host of the evening.

The course-mates, not lesser then 33 came from far-and-wide and in the midst was Brig. Subodh Kaul (12 Bihar), our DS along with Mrs. Kaul. ‘Rummy Tummies’, ‘Beer Bellies’ and ‘Couch Pouches’ were hall marks of some as ‘grey-hairs’ or ‘no-hairs’ were identification marks of few. Ladies in attendance were as charming as their children – all eager to meet and acquaint with each others. Thus “Re-union Cocktail Dinner’ started with a presentation prepared painstakingly by US Gill (Unserviceable Gill). This PP provided glimpses of the OTA life to ladies and children. It also had many rare photos dug out from personal archives of course-mates. Some of them had somber and some had hilarious responses from the gathering.

After initial introduction, group was soon seen slitting in the smaller sub-groups for more intense and intrinsic ‘catching-up. There was lot to exchange and obviously needed all the batteries to be charged-up. Thus waiters were seen always on the trot and tumblers refilled in double times. The snacks were tasty and toasts were raised many times for good health of course-mates, DSs and Hinduja’s you-know-who? It still remained a secret, though seriously all tried to find out as to who did that ill-famous ‘pinching-of-behind’, which saw the course getting the ‘ragada’ which we did not deserve.

Night was still young and alluring that we broke for dinner which was sumptuous and just a look of the dishes whetted appetites. Yet there were few preferring the liquid diet and continued their flirtations with Bacchus! It was only with reluctance that they proceeded for their dinner. Soon after the dinner, few ceremonies were to be performed encouraging the crowd to get the idea that tomorrow shall be another day. There were promises exchanged with the exchange of visiting cards that contacts shall be maintained and there were desires expressed very earnestly that re-unions should be now regular annual affairs as majority of the course-mates have already looked after their careers, children and families and now is the time, some of which can be spent of themselves!