Chiwda Times: 21st June 2020

Chiwda Times: Boxing

Never having boxed in life before landing up in OTA, I was quite apprehensive when the boxing classes started. The ustads taught us the basics and informed us that each one of us would have to box a full three rounds in the novices category.Before one knew it, a list of bouts was up on the notice board. Panicker, a lean cadet from Kerala was slated to box with me,as both of us weighed around the same. I was  wondering how to convey to him to take it kind of easy during the bout and not get over-enthusiastic, without sounding scared.He was in the next room and we crossed each others paths a number of times,glancing nervously at each other. Finally came the big day and just when i gathered the gumption to talk to him about the impending bout, he called me over to a quiet corner for a chat.i readily agreed.He went to quite some length to explain to me that there was no point hurting each other during the bout in over enthusiasm.i was only too ready to comply.In the evening, we entered the red and blue corners in the ring to the accompaniment of blood-thirsty cries of the audience.The referee made us shake hands and gave the command to BOX. Both of us kept dancing on our toes, circling each other and throwing careful punches in the air.The audience screamed louder and louder and the referee kept stopping us and warning us to BOX. We carried on as before till the last round .By now, the referee had lost his cool and warned us both of serious consequences if we did not mend our ways.The crowd was also shrieking louder and louder. The third round began, and all of a sudden, Panicker landed a solid punch on my ear or there-abouts. For the first time in life, i reeled on my toes and saw stars floating around my head.The countdown began but I managed to get back to my feet at the last second. I could see Panicker grinning sheepishly, trying to convey that he was as surprised by the blow as i was. What with the crowd roaring on top of everything, i forgot all about our pact and started throwing punches around in earnest. Panicker replied in good measure till the bell went off. 

Tired and bashed-up, we went to the center of the ring and let the referee announce the winner. I think i won on points.But the story does not end there.A couple of years after passing out of OTA, I happened to visit Panicker in his room in Delhi.On the wall was proudly displayed a pair of boxing gloves along with a tennis racket!

Then there was this other course-mate who was one of only two such cadets in that particular weight category. He was chosen to represent us in the inter-company boxing championship. Straightaway into the finals, he was up against our junior, Rock, a University champion of repute and as solid as the sound of his name. The bout was announced and the boxers shook hands and withdrew to their respective corners. As soon as the gong went off, Rock closed in and all one could hear and see was a flurry of punches.Within seconds, Jude's opponent was down for the count. At the end of the countdown, he was in no mood or shape to box further and was gingerly escorted out of the ring after completion of formalities. Of course, he got the runner-up prize in that weight category. Of course, he proudly displayed the prize in his room after passing out. And of course, as a result of his seniors observing the trophy in his room, he was appointed the manager of the renowned boxing  team of the establishment.

The Daily Observer: 21st June 2020

😎THE DAILY OBSERVER-18😎

03:00

Rajeshwar Sirohi flagged off yesterday with his Good Morning motivational greeting (his good morning messages are usually posted in the afternoon).Probably went back into his kambal because he was not to be seen after that.The morning proceeded gradually but activity on this site kept building up with a lot of conversation and a huge volume of posts.Borrowing from the words of our Resident Astrologer - Mercury is in retrograde and chances of communication being misread are higher than ever.While one does not wish to disappoint the early reader, at the same time one wants to ensure that the clientele should understand the circumstances.The safest thing to do seems to keep mum and have no newsletter at all. But that won't do, would it? In one column, this publication has to cover everything from the front page to page three to the middle page and right up to the last page. It's obvious  that everything said cannot be covered, so the editorial staff has to make quick decisions on what is to be printed.The rest of the details can always be gone through in the original post.

The needs of the discerning reader also have to be kept in mind. While Pitamah asks for a sumptuous breakfast, Alfred wants a quick snack with his morning tea and Vish wants a "Hajmola capsule" before going to bed. Probably, there are yet others who are looking for a Viagra before going out to do what they do in the world. Not an easy task to satisfy everyone at the same time, but the attempts are there and suggestions for improvement are welcome. 

Sanjay Mishra posts a book review by a Rimcolian on a book written by another Rimcolian on some forgotten India-China encounters. Really? A Rimcolian recommending a book review by another Rimcolian on a book written by yet another Rimcolian. That itself is enough to put one off the entire exercise. Not that we hold any grudge against Rimcolians. They are the salt of the earth and know how to handle a little leg-pulling.This publication reserves the right to pull a leg or two whenever the opportunity arises. Sanjay Mishra added a lovely song sung by a young eighty-year old which should be a lesson to all of us. Then, we also have S. Murali, the one who knows it all. Just a mention a video and without going through it, he advice all not to see such things and mentions a lot of derogatory things about the makers of the video. Judging a book by its cover and making sweeping comments and shooting the messenger are not the hallmarks of wisdom and age. 

When one Kang leaves, can another one be far behind? A video posted first by Naithani and later in the day by Ashok Chauhan was easily the pick of the day. In this video, Kulbir Singh Kang makes a fervent appeal to all the armchair experts to leave military matters to those on the ground. Rings a bell? Our own version of Kang had said the same. Ironically endorsed by none other than Murali himself! Satish Pande's review of the TDO is like a paper in itself, worth going through. This was followed by another long review of TDO by Murali in which he promotes the message of Kang and castigates the armchair experts, while exhorting everyone to stand united behind the Govt of the day in the present crises. For those interested, Sanjay Mishra has also posted the book earlier mentioned in pdf format. Rajbir Singh's post on how to learn not to be argumentative is a must read - he had himself called it "very relevant to SS33/24 " and it has been further endorsed by Chandan Das - extremely witty. Sanjay Saxena posted a criticism of service veterans lowering the image of the services in the media by their conduct and unwarranted comments.This was endorsed strongly by Murali. Saxy followed up with  a lesson from the Gita on "action without desire".

Satish re-posted a message from Shiv on how not to be judgmental about others and focus more on oneself. Do not miss Suresh Dikshit's photograph of Grumpy's expanded den . The powers that be should learn something about how to take proper care of migrants from Dikshit. RK Mishra came out with the revelation that Pawan Sheel is an excellent singer. Looking forward to a piece from Pawan soon. SBT made use of this opportunity to dish out some mangoes which Pawan found delicious Two videos posted by Chandan Das, one on our world and its contradictions and the other on Gratitude and blessings are worth watching. The article "Goofing Up " by Col Noel Ellis posted by Vidur is a must-read. Noel Ellis is a known straight-shooter and minces no words when he says there has been a goof-up. Though all ranks from all arms and services did justice to the uniform, there is absolutely no doubt that there has  been a royal goof-up. Read and find out details for yourself. Was not able to attend fully the live Facebook session by Sanjay Soi. It went on smoothly despite some initial audio hiccups. Could spot Farook and Murali among those attending, so hoping one of them will come up with the details. The panel was very impressive and one should watch the video which is sure to be posted on this site. Comments from some army personnel on the PM's speech posted by Vidur lead to the remark by Sanjay Mishra that Gen Prakash Menon should be tried for sedition. Suresh Katoch wrote a long message regarding freedom of speech and right to opinion and so forth, coming out in strong support of his regimental officer. Sanjay Mishra responded in good time and explained how his remark was in jest and not made against the General. This was immediately accepted. Shows how such disputes should be sorted out without giving time for misunderstanding to grow. 

Bharat Bhushan's post regarding dubious funding of Univs in the US makes interesting reading. It was nice to see Joe Dhillon join the ongoing discussion on the stand-off issue remarking how the Sikhs of Arty and others had given an excellent account of themselves in the proceedings.Everyone agreed that all ranks and arms had indeed performed well. Talk drifted to the impending eclipse and Shiv explained its significance and possible impact. Shiv also kept up a steady feed of inspiring music throughout the day for keeping the morale up. Wishing all a Happy Sunday with the good news that the next episode of The Old Monk saga is on its way soon, as promised by Arun.