The Daily Observer: 24th June 2020

😎THE DAILY OBSERVER-21😎

24 June 2020 / 03:56

This publication has had a dream run so far,it completes three weeks today.When the dream is pleasant,who wants to wake up ? Let it carry on,is the feeling.What wonders the record of a pleasant memory can do. Sanjay Soi posted a photograph of his visit to Hyderabad some time ago. Murali remarked that Sanjay Soi was a jolly good fellow and so was Vidur Nevrekar. Before he knew it, Sanjay Mishra found himself replying that he agreed , albeit reluctantly , because his exact words were - " no one will disagree to that ". And so history was made.There were smiles all around and as per Murali's wish, the occasion is being recorded for posterity in these columns. Jagdish Sawant, thought the moment was right to kick off a lively debate on nepotism in Indian politics with a pointed question.Joe Dhillon whacked this bouncer for a six with his reply that the reply lay in the question itself - Sawant had started the question with the statement - nepotism has existed in our country since the beginning of society. A further question on the same was put to rest by Joe with the rustic wisdom - Jiski lathi uski bhains. That's Joe for you - one moment deep philosophy and the next moment rustic age-old wisdom. 

Questions which are razing all around cannot be kept out of this forum and no gag order can work.This country prided itself on freedom and all are free to express their views and feelings. The other major issue of the present - the question of some veterans having political leanings and ambitions was also debated upon in detail by Murali, Umar,Sanjay Mishra, Vidur, AKR Chaudhri, Shiv, Naithani and Chandan Das in the evening. It was initiated by Murali's long post on "Selling of National Interests " and that debate seems to be continuing as i write. Maybe an extra edition of TDO will be required to cover everything. PK Sharma threw in a couple of jokes to lighten the atmosphere. The one on how ice-cream is ordered in Haryanvi accent is hilarious. Alfred posted a video on the subject of appearance of veterans on TV and asked the question - what do you think of this, but those immersed in the debate paid little or no heed. They were not distracted. 

Satish Pande slid in a  joke. Pratap Ghosh reminded all of Shakuntala Devi, Vish tried another joke, but the main show kept gathering momentum without a break. Navnit gave his viewpoint whenever he got the opportunity. Umar and Luthra did their bit, supporting people they had served under. Vish added his two bits. Saxy piped in now and then and once Andrews heaved a premature sigh of relief mistakenly thinking it was all over. Alfred kept trying and so did Satish Pande. Hitech Murali tried to distract with a short video-film. But,as we have all come to learn, once Murali is in that mood, there is no stopping him. He is up in arms against a large section of respected and other veterans. Arnab Goswami and Gaurav Arya could pick some tips from him. 

Before I forget, a video posted in the afternoon by Alfred, showing a guy imitating some famous Indian cricketers and their on-field mannerisms is really hilarious. Vidur's puzzle regarding the missing tattoo remained unanswered. Murali would do well to go through both. Watch and relax.The next c edition follows soon. 

Have a cool Wednesday. Offering form SSP...Cool song with cool dude...

The Chiwda Times: 24th June 2020

😎THE OBSERVER (M-6): CHIWDA TIMES--BOOZE 😎

23 June 2020 / 14:04

The first-born of Tamilian parents in Shimla, I was probably given my first teaspoon of brandy during the first snowfall when I was 3 months old. What I do remember clearly is that as a toddler, whenever I got back indoors after playing in the snow, my father would make me have 'eggnog' with a spot of brandy. I loved the warm sensation as it went down the throat. As I grew older, I would sometimes be given a tot of rum during parties. Also a glass of beer during picnics. Once I started travelling for badminton tournaments, senior players would give me a peg or two. It was only when i joined the hostel at DAV College, Chandigarh, that I had a full bottle of beer to myself. In college at Delhi, we would have a bottle of beer now and then and pretend to be very drunk. Jhang at the Tibetan Monastery was much cheaper. When a friend passed through Delhi on his way home to Port Blair by train after passing out of IMA, I was very much impressed by the sight of him and his batch-mates in uniform at the station. That was when I first began to think of a career in the Armed Forces seriously. Later, he joined his unit in Leh and said he would be passing through Delhi on his way home.I requested him by inland letter to get me "some" booze. When I went to meet him at the station, he handed over a crate of rum to me. I simply could not believe my eyes, I had expected a bottle or two at the most. I  pleaded with him to accept payment, but he replied that the cost was negligible - only three rupees a bottle! Then and there, I decided that the Army was the place for me. 

Stashing away three bottles in the hostel room of a non-drinking friend, I handed over the rest to my dad. On New Year's eve, I was walking up and down the Delhi Univ roads, with one bottle on each side of my overcoat, offering a swig to one and all.The third bottle, I kept reserved for celebrating after the CDSE results. I had already appeared and cleared both written and SSB. When the result was announced, I went to my friend's room to collect the bottle kept in reserve for the purpose. He hesitantly replied that he had finished it all gradually over the days, starting with a teaspoon to taste. I did not talk to him for many days after that. Meanwhile I appeared in the ten papers I had accumulated over my three years stint in college doing BSc. Gen. The day of the results, I phoned a friend to check out. He checked and bluntly broke the news to me - I had failed in all ten papers. There was shock all around.

I sat again for CDSE and cleared the written and SSB, this time in Dehradun for the Air force. I cleared the medical also and stood high in the order of merit. Now I failed in one paper by two marks. Since I had been part of the Delhi Univ team that won the All India Inter Univ badminton championship in my final year, I went personally to request the VC. He told me to apply for re-evaluation and on doing so I got the reply that that there was no mistake in totaling. I was told later by well-wishers that I should have sorted matters out at a much lower level. I had no choice but to appear once more in CDSE, clear SSB and await results. There was a strike in the University and results were not declared in time for me to join IMA. With the kind help of a Cabinet minister of the time, I managed somehow to get my result conveyed directly to Army HQ at the last minute for joining OTA. I took immense pleasure in burning all my science books thinking I would never go anywhere near those subjects again. I reported to OTA after the course had already commenced, in a walking-wounded condition after a bike accident that followed a drinking session in IIT, Chennai. 

So imagine my state when I was informed just  before passing out that I was to join the Corps of Engrs!