He was commissioned, post Independence, from IMA Dehradun in Jun 1955. The officers of that vintage were trying to come to terms with the lifestyle of the bygone era, a legacy left by the British Army, albeit with a drastically reduced pay-packet in hand. Thanks to the first pay commission, life was managed by the magic of post-dated cheques, payments by instalments, supplemented by frequent withdrawals from the provident fund. A technical graduate, competing with ex NDA and Direct entry compatriots, managed well to overcome the numerous obstacles faced during training and later in service. He has had a chequered career including a long tenure with DRDO while in service and later in R&AW followed by a stint with ECIL, a PSU, as their Defence advisor. Council member of IETE, these days he spends his time in painting, writing and at times interacting with Management and IT students on the topic of Soft- Skills his area of interest.The reader joins the author in his ‘Journey through Life’ some times in 1935-36, following him through the simple ways of life in Western UP villages as perceived by a child of five and six, then to Delhi of yore and the small towns of the province. He feels the cultural shock of the move to Lucknow in the 50’s and the freewheeling life in the university is introduced to the new concept of ‘Love at Far Site. Next on to Indian Military Academy at Dehradun in the foothills of Shiwaliks with its dreaded Drill Square and the Obstacle Course, passing-out with the proud but shaky 2nd Lieutenant married to his new, but virtual wife; the ‘Army, to face the pains of growing up in the post Independence Army, a blend of the British traditions and the Indian value system. Soon the reader is introduced with the new ‘Babbler’, post facing the young officer’s ‘Love at First Sight’, feels the pangs of separation in married life and the author’s mental agony due to the conflicting needs and demands of the two wives, one loving and demanding; the other just demanding. Moves with him in the battle ground on entering the ‘Valley of Death’ to soon face the uncertainties to life and limb, during the 1962 Sino-Indian Conflict, As the author climbs his career ladder, the reader has a chance to look at the intricacies of Command and Staff at Army HQ and the student – instructor relationship in a service environment, so different from traditional institutions. The reader is saddened watching the author’s trauma on being a helpless witness to his wife’s tenacious fight with cancer, with his only partly successful efforts, to minimise her pains through the long struggle, culminating in her untimely demise, finally to sympathise with his efforts to cope with remorse, pain and guilt of living without her.
Brig Lakshman Singh VSM (Retd)
MSc, PTSC, LDMC, FIET, FNTF, MSEMC (India)
Book Release: BLS Publishers, P 539, Sector- 21, Noida 201301
For the Book Release Function At Vatika Signals Enclave Rao Tula Marg, New Delhi on 2nd March 2009 at 6 PM of ‘A Soldier’s Journey through Life With Two Wives’ By Brig Lakshman Singh VSM (Retd)
Members attending are requested to confirm by e- mail lakshman31auto@gmail.com so the a formal invitation can be sent and arrangements made- Note- delete auto when sending email.
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