As it was the basic training for which we were sent to Chilka so let us begin with the basics only. During those six months we all were turned into the fine looking, smart sailor from the unruly school going youngsters. So to bring the desired effect the first and foremost change was brought in our appearance by giving us the Naval hair cut. It was the most painful experience which I will never forget life long. The ritual of hair cut was itself a fearsome thing for all of us.
The barbers rather Barbarians were ready to attack their poor prey (the under trainees) with their blunt equipment. Atleast the butcher sharpens his knife before attacking the animal but those barbers never took the pain to sharpen their scissors and razor. It was so painful to get those hairs (very few of them) cut with those obsolete weapons of mass destruction. So with hairs have gone and our civil clothes were already deposited we had only divisional colours and other sets of uniform to put on. Initially everything was done in divisional colours and gradually there were uniform to be put on.
During those six months of rigorous training we were made physically strong by adopting so many different techniques. First and foremost among them was running, be it during the morning PT, during the parade or going to classes or for that matter going to any place we had to go (run). Walking was not at all allowed. During the morning PT after running there used to be lots of exercises which I really loved. After PT we had very limited time for breakfast and thereafter we had to go for Parade Training at parade ground. Parade ground had its own rules and regulations and there were so many GIs (Gunnary Instructors) who were there to enforce these rules. The chief and most fearsome creature among them was one MCPO D Pal, the man was lean but had the most fearful nasal sound. He used to be a treat to watch when he used to teach us the nitty gritty of drills. During the Parade training again there was lots of running before learning to TEJ CHAL and march pasts. The long whistle (Pipe) which used to be blown up to make a sign for 05 minutes to colour (the ceremony of hoisting the Naval ensign and national flag) was like the god send sound for all of us, for those 10-15 minutes were of great relief to all of us during which all of us used to stand still and wait for the flags to be hoisted on the high mast. After the parade, it was time for the classes at Nalanda (the academic training block which was named after the famous ancient Indian university). We were taught by service and civilian instructors and different subjects were taught to us. During our time the recruitment of ladies was not started in different branches of Indian Navy so we were not being taught by lady officers, (I believe now a days there may be lots of lady officers in our training establishments). There were few civilian lady instructors who used to teach us. I can still remember the name of one of them Ms Chabi Chakraborty.
During the classes most of us used to go to sleep due to the tiredness. I can still recall one such incident when our class was found to be sleeping including the class leader (myself). That particular period was to be taken by one Sikh officer (I forgot his name now), and when he entered the class room, he found all of us sleeping and thereafter we were duly rewarded with the punishment of standing on our knees by resting them on the front tables, which was quite painful. After the classes it was time for the lunch for which we used to wait longingly. After lunch it was time for some rest but our divisional POs has something else in mind and instead of allowing us to take some much needed rest we used to be called and made to polish our shoes and boots for next days parade. After evening tea we used to be detailed for various communal duties such as cleaning the training block, living block and dining hall. Entire division were divided into the various working parties and sent to the different places for clean ship. There were few places where all of us used to be ready to go and there were the places where no one liked to go due to the presence of different people as their in-charges. During those training days anyone who spoke to us with some sympathy used to be liked by all of us, because most of the time all the people who were involved in various training activities used look in the angry mood atleast to me. I used to always wonder why all these people are carrying such look of anger. So little sympathy was like the god sent showers for us. There were various competitions among the different divisions, I represented my division in kabaddi.
Rest in next post..
The barbers rather Barbarians were ready to attack their poor prey (the under trainees) with their blunt equipment. Atleast the butcher sharpens his knife before attacking the animal but those barbers never took the pain to sharpen their scissors and razor. It was so painful to get those hairs (very few of them) cut with those obsolete weapons of mass destruction. So with hairs have gone and our civil clothes were already deposited we had only divisional colours and other sets of uniform to put on. Initially everything was done in divisional colours and gradually there were uniform to be put on.
During those six months of rigorous training we were made physically strong by adopting so many different techniques. First and foremost among them was running, be it during the morning PT, during the parade or going to classes or for that matter going to any place we had to go (run). Walking was not at all allowed. During the morning PT after running there used to be lots of exercises which I really loved. After PT we had very limited time for breakfast and thereafter we had to go for Parade Training at parade ground. Parade ground had its own rules and regulations and there were so many GIs (Gunnary Instructors) who were there to enforce these rules. The chief and most fearsome creature among them was one MCPO D Pal, the man was lean but had the most fearful nasal sound. He used to be a treat to watch when he used to teach us the nitty gritty of drills. During the Parade training again there was lots of running before learning to TEJ CHAL and march pasts. The long whistle (Pipe) which used to be blown up to make a sign for 05 minutes to colour (the ceremony of hoisting the Naval ensign and national flag) was like the god send sound for all of us, for those 10-15 minutes were of great relief to all of us during which all of us used to stand still and wait for the flags to be hoisted on the high mast. After the parade, it was time for the classes at Nalanda (the academic training block which was named after the famous ancient Indian university). We were taught by service and civilian instructors and different subjects were taught to us. During our time the recruitment of ladies was not started in different branches of Indian Navy so we were not being taught by lady officers, (I believe now a days there may be lots of lady officers in our training establishments). There were few civilian lady instructors who used to teach us. I can still remember the name of one of them Ms Chabi Chakraborty.
During the classes most of us used to go to sleep due to the tiredness. I can still recall one such incident when our class was found to be sleeping including the class leader (myself). That particular period was to be taken by one Sikh officer (I forgot his name now), and when he entered the class room, he found all of us sleeping and thereafter we were duly rewarded with the punishment of standing on our knees by resting them on the front tables, which was quite painful. After the classes it was time for the lunch for which we used to wait longingly. After lunch it was time for some rest but our divisional POs has something else in mind and instead of allowing us to take some much needed rest we used to be called and made to polish our shoes and boots for next days parade. After evening tea we used to be detailed for various communal duties such as cleaning the training block, living block and dining hall. Entire division were divided into the various working parties and sent to the different places for clean ship. There were few places where all of us used to be ready to go and there were the places where no one liked to go due to the presence of different people as their in-charges. During those training days anyone who spoke to us with some sympathy used to be liked by all of us, because most of the time all the people who were involved in various training activities used look in the angry mood atleast to me. I used to always wonder why all these people are carrying such look of anger. So little sympathy was like the god sent showers for us. There were various competitions among the different divisions, I represented my division in kabaddi.
Rest in next post..
I still remember MCPO GI, D Pal an outstanding GI & a good human being outside Parade Ground.
ReplyDeleteYour way of giving info with full details is very good. Some info on menus of trainees mess also required. We are still waiting your next post. Thanks.
ReplyDelete