Quadruplicate!

What's there in an extra copy of an application? In the Army bureaucracy it can cause a lot of delay and frustration!

Joe, my colleague, was a young captain when he decided to get married to a foreigner. In the Army, one has to apply for permission for marriage. And if you have to marry a foreigner the procedure is not that simple; you have to tender your resignation along with your application to the Army HQ. The resignation, as a matter of practice, is not accepted while the permission is accorded!

Joe, a serious guy, wanted to be absolutely correct as regards procedures. He submitted his marriage application and resignation in the prescribed format. He kept his marriage plan a secret but revealed it to me, a dear friend. Confiding in me, of course  was with a purpose. He wanted me to inform him no sooner than the permission for marriage was granted.

Joe proceeded on his annual leave for 2 months, to his village in Kerala, a remote place a few miles from Pandalam, but not before giving me a telephone number that was his uncle's who stayed at Pandalam. He briefed me on how to send an all important message pertaining to the permission to marry a foreigner to him ; he was willing to pay for a lightening call !  Those were the days of primitive and pathetic telephone communications offered by the P &T department.

Well, almost a month had passed since Joe pushed off on leave, when one night I got a long distance call  from Pandalam. It was Joe screaming in an effort to reach me in the middle of night. After a long wait of several hours, his P P call booked in the afternoon materialized about mid night. I had to go to the Officers' Mess twice earlier but the attempts failed as the calls had to be aborted due to one reason or another. Joe was agitated, wanting to know what happened to his application. He could not print invitations, the priest at the church wanted to fix the date of wedding, his parents and the bride's parent were getting impatient,time was running out and it was really frustrating! Poor Joe! I tried to put him at ease, saying, " make a plan and go ahead, I and our friends will take care of everything at this end" was not convincing enough! In fact he felt that I had done nothing so far and he expected me to be a friend in need!
He wanted me to follow up his application, get the permission despite the red tape and that too within 5 days!

I swung into action the next day. Met the head clerk at the College but he was evasive, telling me that it would take time but he didn't know how much since it was not under his control. He added that I shouldn't worry as such things were routine! Having got more worried than before I went to the College Adjutant (CA), a pompous major condescending towards junior officers. I had to wait for an hour to be welcomed to his office with his "what can I do for you, young man?". I started with the back ground leading to Joe's woes but he cut me short saying, "I know , I know". He asked me to come to him after two weeks, making a note in his diary. When asked, was there any problem, he said there was none with him but he thought different about the Sub Area HQ, "that bunch of idiots"! I was dismissed, clean bowled!

I was at a loss. So I called a few close friends to discuss for a solution. We assembled at the Officers' Mess bar and I explained the problem. Instead of finding a solution we ended up discussing what type of welcome and reception to organize! The guys left one by one and when I was on one for the road, the senior barman whispered to me, " meet the  Commandant, he can solve the problem". Morris , the senior barman was an institution, a benign presence at the bar, talking the barest minimum in monosyllables, always courteous and sporting a poker face or a faint smile on closer observation! What a brilliant idea, yet so simple! The Commandant was my CO and that too during the 1971 war and I was his pet Adjutant. Morris was smart enough to know this and whisper a suggestion!

I called on the Commandant the next day. Over a drink, I narrated Joe's plight. The Commandant and his wife paid rapt attention to the story; by this time I had become an expert to make it a touching one! The lady felt that it was ridiculous to cause such harassment. She invited me to stay back for dinner and the Commandant promised that he would intervene  and sort it out!

Next day, I got a call from the CA to meet him. This time, he welcomed me with a broad smile and started explaining. It was all due to his counterpart at the Sub Area HQ that Joe's application had not moved forward. He had sent the application in triplicate within a week but the Sub Area HQ wanted it in quadruplicate! The Army Order specified original plus 2 but the Sub Area blokes insisted upon one copy for each HQ up the chain, Sub Area, Area, Command and of course the original for the Army HQ. He showed me the correspondence, boasting on how prompt he was and how adamant and rigid the Sub Area staff was. I wondered why these guys fought over a copy and offered to get a few copies and rush to the Sub Area HQ, about 6 hours by bus. The CA said, that was not required; the Commandant had spoken to the Sub Area Commander that morning and resolved the issue. The Commander gave only 2 days to his staff to arrange for the permission while the Commandant was liberal with his CA giving him 4 days to complete the task of getting the permission and conveying to Joe! He was also asked to put me at ease and through me Joe as well, the same day!

An extra copy was made at Sub Area HQ itself and the papers moved up and down the chain through special couriers. I could call up Joe's uncle that night. Joe who was camping at  Pandalam came on the line and I briefed him about what had happened and gave him a green signal on behalf of the Commandant. He was not sure whether I was pulling a fast one and  asked me for something in writing, a telegram at least. I told him to go to hell and hung up.

Joe got married during the last week of his leave and arrived in station with his foreigner wife to a grand welcome.  His friends who arranged the event were surprised and their excitement diminished once they saw Jasmine, a pretty Malayalee from Kumbanad born and brought up in London, with little trace of foreigner in her but for her English accent. It was her British passport that caused all the problem for Joe!

Joe and I had a special celebration at the bar. Morris treated us to a special cocktail for the occasion and whispered it's name in our ears, " Quadruplicate"!













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Heart Case!

It was in early eighties that Army included ECG in its annual medical check up of officers. I was a young major posted at OTS Madras. In my annual medical check up, the medical specialist at Military Hospital (MH), Chennai, noticed an abnormality in my ECG. He downgraded me in medical category from SHAPE 1 to SHAPE 3 ( temporary) and also referred me to Command Hospital for further investigation and treatment. It was a shock to me and my wife. I got admitted to MH, Chennai, awaiting move to Command Hospital, Bangalore.

It is at MH, Chennai that I came across fellow patients, some in low medical category. Major Williams was one among them who welcomed me to the club of heart cases. He made it clear to me, "once a heart case always a heart case" in the Services, be it Army, Navy orAir Force. This senior major having 24 years of experience was candid in his views, giving tips on how to take it in your stride, accept the inevitable and make the best of it! He advised me to  buy 2 packs of cards and learn how to play different games like bridge, rummy, theen pathi, and paplu which were popular. He also wanted me to learn how to make friends with the nurses and nursing assistants who can make your life miserable or bearable. Another advice was not to grumble about food although the only palatable meal in any MH was the breakfast. It was always wise to create an impression that you were highly disciplined so that you can go violating  some of the rules without inviting trouble. He cited the example of how he managed to have his two pegs every night despite orders against consumption of liquor in hospital wards. Not that he had never been caught. Though caught red handed, the staff never reported! It was all due to his equation or rapport with the staff!

Armed with the detailed briefings of Williams and several other seasoned heart cases, I arrived at Command Hospital, Bangalore in an ambulance car. I was not allowed to walk from the car, instead an orderly got me on a wheelchair and took me inside against my pleadings that I could walk. Later, the matron, a nursing officer Lt Col, chided me on my reluctance to be wheel chaired citing it as an act of indiscipline besides the danger to life in the case of a heart case!

Following William's advice, I tried my best to enjoy my breakfast of boiled eggs, bred with apricot jam, corn flakes with milk,tinned bacon and tea. I was under instructions not to step out of my bed. Later during the day the nurse, a captain, came to take samples for various tests. Although I had all those tests at Chennai barely a week ago, she insisted on repeating them. Well, slowly I started getting used to the hospital!

It took about 2 weeks for the senior medical specialist to see me. He put  me through a battery of physical tests but couldn't find any trace of a deteriorating heart. My heart behaved like that of an athlete, perhaps improving in performance like that of a champion long distance runner!

The senior specialist consulted his Head of Department(HoD) who called me to his chamber and put me through another DMT, for a longer duration. I did it with ease, the pulse rate and ECG parameters once again confirming the health and robustness of my heart!

The nursing assistant who took my tests shared the results in my ears and complimented me for the success; he thought that my medical category would be upgraded before I was discharged. But it didn't happen so, proving Williams right. Once a heart case always a heart case! The senior medical specialist tried to explain to me why his boss wanted to be very cautious in clearing my case despite the tests. In the absence any previous ECG that is 6 months to one year old, he didn't want to take a chance! He assured me that I was alright and I didn't require medication but my medical category would remain SHAPE-3 that required hospital admission and review every 6 months!

After 3 days I returned to Chennai MH and the next day got discharged to resume my duties with restrictions applicable to my medical category. I was not to attend PT, play games or take part in out door exercises!

It was frustrating to keep away from group physical activities but I had no choice. I started going for a run alone in the morning and long walks in the evening not allowing myself to be written off!  One evening I called on a civilian friend and narrated my plight. His dad, Dr Verghese was amused to hear my story. He offered to take me to a renowned doctor, Dr Cherian. Dr Cherian was a close friend of Dr Verghese and he agreed to see me the very next day.  Accompanied by Dr Verghese, I went to Vijay Hospital. We were received well and a team of  young doctors prepared a brief on me before ushering us to Dr Cherian's room. Dr Cherian welcomed us and started his examination. He spent about 15 minutes with me, a memorable experience for me. He concentrated fully on me creating a profound impression on me. He put me at ease cracking a few jokes and ended up with the comment that I was perfectly okay with no trace of any heart disease! He further added that I shouldn't take any medicine for heart disease and I must continue with my rigorous exercise regimen. In sum, don't take it to heart that you suffered from a heart problem, he concluded. Further, he referred me to Dr Lakshmikanthan, HoD Cardiology, Madras Medical  College for a free echocardiogram and opinion.

In a matter of 10 days I got two certificates on my health and heart condition from  two eminent doctors of India which restored my confidence in myself. Since I was not  due for a promotion, my low medical category didn't have any immediate impact on my military career. Although I showed these certificates to the military doctors they were unwilling to take cognizance. I continued to be in low medical category for the next 4 years reporting to different MHs every six months without any change in the category. I got a posting to J&K. My CO, at the new station, turned out to be an understanding guy, himself having undergone bypass surgery and in low medical category. He allowed me all types of tough and physically demanding jobs apart from attending PT and playing games. He encouraged me to work hard and I had been enjoying professionally.

It was time for another medical review. I was also  due to be considered for promotion in a couple of months.This time again I reported to Command Hospital, Udhampur. The Medical Advisor of this Hospital had extended my category during my last visit, 6 months ago and when I saw him again whatever hope I had evaporated instantly. I went through the tests  on the first day, rested on Sunday and reported for further tests to the Medical Department. There I came to know that the Advisor had to go to Delhi on an urgent duty for a week. An Air force medical specialist would take care of normal cases during that period. The Air Force doctor saw me and asked me to get a treadmill test done and also asked me to be prepared to go to Army Hospital, Delhi within two days. I went to the waiting room and immersed myself in one of my favorite books, The Grapes of Wrath, by John Steinbeck. It was perhaps the third or fourth time that I was reading that book but  I really liked it. About 2 p m, I was still in the waiting room when the doctor walked in. Rather surprised to see me there, he asked what I was doing. I told him that I was reading a book while awaiting a call for treadmill test. He said sorry that they kept me waiting for so long and asked me to come next day at 8 a m and report to him direct. He also said something about his liking for Steinbok, noticing what I was reading.

I went to the Air force doctor the next day. We discussed Steinbeck. He liked East of Eden more than any other book of his! I was impressed and I thought he was too. Later we discussed my medical history. I had stopped telling Military doctors about the opinions of Dr Cherian and Dr Lakshmikanthan but to this doctor I  gave the full account. I went for my treadmill test and the doctor called me about 1 p m.  With a smile, he told me that all my test results were positive; there was no problem with my heart. He added that  he would upgrade me without having to go to Delhi or wait any longer! I couldn't believe my ears. My low medical category was coming to an end after 4 long years!








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Civic Action

In the Army we are taught Civic Action, an effort to win over people while in occupation of a territory. Here is an interesting example of Civic Action in Nagaland during the insurgency. 

The Army got engaged in a prolonged counter insurgency operation in Nagaland during the seventies. After a decade of fierce fighting in the region military pundits wanted more focus on the welfare of the local population. A new strategy to engage the villagers in developmental activities was articulated by the GOC. He wanted the troops to fraternize the villagers while fighting the insurgents. How to fraternize the villagers? We discussed this in the operations rooms in the divisional sector and several ingenious ideas came up. A bright Commanding Officer(CO) came up with a fantastic idea, to gift a few buffalos to a village. It was appreciated by the higher commanders. The Brigade   Commander gave his approval and on his recommendation, the GOC sanctioned funds for the program, under civic action.

The CO, a Jat from the Punjab did a meticulous job of getting six good buffalos with their calves all the way from Kapurtala to the Naga village, Chakabama. He ensured the training of the villagers on how to take care of the buffalos, milking them and also how to use the milk for the children. He monitored  the program daily. The Village Head and the men and women took part enthusiastically to make the program a success, as reported by the battalion. The Brigade Commander hailed it as an example to emulate!

Time passed and this Punjab battalion became due for turn over. A unit from Assam Regiment came to relieve. Normal change over took place in three months' time. Once the new unit was settled the Brigade Commander came on a visit. In the course of his briefing by the CO, the Commander enquired about the civic action program started by the previous unit. The CO didn't have any clear idea. The Commander insisted on an immediate report on how the buffalos were.

This caused a probe into what had happened in the last three months as far as the civic action was concerned . Several facts came to light. The villagers appreciated the intention of the previous CO, albeit they remained highly skeptical about its merit. They didn't want to offend a well meaning CO, therefore went along with the training and program implementation. They knew the turn over of the the unit was due and that the program would die a natural death by the time the new unit took full charge. They also had worked out a plan to celebrate; slaughter the animals one by one over a month's time and have regular feasts! This plan was implemented immediately after the main body  of the Punjab unit moved out. The villagers thoroughly enjoyed  the feasts with their abundant supply of buffalo meat thanks to the civic program accompanied with wine and of course,their traditional music and dance. On some occasions they had invited the new Assam unit men as well!

During the probe ordered by the Brigade Commander, the Village Head confessed to what had happened to the civic program and the buffalos in particular. He gave a convincing and plausible explanation. Nagas love their children and they feed their children only mothers' milk! Nagas are fond of beef and many varieties of meat. They found buffalo  meat  excellent and that too plenty of it to feed the whole village. So they celebrated for more than a month by sharing the meat and that too equitably among all the villagers! A young Naga added," That's our culture, we didn't want to offend the well meaning CO, so accepted the gift gracefully and waited for the Punjab battalion to move out."!

 You must factor the culture of a people while planning civic action! Yet another lesson for us in the Army!