It was in the early nineties that I got posted as Commanding Officer, 6 Technical Training Regiment (6TTR), Goa. This is a unit to train signal operators at the basic level and for up-grading to higher classes as tradesmen. It was a well organized setup that was handed over to me by Col SG Apte, my course mate. The Subedar Major (SM) was a very smart person; he briefed me in detail about morale, discipline, welfare of troops and public relations. One item of importance was the conduct of men in public when on out pass. The men who came to upgrading courses liked to freak out during weekends when they went out to the city and more often to the Goan beaches on out pass. It was not uncommon for these guys to get drunk and get into trouble. So the SM used to take care by restricting out pass and sending men in groups under a Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO). He wanted my permission to continue this practice. I didn't like that solution, but allowed the status quo for the time being. However, I thought about an idea how to occupy the guys without imposing restrictions. Maybe, my experience in my college (REC Calicut) where we enjoyed unlimited freedom had created a strong belief in me against any type of restrictions.
I've a strong conviction in favor of removing restrictions and creating alternative options. I have observed over the years that men by and large remained highly envious of the lifestyle of officers. They get to see the officers mess and compare it with their mess. Any Jawan would aspire to have the facilities that they notice in an officers mess. Signal Operators are educated guys, exposed to the luxuries of life and when they come on an upgrading course they want to freak out. They don't mind spending some money for the kick. Goa is a place where liquor is available freely and at a reasonable price. So the guys like to go out and some of them booze up beyond their limits. Having analyzed the psyche of these men I thought if we were to create a facility in the unit that was attractive for these guys then they might not have to go out and seek the same and in that process break the law, get into trouble and at times get beaten up. This is the genesis of a Jawans' Institute at 6 TTR. I discussed the idea with the officers and JCOs. A few of them were skeptical, but my enthusiasm prevailed. I conveyed the idea to all personnel during the Sainik Sammelan and everyone welcomed it. I formed a team under the 2IC for implementation. An Institute was got ready for inauguration in two weeks time! It was modeled after the Officers Mess; it was something novel and those in charge put their heart and soul into this project to make it a great success. They framed rules for the institute; timings, dress code, liquor policy, accounting procedures, guest policy and so on. It was to be managed by the Jawans, for them and their families. I inaugurated the Jawans Institute in the presence of officers JCOs and Jawans. It was a great success. The men in charge took pride in running the institute as close in style to the Officers Mess as possible. Any Jawan could sign a chit for a drink be it whiskey, brandy, gin, beer, soft drink or rum. It was a departure from the practice of rum issue thrice a week for men. The 2IC and his team explained to the men as to how to change the way they drink; nurse a peg of whiskey for 20-30 minutes before a refill. The men liked to copy what happens in the officers mess and adapted to social drinking indulging in conversation with their friends while having their drinks. There were hardly any excesses. The men accepted the change and conducted themselves with dignity, pride and restraint. Everyone soon adjusted to the new order; drinking in accordance with what he could afford and in a respectable manner! The idea that the Institute is a place to relax and socialize was understood and accepted. The bar formed a part of the Institute, serving alcoholic as well as soft drinks and snacks.
The Jawans Institute became quite popular within weeks of its inception. The Commandant 2 Signal Training Centre liked the idea and he encouraged us right from the beginning. The General Officer Commanding, ATNKK&G Area on his visit appreciated it and asked others to emulate this idea. The word spread and similar Institutes and Clubs came up in other units as well!
I'm posting this story at a time when the Kerala Government decided on a statewide prohibition policy. I'm against reintroduction of prohibition in any part of India as I feel it would be a failure, giving room for a private, unregulated and illegal "prohibition industry" similar to the one that thrives in Gujarat, the only state under full statewide prohibition in the country. Instead, we should seek more and more innovative solutions to alcoholism, drunkenness and associated law and order, health and social issues. I would recommend better choices to engage people, including propagation of social drinking!
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