AFOVA New Letter 2 of Year 2021

Section 6 - Memoirs CV 2 No. 02 / 2021 Page 179 of 332 The Adjutant (Adjt) having made copious notes has a quick glance at his notebook and demurs: “No Sir,” smartly salutes and returns to his desk. He then walks over to the office of the Second in Command (2iC). He briefs him about the eclipse as mentioned by the CO. He adds that he will pass the orders to the men via the Subedar Major (SM). He requests the 2iC to inform the officers. He calls for the SM and all the Senior Junior Commissioned Officers (SJCOs) of the companies so that he can pass these orders down the channel for quick execution. Once all the JCOs report to the Adjt, he passes the following orders to them: “Everyone will assemble at the parade ground by 1530 hrs. There will be a total eclipse of the sun, which will appear for about two minutes. The CO will give a talk about this eclipse. QM will arrange to bring the safety goggles for use by the CO and selected individuals. Such eclipses do not take place every day.” The Adjt follows the talk with the customary “Koi Shak or sawal?” One of the SJCOs timidly asks: “Agar barish hoga tho?” (In case it rains?) The Adjt realizes that he did not think of this when the CO briefed him. “Theek hai. Tab Gym ko mov karenge.” (In that case move into the Gymnasium.) There being no further questions, they disperse to pass the orders down the chain. This done, the SJCO of each company called the other JCOs and Company Havildar Major (CHM) of his company so that orders could be passed down the line.The orders go something like this: “Everyone will be present in the parade ground by 1500 hrs. The CO will deliver a speech to make the sun disappear for two minutes. This is known as eclipse. This is something that cannot be done every day. The person in charge of stores will bring all the safety goggles to the parade ground. In case of inclement weather, the parade will be held in the Gym.” The CHM has a doubt: “Saabji – apne goggles ke bare mein bathaye. Kya prize distribution bhi hoga?” (Sir, you mentioned about goggles. Will there be a prize distribution?) The SJCO is non-pulsed. He did not clarify this point with the Adjt. Better to show initiative rather than at this late hour, go back to the Adjt for clarifications. He adds: “Haan, jaroor hoga. Canteen NCO, aap jo slow moving items hai, unko gift wrap karke, ley aana.” (Addressing the Canteen NCO, he instructs him to gift-wrap some of the slow-moving items and bring them along to the meeting)