AFVOA Newsletters of Year 2012

Page 40 of 80 THE SIR RATAN TATA OFFICERS’ HOLIDAY HOME For Chennai-ites, the months of May and June are best for holidaying in the hills. Far from the mad scramble of the traffic and the humid heat, Ooty has a perfect get-away at the Sir Ratan Tata Officers’ Holiday Home. This facility is essentially for members of the Armed Forces although civilians are being allowed at a higher tariff rate. Situated in a large pine forest, bang in the middle of Ooty town, we spent a week there in May. Booking a room is easy, call Sounder Raj on 0423-2442216. Reservations are allowed for 7 days. In the summer months there is rush and it is best to book a couple of months earlier. The smaller rooms are Rs 475 per night. The larger rooms are best for a family with children and priced at Rs 700 per night. The rooms are clean and fairly well furnished, comfortable if not luxurious. Meals are provided on order and served well in the atmosphere of an officers’ mess. Check it out if you think of travelling towards the Nilgiris. Mythily Chari DOWN MEMORY LANE Recently our Jun 1962 batch celebrated their Golden Jubilee Reunion. On this occasion a small book of memories was brought out with contributions from us and our ladies. I was also asked to write and my piece is placed below. It may interest you. Buoyed by the youthful enthusiasm of an eighteen year old, I reached the IMA with an eager face. Everyday was a learning experience of how to survive in a competitive environment. Chandru yelled at me, “get up here, stand in the front row.” Later in private he told me that I need to get noticed otherwise I will get left behind. This dictum was no secret mantra. All my peers seemed to be practicing this in several ways. I remember hands going up when a question was asked by the Instructor. The reaction was so quick that I wondered how the cadet would have thought through the answer to be given. Evidently, the hands were those of us practicing the art of getting noticed. This was clear when the answer was given, bearing no relation to the question asked. One particular cadet who practiced this act avidly rose to be an Under Officer. Reminds me of my reaching a fall-in, 15 minutes late. “I am sorry Sir, I thought the fall- in was at 8:30,” I said with due reverence. “Chari, stop thoughting, do you understand, stop thoughting now. Just obey orders.” I guess the cadets who put up their hands just as the Instructor asked the question, had also stopped thoughting. Slowly it became clear that it is not for me to question why, it is but to do and die! Mr Oberoi struggled with the cadets to improve their zany English. Many times his efforts were successful, many times not. Such a cheerful person, with enormous