The First Convoy

“You call it Army, we call it life!” The line around which my entire childhood evolved, turned out to be true at each moment these days. Life was never this much fascinating ever before. While the heart always belonged to the camouflaged uniform, somehow my mind led me to the college life. But as it is said, if it’s meant to be, it will surely happen. After those rigorous rib breaking training sessions, it seems like a dream now. Starting from the first day of enthusiasm to the midway of the course, all exhausted yet full of zeal, to the most cherished ‘Antim Pag’; every single moment started flashing in front of my eyes as I was about to take a step ahead. It was my first posting; to the land where nature beholds petty secrets within, Assam. The first always has something which the rest can’t provide. One has truly said, it’s the beauty which kills and the beauty of Assam is worth dying for. The entire troop was ready to march. With a heart full of enthusiasm and a mind equipped with responsibility, I headed towards my vehicle to experience my first ever convoy. I was about to live my dream and the reality never seemed this much sweet ever before. It was the time where I had to execute every little thing which I treasured during my academy days. With a total of sixty vehicles, the convoy started from Jorhat, Assam to some places which were never familiar in those days when I had a life of a civilian. Indian geography seems polls apart from the days of school. If you are in Army, you will probably know and visit the furthest corner of a state which might not even exist in a random citizen’s knowledge. An exercise was supposed to be held in Arunachal, which was the ultimate destination of our 2 days’ journey. When we say ‘brothers in arms’, we ensure it at every step. Maintaining sixty vehicles at one go can never be an easy task. But in Army, easy is too mainstream; so we take the route lesser taken. Though we all started together, things didn’t turn out to be as we expected at the beginning. 20 vehicles got detached causing a little worry to all the officers. But after a short span and a heavy dose of thrashing, everyone was at the same stream again. During such huge convoy what matters the most is one’s management skills. What we learnt at IMA got hundred times tougher at the hard-core reality. Maintaining the same speed, keeping the jawans focused and motivated at the same time, showing your leadership skills without letting it take a toll on you and staying alert at the same time is no less than a challenge. On the first day our route, from Jorhat to Missamari, was through the alluring tea gardens of Assam where greenery drenches your eyes. It was around 0800 hours in the morning when we decided to settle in amidst the tea garden to grab some breakfast. I still can’t understand whether it was the scenic beauty which enchanted me or the feeling of the first ever experience that was spelling a magic all around. Across the tea garden as far as I could see, it was all divine. In my mind I only had one thought for the rest of the time, “my motherland is worth sacrificing for!” Assam has its own charm which captivates your soul with the never ending greenery and the beguiling beauty of nature. If you truly want to witness the serenity, visit the North East; in case you want to deal with the hidden challenges, join Indian Army! I was always more inclined towards the challenges than feeling the fervours of nature. May be that’s what leads me here, where I can make impossible happen. The uniform which is adorning me now, is not just a piece of cloth any longer. It means a world to me. The stars on my shoulder, once were dream, but now is the ultimate truth of life. Everything was boosting me up and I was in no mood to let this opportunity go in vain. Meanwhile we again started towards our destination leaving the captivating view behind. What was remarkable here was the team work. Each vehicle kept moving on the same speed, keeping a same amount of distance within, like a royal fleet. Undoubtedly, when it comes to royalty, Army owns the tag proudly. There’s always that classic touch for which it stands apart from the other two forces. While it was a long route to be completed, our main focus was to reach as early as possible. But there was that one place which forced us to take a pause. There was a small school beside the road with only two rooms and only a few little children attending the class. I was not surprised to see the amount of students but what amazed me was their sparkling eyes, full of enthusiasm. They didn’t have a little complain against the oddities and were full of sunshine. We parked all the vehicles outside the school and decided to spend some time with the school students. When we say it’s not a job, it’s a service, we actually mean it. And our service was reflecting in those sparkling eyes which were full of joy and excitement. Being a soldier what we want is a little amount of love and respect, not much though. But in return received a bucket full of things from these children. It’s not the money we which earn here, it’s the respect which keeps us going through all the odds, in the toughest situations. Few stood still and saluted, while others enthusiastically ran towards us to click a few pics on our phones while others kept smiling from a distance. As we also went back to our childhood with them. There were few packets of biscuits and other snacks with us which we offered to them and they accepted as if those tokens were the most expensive things on earth. Those little hands didn’t tremble for once as they kept saluting till we disappeared from their vision towards our destination. Empty roads, arrival of dusk and the glimmering stars, as if one has skilfully painted it all to conjure some conspiracy. Well, back in academy days we were taught not to be tricked by the beauty of things, though it was not applicable for the damsels but yes it was surely for the places we are supposed to explore in our tenure. Leaving the serene land behind, we entered into the CI area where every step was supposed to be measured; one wrong step and the entire troop would have to suffer. Hence, no option of taking chances. It was the exact time where an officer’ role starts. An officer is that person who is going to lead from the front, facing every threat at first. I waited for it quite long and the day has finally arrived where I had to prove myself and execute everything which I have learnt previously in the academy. Knowing risks at each step, I took the command in my own hand and kept moving with utmost confidence which led to a great success. After a certain span of time we finally passed the area and everything was under control. The road was taking us to the mighty mountains now; rugged, tremulous and proud! There’s something fascinating about these mountains. It keeps pulling you back. Those broad roads are gone. The way had become narrow and sharp; a wrong turn and you won’t be heard ever after, as the roaring river wouldn’t have left a single turn to wash away your existence. Jokes apart, it was going to be the most risky yet thrilling phase of the whole journey as reports are to be believed that the maximum number of casualties occur while going upwards. But what’s life without a dash of challenge? Back in my academy days I have taken an oath to safeguard my men and the time to ensuring their safety had finally arrived. Slowly and steadily all the vehicles were moving upwards while one of the ALSs broke down. Now came another major part of being a soldier; ensuring that the civil life is not hampered at any cost. We quickly responded to the situation and cleared the roads. Meanwhile another convoy was coming back from the top which meant we had to make way for them too. A lot of challenges came between but with our indomitable spirit and unbreakable zeal we conquered every nuance. Be it clearing the traffic at the mountains, to making way for the other convoy, ensuring the arrival of the rescue team at the earliest; we succeeded with flying colours and adding to that we were safe. Things which played an important role in the whole journey was the skill of the drivers who made sure everyone remained safe and secure. After overcoming all the hurdles we finally reached our destination seeing which I had just one thought in my mind, “This place is worth a thousand challenges!” Trust a soldier when he says such thing. Numerous goals are yet to achieve, plenty of risky paths are yet to be taken but things which the first experience beholds will always keep me moving to want for more. Just like the Shershah said it once and for ever, “Yeh Dil Mange More!”