Lt Sourabh Kalia My Buddy

Lt Saurabh Kalia or shall I write the hero Lt Saurabh Kalia. He was my neighbour in the Indian military academy, Dehradun. Nice days they were, we all were students or the GCs as we were called meaning Gentleman Cadets.

Saurabh was a very quiet and fun loving person. Always smiling and ready to help others in need. I learnt a lot from him specially he taught having patience to me.

It was in last semester we went for a Chindits camp. As all the camps end this camp was also to end with a run back. Run back, is a competition as to which training company reaches first back to the Academy. In this we are in the battle dress with big back pack with ration the first line ammunition weapon and all the clothes and what ever we carry with us. This camp is of five days and these are the worst days one can have. Our DS were the worst when it came to screwing some ones happiness and they knew exactly as to where and how it pains the most. All nights were a session worth every dogs life on this earth.

On the 3^rd and 4th night we had training for the whole night with the art of survival in the jungle covering the major part of the training schedule.

With no sleep for two nights the day of run back came and at around 1230 after lunch our DS gave 1 hour of rest and we were like logs for that one hour. 1500hr our company was lined up for the run back. I was no 1 mortar man and Saurabh the no 2. Tired we all were at around mid night while we were negotiating one of the check point waiting for the complete party to close in, me and Saurabh had enough time to touch our fundamentals on the mother earth. Time flew and before we realized the company came together, control items were checked and we were off for the next checkpoint. We were feeling something light and soon we realized that the mortar bombs were left on the last check point and we have to run back to reach the place were the bombs were left and the whole company was after our blood. There after reaching again the DS at that check point had a nice session of the complete company and then the mortar bombs were returned. From that check point to the next check point I had to carry LMG and that was a real pain but then those were the orders and orders are meant to be obeyed in Army.

Early morning we were to hit the Sheetala mata mandir but it was not traceable. Frustration was high cause precious time was being lost and all were in search of it all and soon there was the cry of joy. Kadam found it and also the check point. The DS was very smart he had camouflaged the place so well that we were unable to see the mandir as well as the place were he was sitting was well concealed. After that then we just ran down like mad dogs. The jungle was still very dark but there was light on the horizon and that was good enough for us to show the general line of direction and we all dead souls were now fully awake cause victory was few check point away and some 20 KM ahead. Finally we reached the long range at around 0930 and were on the battle obstacle course at around 1015. I thing that was the fastest climb I ever did of the Cariappa Bn slope with Mohanty and the SUO giving all the josh and cheering up.

Finished our battle obstacle course then came to long range did our firing and believe me the arms were so tired that it was difficult to even hold the rifle. Soon was the welcome sight the juniors were there they took our weapon to return in the Kote (the only day we were allowed by the kote NCO). Then there was the hero's welcome in the company lines. All our rooms seemed like heaven to us. The table was full of eatables pastry. rum ball . pepsi coke samosa wafers. It is the final camp of the course and after this there is more courteous relationship between the DS and the GCs and the dreaded Bn Adjutant.

Saurabh came to my room and just embraced me and said congrats YO you have done it and I said yes we have done it. Our company came first in the run back and not only this Kohima Company also bagged the best Company Banner on the passing out day. Soon there was a announcement ‘Yos Yos Yos Yos Yos all are requested to be present for Co Co talk and high tea at 1700 at the ante room’.

Our chest was filled with pride now we were soon to be officers of the Indian Army and will lead the best fighting machines in war.

Yea we lead them in war, lost many, many lost limbs, many lost there near and dear ones but we stuck to our aim and brought home the sweet victory. We lived to the tradition of our great Army and brought laurels for our country and the citizens of it. We took bullets and that too on chest and not on our back and are proud of it that we were lucky to have got the chance to shed blood for our mother land.May be some where my great great........ grand fathers who fought along with Shivaji Maharaj must have felt proud of me and must have a hearty time with their friends.

As they say

‘To every man upon this earth
Death cometh soon or late.
and how can man die better
Than facing fearful odds,
For the ashes of his fathers,
And the temples of his Gods.’

You have done it Sourabh we all are proud of you . some day when I will join you we will have the same old days again . you will always be remembered.