The Fauji Kid
Maturing as a Fauji Kid is an experience by itself.
The sort of environment you grow up in is entirely different from just what any civilian kid would certainly have experienced. A Cantonment is a globe unto itself, it’s a sanctuary far from the hustle bustle of the remainder of the city. There is an outdoors theatre which organizes a film once a week. We have well-manicured parks, and also provision stores. The medical care was also given to us. From Pagal Gymkhana to Bada khana to RSI parties were my favorite things growing up.
Individuals here come from different parts of the nation, teaching us unity in diversity. The army is a religion in itself. As a kid, I was equally enthusiastic for a Ramadan or Chrismas orDiwalii. It was just a festival for me, my parents never taught me these are the festivals celebrated by a set of other religion. Guess that’s why I wonder why people ask for caste and religion. This is where I had actually experienced total acceptance of other people irrespective of caste religion creed color language for us nothing mattered we loved everybody in our Unit. The sociability and also the league that is shared amongst these individuals from various parts of the nation is well remarkable!! You need to see to believe it !!!
I’d be up and about by 06:00 hours as the Army truck waits for the children by 6:30 am. Going to school in 3-tonne vehicle which had a military personnel as a vehicle driver as well as a conductor, was well among the rewards of growing up in a cantonment. We hang on to the chains hanging on the sides suggested for safeguarding us. Children were picked up from numerous pick up points within the Army quarters as we took off to school via the breathtaking path of a well-kept location where on one side we see the Jawans marching to loud commands, battalion of soldiers running with riffles, several of them seen climbing up the ropes and executing various other early morning Roll-call tasks in the grounds near-by. This was a common view every day. Early morning assembly in KV’s (Kendriya Vidyalaya) is an event to remember. Children assembled in the ground, to the loud drum beats. As soon as we assembled, we had the prayer followed by a line-up of all local language patriotic tracks with the harmonium and tabla enhancements of our songs then comes the News and thought of the day followed by a pledge and national anthem. Post which we march back to our classes to the drum rolls.
Lunchtime was my favorite time (hum toh bachpan se bukkhad hai :p). I used to feast on warm bread pakora and samosa or chomping the crunchy peanuts which were sold on tiny push-carts. Eating my friends’ lunch box in the middle of the class is something I’ll always cherish.
After reaching home and finishing my homework, it was time to go out and play. Evening games of pittu, leg-cricket, hide-n-seek catch-n-catch were played. When dark, we return to quarter and deplete, have supper and watch Chitrahaar on Wednesday and Friday. Sundays were heavenly, playing cricket and football with pals in the massive ground !!!
My Father used to get posted every 2-3 years from one location to another. We pack everything and move to a different location to meet new people to experience new life. It was a grand affair in itself. At least a day before we leave to the week after we settle in a new house, everything was taken care by our neighbors. Food chai everything was served to us by our awesome neighbors. From Punjabi aunty’s Kadhi chawal or Malayali aunty’s puttu with kadala curry, we had an amalgam of meals. Standing at the train terminal with the trunks, olive green bedding with the heaviness of hearts, we bid farewell to our buddies who had actually ended up being family in those couple of years. Bidding a teary goodbye, we get ready for our following destination; there starts the journey, again with settling into a brand-new quarter, making new friends and starting a new chapter of life!!
Consider yourself blessed if you’re born into a Fauji family where we believe in humanity and love. To quote Dalai Lama that my father always taught me “Love and Compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them, humanity cannot survive”
Jai Hind!
