My training has started. Nowadays it is more to do with the introductions and welcome addresses and beginning of new classes. We have 14 theory subjects including information technology. They will be teaching us DOS, Ms word, PowerPoint Excel etc.

Our day usually begins at 3:30 or so with a shaved parade where you have to shave and fall in line by 3:30 or so. A senior then checks a shave and if it is not too good orders punishments etc . Then there is PT, where there is a mix of various exercises etc, drill which is marching and then classes for 2-3 hours. This is our schedule until our more military exercises start there is a huge AC computer room with around 40 computers, but we have not been there yet. There is an email center, but we cannot use it yet.

We had a formal dinner night here weather officers also came to our mess and had food with us. It went on for a long time [2 hours or so] cause things happen in courses etc but in the end everyone is left hungry cause there was no second helpings.

We had a talk on preventing injuries during military training from our Colonel (Dr) Pant from Pune. Here the rottis are very sad so I eat rice all the time. As it is there is never too much time to eat roti’s .

On Diwali day we were allowed to go to the ice cream parlor inside the Academy and the seniors were given out pass. Saturday evenings and Sundays are open to visitors.

There is a huge list of people who are injured. Most have minor wrists and soreness. My roommate from Delhi, Talwar has mostly got stress fracture . Which means he should be out of action for 2-3 weeks. A small number of people have left the Academy already and are waiting for their final paperwork. NO SUCH THING FOR ME!

Otherwise things are great here. We could hold do with some more hours of sleep though. We normally sleep from 10:30 PM to 3:00 AM. Then catch a few minutes here and there that is it. We shall soon get used to it, I guess.

How is Bai Mummy? In good spirits, I hope. Ask Sonam to start going to a gym and stay relaxed. What happened about his mobile phone? He has insurance for it, I hope. I shall write to Nugyal and congratulate them.

All is fine here we had a Mohani Attam dance program by someone which is part of SPICMACAY.

There is going to be a talk by a musicologist and the puppet show too, this month. Hindi movies are on every Sunday and English on alternate Wednesday. That is always the best sleeping time. My bank account will be opened by next week. I do not need any cash right now though. We now wear combat dress for a few classes. It is the uniform.

Things are great here!

Take care and stay in touch!

Bye

Love,

Nawang

I am writing this letter from OTA. We have all been assigned our battalions. I am in the Shivaji battalion Meiktilla company IInd  platoon. There is another battalion called Ranjit Singh battalion and that also has two more companies.

We have been issued our OTA ties which are not very fancy. We have to loudly greed our seniors and wear a tie and white shirt and black trousers. In fact, yesterday we saw a movie in the movie hall inside OTA. No using fingers while eating! No speaking in Hindi while talking to seniors. They might talk to us in Hindi but we have to reply in English. The head cadet is from my company and platoon he is GC Utpal S. More. So far there have been no ragging. It has been a lot of fun and everything looks exciting.

Although we have been here only for a day there has not been any free time as such. We will get to know more about it only later. There is no email here and calling up will not be very easy.

More later!

Love

Nawang

P.S.

I finally met Zal. He knew the other guys from Bombay will. Zal is in another company though. That guy Sheth who we met at station is married. This is how we are divided

so when you write letter right like this

GC 20423, GC NAWANG KAPADIA

Company Meiktila,  Battalion Shivaji

Officers Training Academy

St. Thomas Mound

Chennai 600 16

Things are getting interesting here. I have written a lot of letters and cards to many people in Bombay. I do not think I will get too much time later. There will be no email for us. There are 40-50 computers here and a compulsory subject here.

We have to run 2.4 kilometers inside 10 minutes, four chin-ups, swim 25 meters. These three are needed to clear the first term. Then there will be a lot of long hikes with 20-25 P JS loads. The discipline is very strict. Even while watching movie there are certain methods.

Please send with Sonam one full sleeve plain white shirt. I have one of mine at home, remove the pocket of the shirt, bath robe (I have borrowed someone else is now) Get one pair of Athletic Supporters small size for my roommate.

There is NO real hurry for any of these! Sonam might be able to come in on Saturday evenings or Sunday, but nothing is very clear. He can leave it at the gate, with my name, GC number, battalion etc

We have been issued our small packs, water bottles, helmets, etc and will soon be given camouflage gear and shoes.

For lunch, dinner, breakfast we have to wear white shirts no pockets , OTA Tie, black trousers without loops one pleat, black brogue shoes, black socks, one pen, two handkerchiefs, small note pad.

The seniors have total authority. Most just like to chat. If we mess up, then some pushups or short sprints. We have to at times get up and have a shave parade at 3:30 AM! Then go to sleep for a few hours.

Our PT has not started yet. Monday it will. Every time we see a senior we have to shout loudly good morning good afternoon evening . There is no ‘sorry, thank you, OK, goodnight’ and there is no Hindi etc. All juniors have to speak in English with them. They speak in Hindi.

It is very different and interesting.

There is a small hill from where they teach us map reading and then there is a 14 kilometer navigation track. That is a month later though. A lot of exciting things are going to happen before that!!

OK

BYE!

GC Nawang Kapadia

The training here is picking up pace now. We have a daily dose of PT and drill. Drill is done with beret caps and black DMS shoes and a black ammunition belt. We have 5 lectures a day, which happen after breakfast. Almost 80-90% of the cadets are dozing off at any given time. Only when the officer taking the class is v.v. strict that we make an extra effort to stay awake. We have military subjects and non-military subjects. Weapon training (WD) is probably our most important lecture, demo subject here they show us about various weapons, methods of fire etc.

I have just heard that I and two others have been transferred to Meiktila – I so make that correction in my address . Although I will receive all my letters on the other number too.

Our batch has a total strength of 255 odd with a few more expected a little later. In our previous batch 15-16 cadets have been relegated, ie they have had to repeat the first term, cause they failed their physical. There is swimming 25 meters any style/stroke (which is not at all much) no time limit. Running 2.4 kilometers inside 10 minutes, tough but possible. Minimum four chin ups, I could do 3, toe-touches on a vertical bar min 4. These are v.v. tough but the seniors will see to it that all of us pass in that.

Surprisingly there here lot of people are getting fractures. A lot of seniors have broken various bones in the legs due to running and marching. If you miss over 42 days in the whole training, you miss a term. We will be issued Nike running shoes soon. Even then just while running people are breaking their legs. Not due to any fall or anything. While doing 14 kilometers cross-country one guy just broke his leg and fell down. He got three fractures and now he is our course senior. Guys who fail and have to repeat are to be treated on power with seniors. Seniors have to be loudly wished every time you see them etc.

We have been issued are combat uniforms, small canvas rucksack, pouches, helmet etc. now the black shoes remain. Every Sunday is Hindi movie day, while Wednesday (alternate) is for English movies.

The commandant is Major General Israni from the Gorkhas. I will try and call sometime next week. Until we do not pass our drill test we cannot go out. The test will happen only after 12 weeks. I have been playing football here and am in the A Team reserves so far.

We shall be opening bank account soon, here inside OTA itself. There is a bank and PO with SpeedPost.

Every senior has to have an understudy, I am senior GC Vikas Mandal’s understudy. His father is a retired JCO from artillery. He is the best in drill in the Academy and one of the fittest cadets. He does not make me do too much work either

On my shelf, the lowest shelf there is a plastic folder in which there ICICI  bonds of my friend from Delhi’s cousin. He had given them to me to transfer etc I have not been able to do them. If you find them send them by Speedpost his address is

Asheesh Talwar

B-2/77 Janak Puri,

New Delhi 110058

Hope things are all fine in Bombay. I am fine and having a lot of fun!

Bye

Love

Nawang

PS How much time do theplas last? I still have most of them

I am writing down a list of things I need.

I have received the Speed-Post today evening and will send it back by Speed-Post ASAP.

1.            Socks to wear inside my woolen socks. Send me 2 pairs of cotton socks very thin to wear inside woolen socks .

2.            Some vitamin tablets. Asked Mrinal also.

3.            Electral one dozen now

4.            Some snacks. Not too much (3-4 packets)

5.            White Plains socks not very good quality (10-20 rupees ones) (3 pairs)

6.            4 clothes hangers – they are not available in the canteen

7.            Pajamas

Bas

I AM NOW IN MEIKTILA-I

Love

Nawang

I hope you have received the Speed-Post I sent. Pass on the letters to the respective people. I have received bathrobe parcel.

Call me up on any Saturday night at say 8:45-9:00 PM then they will call me and you call back by 9:15 -9:30. I can be there only until say 10:00-10:10 PM . Lights off is at 10:30 here and has to be strictly followed. I do not need hangers now. Send me some snacks and ONLY SALTY snacks. I am sick of eating sweet biscuits from the Canteen Stores. This is only one variety of salty biscuits. Send around 30-40 theplas also. Those finally got spoiled. They got fungus. The food here is good but sometimes in a rush you cannot eat enough.

Give me a call before Sonam is coming here. Say a day or two before. Few guys from Bombay want to get something down also, so they can deliver it at home and S can get them down here.

The AUO – Academy Under Officer, highest rank cadet is from Bombay and from my company. He is a good friend now.

The subjects here are very interesting, whenever we can stay awake that is. Good fun though. Baba should be back by now. How was his IMF meeting?  Has some constructive work done? We have cycles to move all over here.

I received a letter from Brigadier Randhir Sinh from Jammu. I had send him a card. Plus from JCN and Jaishankar and Palkiwalas.

Send me some info on Mahatma Gandhi and population explosion these are my lecture topics and I need to speak on them for 10 minutes

Everything is great here!

Bye!!

Love,

Nawang

It is now one month since I arrived at OTA, and it has gone fast. The pace of life is very fast here and we have to do everything on the double.

I received two envelopes with newspaper cuttings keep them coming.

Send some more snacks with Sonam also when he comes here next. Before he comes CALL ME here so that guys who want few things from his house, and he can send them to our house and S can get it. Send me food packets of Khakra, 2-3 packets of wafers (50-100 grams each), some 10 cheese slices. I also need ‘Crepe Bandage’ Alarm Clock.

If possible, try and buy 2 sun caps like the ones army uses ie those caps with those camouflage prints on it chata-patta –  green, brown, dark green all mixed.

I have a roommate from Kerala who speaks no Hindi, but sings Hindi songs, understands basic English and is always in trouble. We shall now be having an outdoor camp where we compete with other groups.

PT & Drill is going on strong. The Ustaad now is in full swing. Here there can be no LTBs (Listen to your Body), once Ustaad starts you have to go all out.

On Guru Nanak day we went to a Gurudwara and got to eat some variety of food.

With Sonam send one or two books of HBK. One of my seniors wants to read it. I am not sure if the library here has it or not ’cause I have not been inside it. It is massive though. I will keep in touch

Bye!!

Love,

Nawang

We have just finished a two day outdoor camp. It started out with a Point to Point march using a map and compass and walking with our platoon commander Capt. YR Acharya. Then we had a tent pitching competition. Where we pitched a tent (12-15 man) and my group was third fastest. Camp layout where we have to dig a 1 foot wide to 1 1/2 foot deep snake pit around the tent and other things . We have to work half the night for it. Next morning the Raceback. Move with the map and compass from point to point. Our group did reasonably well, but one of our other groups got terribly lost and wasted 4-5 hours making us lose. It was good fun and very very interesting.

We are now having extensive weapon training classes. We shall also now have computers stimulated shooting before we shoot real guns.

There is this guy coming from Mumbai who is a cadet brother-in-law. Send some snacks, an alarm clock with him. Send around 200-400 grams of peanuts to. Do not send too much but send substantial. I shall call up and let you know how to get in touch with him.

I received Baba’s letter about his IMF trip and the letstrek company details. Let’s see what eventually happens through that. Hope there is some sale in the shop and the stock clears up.

India versus Australia test series on 10th December. Let’s see what happens after Pakistan got whitewashed.

Bye!!

Love

Nawang

I received your birthday card today and liked it.

On Saturday, we had gone for a western music concert by the Eastern Command Naval Orchestra . Getting out of the Academy was the fun part. This orchestra is very highly acclaimed and played very well. Now when we go out we have to behave in a very sober way ’cause we have a far greater reputation than our own to protect and uphold. It was a fun outing and we got back just half an hour before you had called.

Pity I missed Sonam here ’cause I could do with some snacks on days that we have weapon training here. There is never any time for breakfast. So after 1 1/2 hours of PT or Drill we have weapons training till 1:00 PM and only then can we eat. We have to carry dummy rifles which weight 5 1/2 kilos with us. Now even during PT we carry those rifles at times for PT. There are various tests in PT and BPPT (Battle Preparatory Physical Test) in BPPT we have to wear dungaree, belt, small pack, pouches on the chest, anklets, rifles and black leather ankle shoes and run, do obstacles etc . I have two PT tests which I’m not confident of yet. All other PT & BPPT tests + swimming I am clean. I still have 1 1/2 months so it should not be a problem.

My bank account was opened here and our stipend partly will get credited to our account from January onwards, I think.

Any chance of Sonam coming down to Chennai again? Send me 40-45  Rs. 3 stamps. So that I can use them to send new year greetings.

Any progress about the sale of the shop? Or letstrek?

How was Ma’s exhibition? I am sure she should have got a good sale. Send me the poems ‘IF’ (Rudyard Kipling) and the one by Goethe (I lost it) and the ‘Road not taken’ two of them are on my noticeboard itself. Send it ASAP

Bye

Love

Nawang

I received your cards. Things have settled into a routine here.

The “Ragda” is getting a daily affair. It is all fair and fun. It is amazing how much further I can push myself and still feel no pain and enjoy it later.

There was a Zee TV shoot here and we made a little campfire here for them. Our campfires are much more fun though. Here everyone does not get to take part

It is a strange coincidence that a guy from Mumbai, Worli is also here. He is going back ’cause he has broken his knee cartilage. He knows Raj Kapadia, Naryan Bhai’s grandson very well. His name is Duggal, something. He was from Jai Hind too.

It is amazing how much respect Junior Officers get here. Any Captain or Lieutenant is like a King for us. There are officers from various regiments and all are very good. The JCOs are also varied and the drill Ustaads are real characters. They are always entertaining.

Hope things are fine at home

Bye,

Love

Nawang

PS The Zee TV program is called ‘Vijay Jyoti’ and it comes every Sunday morning (11:30 AM I think). I do not know when it will be aired.  But you can get a glimpse of the Academy. I think they have shot extensively here, but I do not know how much they will actually air . Otherwise maja . Send me Rs.3 stamps, as the ones sold out here are very ordinary but functional

Our weapon training instructor major KM Singh (SC) is from 6 Sikh, Aman’s. I have not planned to speak to him about it though. If I fire well I will speak to him!

Bye!!

Take care

Love

Nawang

How was the Darjeeling trip? Where did you go trekking? Good weather?

I have passed my firing test. We fired SLR (Self Loading Rifles) 7.62mm (diameter of the bullet) from Various positions (standing, laying, kneeling, supported/unsupported)

Various distances (25m, 50m, 100m, 200m)

Various times (day, night)

They usually pass all, but I passed in first attempt so that is better.

I reached the finals of the essay writing competition. In the finals 12 GC’s were selected. Topic was “Role of Society, Human Rights, Armed Forces in counter insurgency ops” . The results are not out yet

Any chances of Sonam coming here in Jan or so?

We are having major cross-country practice since the past week. Running 14-20 kilometers a day plus having firing the whole day. Firing also means PT mixed with it along with running.

We had an introduction to AK47 also but we shall not be firing them. The INSAS 5.56 mm is an identical copy of it made by DRDO. This too we shall not fire, but will get it in our own units. Now next we fire, LMG (light machine gun) and rocket launchers. This is all for first term.

I received both the parcels the next day after we spoke, without any problem. I have more than enough dry fruit, so no need to send them. Send me some bhel poori only. Only those crisp poories and whatever which don’t get absolutely smashed. Although more of the other things were damaged though

One of my roommates from Kerala, Dilip R. gets into major problems due to no knowledge of Hindi. He is very hard working but always in a mess. He comes from a very poor family and enjoys all the things he gets here. Then we were issued Nike shoes he was beaming with joy. Day of the new year party his eyes were wide open all throughout. He is very good fun though.

We finished our cross-country competition of 12.5 kilometers today. Now I do not know what competition is next. We shall have a company junior boxing event sometime soon. It is only to get us to be more aggressive and also take and give blows.

Any progress about the shop? It is high time something concrete comes up. Hope the stock is getting over that will be one headache less.

Hope Baba’s writing is coming along fine too.

Bye!

Love,

Nawang

PS send me Postal stamps 20-30

Firstly, I did not clear my Drill Square Test (DST) but I cleared my Turn Out Test. The Adjutant Major M Malhotra checks us in our uniform. Checks means scrutinizes. From our beret, shoulder flashes, uniform, belt, position of belt, shoes, shoelaces (most important), socks, folding of the socks, sole of the shoes, white handkerchief in the left pocket, clean plus iron. After passing this test no one can start the DST. Only 12 in my platoon passed the Turn Out Test and 2 the DST. There is no harm in not clearing the DST though. No relegation and suspension. Only thing is that we get extra drill (tiresome).

Otherwise on Sunday we had a feast at the golf course, open to public, celebrating Millennium Army Day plus OTA Foundation Day. They were games put up by cadets (all of us were helping), food stalls where we got all kachra + nasta, weapon display, including tanks. In fact, I was just seeing a weapon stall and young kids were very excited looking at the rifles and touching them. I guess I too started from there. Now I give them a demo in how to hold it explain points about it etc. There was also a sound and light show about the history of OTA + story of few of the gallantry award winners who passed out from OTA.

Good news Sonam is going to Singapore. I hope he can visit me before leaving from Chennai. I can definitely meet him in the evening on a working day for some time (unless there is a major falling in). Is he going only to Singapore or to other places as well? Who do we know in Singapore? For how many days? Anyone else also going? Did he finish with his bank exam? Hopefully, it means a promotion.

Ayee send me a letter from Bombay. We have to submit book reviews plus give a lecture too this term. Academics carry a lot of importance here.

Seniors are out on their final camp, “Shatrujeet”. On their return we shall give them a big party with food from outside . No drinks though. Drinks +  getting drunk is a serious offense and one of the Senior got relegated to our batch just a month ago. Sad but he had it coming. He will now pass out with us in September.

Weather here is excellent in the evenings and mornings. We are very lucky in this regard. I got a card from Brigadier Randhir and Chaudhry’s too. He has written that if I choose Gorkha, I should inform him. Long way to go before all that though. We shall now start training on the LMG (light machine gun). That shall end our first term weapons training. Lots of other activities to come though. In computers, we are doing MS Word etc so I am having a relaxed time in the AC room.

OK

All for now!!

Bye!

Love,

Nawang

I have signed all the 19 signs on the Citi form plus one more on the loose form, that should cover all.

The letstrek plan sounds good, and should now take off immediately. The book should be in its final stages by now I guess. Hope it has been written to your satisfaction. It should do well and have a large circulation.

Let me know when Sonam is leaving for Singapore etc. There is email etc open to us here but I did not have the time and money to check it out. Now I hope I can do it soon. I do not know how regular I will be with emails though. Dates for those leaves are not confirmed yet.

OK.

Take care!

Love

Nawang

I have just been credited Rs. 2000 in my account. We shall be given this as stipend every month, I think. All the things are very confusing. This is part of Rs. 8000 that we are entitled as stipend per month. The balance is given on passing out. Few deductions will be made from the salary though like Nike shoes (cost) will be cut and a few more items. Of course the expenses in the first term are quite high though. Buy shoes (three types), badges, beret, company color clothes, sachet etc. Now we have to get a proper uniform stitched in Raymond Trovin. The ones issued have been in cheaper cloth. Raymond Trovin uniform is known as number one DO (drill order). I will have to get one ordered soon

We are running a very busy schedule and even our weekly movie has not been a regular feature that means a lot, cause movie fall-ins usually take priority over all others.

Now all our physical training exams etc will start. I have problems in toe-touches. Which is not good these exams are important. Of course, we get lots of chances but if you fail in the first attempt your platoon commander will call you for special exercises every day until you clear it. I am making a chart to plan and clear this one remaining hurdle. It is a little worrying though. I am lucky I do not have a problem in swimming though. Lots of people are having major problems there. We are having a lot of tactics and other military subject classes nowadays. These are very interesting and very important. It is a good learning experience.

Hopefully Bai Mummy is fine and keeping all of you on your toes.

Love,

Nawang

We had a big party here for seniors once they came back from their final camp “Shatrujeet”. We ordered chicken from outside and had music and there was a very relaxed atmosphere. Training here is fine with few of our PT tests starting tomorrow. I still have problems in one test but there are lots of attempts to follow and I shall work hard and clear it in my second attempt.

Our platoon is getting to become a more cohesive unit and working better with each other. When is Sonam planning to go to Singapore? I have not got any news on that. He said over the phone that he has postponed it and will go there sometime in February. I hope I can meet him in Chennai when he comes here.

Our senior’s have to choose their regiments now and by the 25th of February or so they will be sanctioned their regiment according to vacancies.

Baba’s book’s manuscript might be ready and have left for England. How was it come out? Hope Baba is satisfied with it. I am sure it will do very well as a guide.

No confirmed dates for our leave. Our seniors will be leaving on the 4th of March. In most probability we shall leave only on 2nd April after finishing all our written tests plus our final first term camp “Nomad”. Nothing is confirmed .

The photograph has been taken at approximately 5:30 AM just before our fallen the dress is known as FSMO scale ‘B’ with rifle ie pouches which are in front, a small pack on the back 3-4 kgs, anklets, shoes and rifle which weighs 4.4 kgs. We have to run, crawl, jump in this dress. The tests in this dress are climb vertical rope, horizontal rope, 8 foot ditch jump and 60 meters Sprint. Good in all of them.

In the second term we have to run 5 kilometers in this dress that is the important one.

Bye

Nawang

In fact tomorrow is 30th January and I would have fasted otherwise but here missing a meal is an offence plus after all the exercise I get very hungry

Things are fine here otherwise.

Hope you receive the signed form.

More later

Love ,

Nawang

PS I received Ma’s letter today good to know Sonam is losing weight

You all did not call on Saturday. I was waiting for a long time on Saturday. OK.

Last week was very hectic with our tests etc. In the physical PPT tests I have cleared all in good or excellent except 1 – TOE TOUCHES. In this, I managed only three against minimum of four needed for passing. Not to worry though I will clear it in the second attempt which will be sometime in middle February. In swimming I cleared in excellent and also did my 2.4 kilometer run in good timing under 9.3 minutes. Also in my BPET tests too I climbed the Vertical Rope, Horizontal Rope, 8 foot ditch, and 60 meters run comfortably.

Surprisingly, the maximum number of failures are in swimming. The minimum for swimming is 25 meters and 50 meters for excellent. I did it in excellent. This is dangerous for those who failed cause access to swimming pool is limited and time never sufficient. PT failures can practice anytime they want, even do sit-ups in bed!

I have eaten lots of ice creams the last two weeks as the seniors were away on camp for firing.

Sad I could not meet or speak to Savita Maushi. Maybe on her return she can drop in if it is on the weekend. What about Sonam’s trip?

Narayanbhai’s grandson Raj’s friend is back at OTA but he will be leaving soon as he has a major leg injury and will be leaving the course . His name I forgot

It seems our holidays will be starting from the 4th of March for two weeks. We get concession for II class 3 tier sleeper and airfare (45%). No concession on IInd AC. Crazy.

The Academy Is getting a new look as the passing out parade is on the 4th of March.

Things are fine here. Hope you received my previous letters, forms and photographs . I will be needing money immediately to book my tickets. I do not know the price of the tickets but will find out what it becomes after concession.

Keep in touch. Call me whenever you can at 8:45-9:00 PM except Sunday. Sunday 9:30 PM

Love

Nawang

More confusion! Our midterm break dates are not at all sure. Few of our officers say one thing, the others, another. There has not been any ‘official’ confirmation about holiday dates and from the looks of it. It may be 2nd April. I would prefer 2nd April as we could be over with all our first term work and come back to join into the second term . If we get a break on 4th March then we come back and have a major camp almost immediately on our return and that will be tough!

I am making progress with my toe-touches and will be ready for the test soon. I do not foresee any problems in clearing it in my second attempt. I should have cleared it in my first attempt itself .

What is plank for Ma’s birthday? And what did you do for Sonam’s birthday. I hope you’ll had a yummy cake. At OTA for winning any competition the prize is always a cake for the Company. So, I have had a few cakes here since coming.

Our seniors had given their “choice of arms”  ie which Regiment or arm they want to join. ASC, Ordinance and Artillery are the most sought after arms. Most do not want infantry as their first choice, maybe because they do not want to work hard or because they do not like patrolling, moving in mountains, hills etc and interacting with a wide range of troops. I am of course going to opt only for infantry.

Please send me Rs. 1500 by money order immediately. With the passing out parade we have to buy new uniforms shoes plus new bedsheets for inspection by guests. Everything has to look good.

Any progress on the shop? What price are we getting?

Love

Nawang

When is Sonam’s next trip to Chennai? Is if he is coming ask him to get a small camera

Send me a small calendar. Pocket size . Here everything keeps getting lost.

I am making a list of things I need Sonam to get for me from Singapore, whenever he goes. Please send me money order of Rs. 1500 immediately.

Nawang

Last weekend we had a good 25 kilometer route March (although we mainly run). Basically we move as a platoon and follow a given route. There is no navigation to be done. We go out of the Academy, around the airport wall and in the outskirts of the city and return via the same route. The uniform is the same as in the photo. Given time was 3 hours 20 minutes we finished it in 3 hour 17 minutes to finish third . Our company overall finished first. This was not a race but everything is timed to avoid complacency and if we were very late it would mean punishments

Today we finished the BPT obstacle course. 10 obstacles inside 2 minutes I did them inside 1 minute and came in Excellent . There is no problem in any physical access physicals except toe-touches. The next retest will be soon and I shall be ready for it.

I spoke to Ayee too when I call you’ll up on Sunday. Hope things are fine with her too. Has Baba’s manuscript been sent? Jan and was the last date right.

I understand Deepak is now regular at playing cricket at the Pathan building on Sunday.

Morning, while we are doing PT etc our seniors are marching to various marching tunes including ‘Sare Jahan Say Accha’.

I am giving my  #1 Drill Order uniform for stitching which basically means uniform made of Raymond Trovin shade number 223. The current ones are of similar material but the shade varies a bit . Trovin material really looks good when made into a uniform.

Hope there are some more positive offers for the shop crossing the 40 lac mark. Something should materialize now. It would put an end to a lot of headaches and worries.

What are Baba’s dates for his first Mansarovar trip? My holidays should be from first April onwards.

There will be few farewell parties etc for seniors. They will get their units and regiments on the 27th there are 72 infantry seats, 37 artillery, 11 armored etc. Of course per infantry regiment that are only one or two seats 1 Gorka Rifles (1 seat), Kumaon (2 seats), Garwhal Rifles (3  seats), 3 Gorkha Rifles (one) etc. I have a long time before I finalize though.

Take care

Have fun

Love,

Nawang

Firstly, I have cleared my toe-touch exam and now I have PT tests left. That is one major hurdle crossed.

Our Academy exams of service subjects are going on. In map reading and radio-telephony have got over 70% marks. Other marks will follow.

We are currently having Cabin-cupboard state which basically means our cupboards have to be arranged uniformly in a set pattern, everything has to be very clean, knew OTA bed sheet and tablecloth. Shoes arranged in a particular fashion and of course, everything dusted and wiped. In all the rush it is difficult to maintain this state with no clothes/towels lying out for drying etc. Everything extra is dumped in the box room and it is at this time that things go missing. Hope I do not end up missing anything.

Any progress on the shop? And HBK’s book.

I will send you address of one senior who stays in Colaba. His parents are coming for the POP on 4 March. Send some mithai and snacks with them. Call them and speak to them and then see if it is possible. He said it is not a problem to send a small parcel. I will call up and give you their address and telephone. Mrinal is going to have some exam on 10th March so I guess he will be very busy studying . He wrote he would be going to USA by 23 March, so I guess I would not meet him for a long time then.

I have deposited the DD. The bank stays open only on two days here. So I shall get the money only on Friday. I have to repay a lot of debts plus pay for our seniors farewell memento, company fund etc. Nothing much though. All senior get a free credit card from Citibank for a year on Commission.  I hope you receive the credit card too. Things are fine and now we are getting ready for our senior PoP and Camp Nomad!

Take care love

Nawang

I just have had not had the time to post this letter. I am busy helping our Music and Dramatic club for a entertainment program for seniors and their parents.

We saw the PoP today. We shall not get to see it on the actual day and have to be confined to our barracks. Everything is fine

Love

Nawang

March 2 2000

Today I received HBK’s copy of Brigadier Randir Sinh’s letter. It is fantastic news. Gorkhas is my first choice and hope things workout fine when I have to choose my regiment.

Our seniors have passed out and Academy is empty without them. It was overflowing with their parents and guests for the past 2-3 days. There was an entertainment program, dinner for the parents and guests before the PoP and also breakfast on the day of the PoP. The PoP went well without any problems.

Now the complete attention of all the officers will focus on us. We shall have to be extra careful in all our activities and behavior and also in turn out and dressing.

Hope the forms with my sign have reached safely and on time.

Take care!

Love

Nawang

PS: Ask Sheila Maushi if she can send a trunk to Bombay, if it is in good condition

Love

Nawang

Not heard from you’ll. Sonam came at the right time as things were relaxed after the PoP. I managed to show him around a part of the Academy. Now we have finished most of our lecture subjects. We have classes only on ‘Tactics’ and ‘Weapons Training’ these are as our AQ (Adjutant and Quartermaster) Capt. Babu would say “our bread and butter”. It is also what we shall be doing in camp nomad.

Weather here is getting hot and sultry. I have started religiously eating fruit daily, so things are fine. We have started getting major cases of dehydration and fever after PT and Drill.

I got a letter from Veen Phui. She wrote asking about the training etc. I managed to read India Today last week and saw major ads of “India Infoline” all over the magazine. I think Baba has really got into the best field and most important with the best people!

I shall definitely inform Brigadier Randhir Sinh when I make my final choice of arms that will happen in August after our final camp “Shatrujeet”. A lot of work has to be done before that though.

Hope Bai mummy is keeping good health and is in high spirits.

I shall come to Mumbai on Saturday 1st April or Sunday 2nd April. Holidays start from 3rd April till 17th (reporting).

There is another Parsi from Bombay Central at OTA whenever you go Parsi are always there. Amazing!

More later!

Love

Nawang

The training is going on fine. We have been training for our March and Shoot competition since the past two weeks. In this event we have to run 5 kilometers with our rifle, then cross 9 obstacles and finally fire 5 rounds on a target 25 meters away. This competition is carved out company wise and we shall know the results this weekend.

Juniors have started coming in and now The Academy is full of life once again. There are very few guys from Mumbai as yet. This course is coming in batches by batches . There are a few cadets coming in every few days.

When are y’all planning to come to Chennai? Please confirm with me ’cause we shall be going

Nawang

This is our daily morning prayer.

Muster

Oh God! Help us

To keep ourselves

Physically fit,

Mentally awake

And morally straight.

So that in doing our duty,

To Thee and to the Nation,

We may keep the Honour

Of our Country untarnished

Strengthen us, to guard our Nation

Against external aggression

And internal disorder!

Jai Hind!

How are things with you all? I have just recovered from a two day viral fever. It happened last Monday. I felt very, very weak. I was given three days complete bed rest and spend all the days sleeping and resting. I have recovered well and I’m normal now. In fact I also went for our Sunday 5 kilometer run and ran the whole route in BPET gear. This is the best fitness certificate in the army. Equal to Baba going on a good 3-4 day overnight hike in Sahayadris.

The weather is now stabilizing and it is not as hot as two weeks ago. Rains are yet to arrive though. We have not had an out pass last Sunday but will surely be getting one this Sunday. My company won the basketball competition and all our officers unhappy with us.

Our Bangalore dates should be around the 8-9 of June. The next weekend if convenient you should try and come . On Saturday evenings you can come and meet me in the Academy for a few hours in the evening , although cadets and officers will be around on Saturday, you will not get to see a lot of the Academy . On Sunday we can spend more time around the Academy and also go. You will arrange Pondicherry as is convenient to you.

What is happening with Sonam and his search for a new job? I hope he gets into an organization of his choice with a higher salary. What course is he trying to get into as another option?

Our shop has reached a dead block once again. What steps to be taken next? Hope things workout for the better

OK then

Take care!

Nawang

Things are fine with me we shall be having our tests next week. I am set for them . The biggest test is the 5 kilometer BPET run. This has to be completed inside 28 minutes for passing and inside 25 minutes for an Excellent timing. Our dates for Bangalore are not yet fixed. Here getting advance information is impossible.

We have been issued with an Indian army Citibank credit card. It is free for the first year and costs Rs. 350 then on. It has Indian army written on it and also the army symbol of two crossed swords and the three lines. We can use it in our canteen and it will debit the money from our accounts here directly.

So what have you decided about Raymonds and the payment due to them? I am sure they will be getting impatient now. Maybe we should sell shares and settle them and sell the shop as and when it happens. Hope things workout soon.

Take care

Bye

Nawang

We had our drill competition today. Our company did well. We shall know our results on Saturday. This is to be the last competition we have as a course and we hope we have done well. Next week we shall have Interior Economy. Which is a big pain! In this competition the cleanliness and interiors of our barracks are checked. Our cupboards have to have only a specifically arranged pattern of things and all equipment and shoes have to be shining! In the Academy it is well known “drill and cabin cupboard can never be good enough” so we have to always take it with a pinch of salt.

I now have a green belt in karate. We had a test for it and I passed it.

I knew of Reshma’s results when I called them last week. She also emails me weekly. I have not had any email from you since HBK left

For the PoP, you want to consider the hotel which is in the ‘Mylapor’ and ‘Cathedral Road’. This is quite centrally located and easy one hour from OTA. I suggest you hire a cab on the day of the PoP and come in half an hour earlier than the rest. Most will be coming by the transport provided by the Academy, so better if you come earlier by cab and keep it hired for the whole day if reasonable and then I can put my luggage in it too and then we can leave. You can meet me on the 30th when you will arrive . Hope Bai Mummy is keeping well

I tried calling up Sanjay Kaka but no one was picking up. What are they going to do with the Kalbadevi house? It is good they are moving out though.

I shall know my Regiment on the 26th of August. I will call up on early morning 27 because it will be impossible to call up before that. I hope I get GR (Gorkha Rifles) though I will be satisfied with any Infantry unit!

Love,

Nawang

I am fine here and I’m learning things about the functioning of an Infantry Battalion. There is, of course a lot of army presence here. Right from Jammu we moved in a convoy, which basically has 10-15 vehicles. At the Jammu transit camp it is cool and we are allowed out till late. Jammu town is great and if I had more time it would be enjoyable. I had dinner at Brigadier Randhir Sinh’s house. His wife was also there and I met her for the first time. He should be leaving Jammu on posting to Delhi. He will be going by Feb-March I think.

Captain Abhay Sinh was here for the first 2 days that I was here. He is now at the post. We have one post to man otherwise we are all in the camp. The post is around 4-5 hours away from the camp.

My commanding officer is Colonel Rana

In my SCC & HSC  school certificate my name is given as ‘Kapadia Nawang Harish’ which is so even in my ID card. So the abbreviation of course comes K. N. Harish!!

I have opened an account at Almora, but have given my Mumbai SBI account number for my pay . You will then have to send the money to me. This is a lot later though. Here there would not be much of expense here except phone calls and 400-500 mess bill etc.

The facilities here are fine and I am quite comfortable. There are my course-mates around here and I have met a few including one of my instructors from OTA, Captain Amitabh Jha, he too is from Gorkha Rifles but another one 1/4

HBK would be leaving or would have left by the time this letter reaches.

Any news of SHK? I am sure he will have a good time in the US and in UK.

In Delhi I met Aman, Anjali and their daughter (I forgot her name) who is a year old.

Hope you will have a good Diwali!

Take care!

Bye!

Love,

Nawang

How are you? Twice I called up and finally spoke to Baba. He should be off on his trip by now. Sonam, I am sure had a good time in the US and UK.

We shall be on the move for the next week or so, so I might not be able to get in touch with you. We will be around Srinagar now for a week or so I think. It is a routine job.

All the Senior Officers are very helpful and cheerful. Everyone is usually always on the move. Every evening we go to the Mess for dinner where if our Commanding Officer is there we are there till midnight! Only then do we go back to sleep. We are either watching TV (few channels) or talking.

How is Bai Mummy? Baba told me she had a little fall. I am sure she will now be eating your head more than ever and constantly cribbing . Hope it is nothing too bad

OK then

Take care!

Love

Nawang

We continue our tour of Kashmir. We shall now be moving to a new location once again. Our unit does not have a very permanent location and we keep moving from one location to another. Now we shall be moving once again. It is getting cold here, especially the nights, but it is comfortable once the sun rises.

This is nearing the end of the Apple season, so I have not got too many apples to eat, but whatever I have got have been very juicy and sweet. When I come to Bombay I will get almonds, walnuts and saffron. They are of very good quality here. In fact, a lot of officers are also making furniture for themselves here. Our mess furniture is also being made new from here. Did you get the new dining table plus chair for the house?

Sonam should be back from US + UK did he have a good time, with work and friends? My pay will take another two months to be credited to my account. All my paperwork is finished and I do not think anything of my personal documentation is left . The few expense here is of telephone calls plus monthly mess bills of food and alcohol which shall be around ₹ 300-400 or less I guess everything is fine here

Hope Bai Mummy is fine and eating well

Take care

Bye!

Love

Nawang

I am fine and I’m constantly moving around with my battalion.

Sonam and Savita Maushi should be in Mumbai now . How was Sonam’s trip? Hope he had a good time and also hope the trip helps to enhance his career.

I received 2 letters from you and also the paper clips + Diwali card that you had had sent. Here on Diwali  we had a little mela.

It is now getting cold here and moving out at night is bad. I have a good jacket though but it becomes quite bulky. Who have you sent the packet of sweets with? If he is from 4/3GR or 1/4 GR then I will easily receive it. Otherwise it may take some time to get it but will not be any problem as long as he is in this area .

I am off for a few days now. It is like going for 2-3 day hikes and then back to camp once again.

All is fine.

Bye

Love

Nawang

I had called up yesterday but did not get to speak to any of you . I will try and call again some other time. I am fine and am now learning “Jhamre” dance which is essential in our battalion. It consists of various types of uthak – baithak but with a little difference.

I learned from Arif that Sonam has put on weight from his trip to US. Too much of good food and drinks? Start exercising again, the weather in Mumbai will be getting pleasant now and that is always a good time to exercise. What did Sonam get from US? Lots of chocolates and any other interesting stuff?

A few officers I met here had read HBk’s books. In fact, our 2IC (second in command) had corresponded with him in 1991 when 4/3 went to climb Panchachuli. Another officer whom I met at a party had also heard of HBK.

Savita Maushi should be in Mumbai. What is she going to do this time? Any new auction or exhibitions?

OK then take care!

Bye!

Love

I received your letter yesterday. We shall be leaving the Valley in January. That is the news as of today and moving to Almora from here. I am Sonam and Savita Maushi will both have lots of stories to tell .

I knew Sachin was planning to settle in the US but I did not think it would happen so soon. Good for him. So what are the rest of them saying?

Good that Baimummy is fine and back to normal again. What news of Ayee? She will now be alone again in Goa. How does Shekharmasa like his job? Does he stay in Mumbai or on location at Lonavala?

I do not get much of fish here. I guess I will have to wait till I get back to Mumbai.

New nine this is all for now.

Give my love to Savita Maushi!

Bye!

Love,

Nawang