REGIMENTAL SONGS

Message from Col GKS Reddy, 6 Assam and Ex – CO 12 Assam

1. We had Sub Gnula Mhar in 6 Assam. After Recruit Training, he was allotted to 6 Assam and retained in Centre Football team.

He reported to the unit for the first time at Meerut in 1979, as a Substantive Subedar. 

Unit went for a Bde level Exercise at Gangadhar Ranges. Lt Gen Ranbir, who was then Commanding 32 Inf Bde was to visit the unit. He was very fond of hearing the Pl CDRs briefing.

All pl CDRs including Sub Gnula Mhar were made to practice the briefing by my Coy CDR then Maj Narayan Thapa. Since Sub Gnula Mhar was not very confident, I as the company Officer made him practice for some more time after the Coy CDR left.

On the day of CDRs visit, things were okay till it came to the turn of Sub Gnula Mhar. He smartly saluted the CDR and asked for permission to start. After saying ‘Samne Dekh’, he couldn’t move any further. After about half a minute or so, he again saluted the CDR and told him – Tagra Raho Shriman, Mushe yeh Gaana Nahi aata.

2. While 6 Assam was in Raipur, old Akhnoor road, Jammu from 1975 to 1978, we used to have Annual FD Firing at Ismailpur Ranges near Bari Brahmana.

During one such FD Firing, after the Firing for the day was Completed, Late Lt Col Rai Singh, then a Capt, went into the ranges for Shikar.

By evening, he came back with a Wild goat, which was cut and distributed in equal quantities to all companies. We enjoyed the wild goat meat in Offrs Mess as well.

The next day the villagers came looking for their missing Saand (Male goat for breeding). Capt Rai Singh immediately took precautionary measures to get all the parts like skin and Head buried.

Since the villagers were enquiring with the Jawans, Capt Rai Singh told them to say that he shot a Deer the previous day.

When they came to the Field Offrs Mess, the Mess waiter Vihito Angami told them – Lagta Hain Saab ne Bakra Mara, lekin Capt Saab bolta Hain Woh Hiran Hain. Phir Hiran hi Hoga.

We had a rough time passifying and compensating the villagers.

3. I took my unit 12 Assam from Nasirabad to Tangdhar Kupwara District in 1996 and deployed in Richmar Salient.

Col MB Pun, then a Major, reported back to us from NSG. I sent him to Charlie Coy (Garhwalis), deployed in High Altitude area about 04 hours from the road head.

I went to visit the company. After visiting all the platoons spent the night in the company and started back for the BN HQ next morning. Maj Pun was accompanying me till his lower pl.

As we were coming down, we saw an NCO briefing his party, who were to go down to the BN HQ. Maj Pun stopped to brief the party about safety in handling personal weapons, as there had been number of accidental firing in the Bde sect.

I went about 10 yards and stopped for him. He was briefing them about correct Bhar and Khalikar drill. After doing Khalikar, he pointed the barrel towards the ground and pressed the trigger. There was a boom and he almost shot into his foot.

Thereafter, I used to always pull his leg, asking him to give a safety demo to the BN.

4. I remember another incident at Raipur, Jammu, when 6 Assam moved to Meerut sometime in Jun 1978 and I was left behind as  OC Rear along with about 40 boys to hand over the balance equipment especially MT to 10 Mahar, the relieving unit.

MT park area was kept by us and our boys were staying in the MT park itself. 

One day SEP Hokuga Sema, a short Naga driver was bathing at Adm Coy bathing point. A burly and tall khalsa from 10 Mahar, asked Hokuga Sema to get aside, as the bathing point has been handed over to them.

When he refused to move out from the bathing point, the khalsa physically lifted Hokuga Sema and put him aside and started bathing.

Hokuga went back to MT park, picked up his dah and ran back to bathing point to sort out the khalsa.

It was a sight to see a pidly Naga chasing the Burly khalsa with a Dah through the Adm coy lines and the khalsa running for his life.

The chase came to an end on seeing Brig Surinder Singh of Kargil fame, who was then QM 10 Mahar as a Capt.

5. This incident was told to me by my Coy Cdr, Maj Gurdev Singh Padda, who was Adm coy Cdr in Meerut and I was the MTO.

The incident pertains to 1969 or 1970, when the unit was in Ramgarh.

Unit had gone for a short Def Excercise. Then Maj MS Behl was offg CO, as Col DB Mal got posted out without relief. Maj Jag Mohan was offg 2 i/c, Maj Hatwal was D Coy Cdr and 2 Lt Gurdev Singh Padda of SS-7 was IO.

During the day, the depl of the Bn, right up to Rif Trenches were discussed and marking Completed. The digging of the trenches commenced after last light.

At about 0100h or so, when the Offg CO was taking rest, Maj Jag Mohan offg 2 i/c decided to go for a round of the defences along with the IO.

After going around all the Company defences and bullying them for unsatisfactory progress of the digging, they stopped in D Coy Def Loc for a break and soon Maj Jag Mohan started snoring.

Maj Hatwal, D Coy Cdr, who was checking his coy Def’s, suddenly heard the snoring in his Coy, got furious – saying – Bha……, Abhi Abhi 2i/c Saab ne thik  digging Karne Ka batake Gaya, and gave a solid kick on the backside of the person snoring.

To his horror, he realised that he just kicked the 2 I/c and profusely apologised to him.

The way it was narrated by Maj Gurdev Singh Padda was very humorous.

6. When I joined 6 Assam in Jammu, I used to hear lot of anecdotes from my seniors. One such anecdote was

We had an offr, Capt BK Ghosh, QM, popularly known as Kalu Ghosh in the unit as he was of dark complexion. He was very fond of using cosmetics like talcum powder, various creams like Nevea etc.

Late Maj NM Pradhan, who was also staying in Bachelors tented colony used to go to Capt Ghosh’s tent after he left for office and use his cosmetics.

One day Capt Ghosh realised that his cosmetics were disappearing faster than they normally should.

So, before going to office, he instructed his Naga helper to catch any body who enters the tent for using the cosmetics.

As usual Maj Pradhan entered the tent as soon as Capt Ghosh left for office.

The Naga boy who was waiting in Ambush nearby, came and stood at the entrance of the tent with the Dah in his hand.

When Maj Pradhan tried to leave the tent after using the cosmetics, the boy blocked his way and threatened to chop him with the Dah, if he tries to force his way, as his Capt Saab ordered him to catch anyone who enters the tent.

Maj Pradhan was forced to stay in the tent till Capt Ghosh came back from the office for lunch.

7. When 6 Assam was in Binaguri, annual FD Firing camps used to be conducted at Teesta FD Firing Ranges near Bagrakote.

During one such camp, GOC 20 Div was to visit the camp.

Fire and Move of two coys up in assault formation moving from FUP to obj 500 mtrs away was practiced the previous day.

On the day of GOC visit, both forward coys were issued 100 rounds each and standing in extended line at the FUP, waiting for GOC’s arr. CO was waiting at the entry of the Ranges to receive the GOC.

Suddenly all hell broke loose at the FUP,  when a deer came running from the left and the Rhinos instinctively opened fire.

In spite of about 100 plus boys firing, the deer effortlessly floated from left to right and disappeared into the ranges.

Adjt and the coy CDRs had a rough time, bringing up the rear coys, just in time before GOC’s arr. And the visit went off well.

8. As narrated in the offrs mess by the seniors

While 6 Assam was in Binaguri, a Bde level Exercise was being conducted probably in Teesta Ranges (I can’t recollect the exact place, then narrated).

GOC 20 Div was visiting the units in the exercise area. It was evening by the time GOC Completed the round of 6 Assam defs.

Since it was late evening, the CO requested the GOC to have a drink in the FD Mess.

As the GOC was enjoying his drink in the mess, probably a Naga or a Mizo boy barged into the mess, carrying a Bamboo in one hand and a Dah in the other.

He walked straight to the GOC and ordered the GOC to – Khade Hojao saab. Before the GOC and other offrs could recover from the shock, the boy marked the height of the GOC on the bamboo and disappeared.

It subsequently transpired that, the Sub Maj in his own wisdom tasked the boy to make a Bamboo bed for the GOC, should he decide to stay for the night after dinner. And the boy went to measure the height of GOC to ensure correct size of the bed.

9. While in Jammu from 1975 to 1978, 6 Assam was under 100% tented accommodation.

Store tents were used for offrs mess, JCO mess and CO residence. And EPIP tents for CO, 2 i/c and other main offices.

CO Lt Col BS Bhalla used to be very fond of the beautiful flower bed in front of his EPIP Tented office.

Late Col Choturam Ahlawat of SS – 8, was then a Capt, referred by his seniors as just – CHOTU, a misleading name, as he was 6 ft plus, approx 2 1/2 ft wide with a matching moustache.

 His shoe size was 13, an abnormal size. He used to get his shoes made on order from a factory in Kanpur.

One day Col Bhalla asked for Capt Chotu to meet him in his office. When he reached there, he found the CO standing outside his office.

Without realising, Capt Chotu walked through the flower bed and saluted the CO. Horrified, Col Bhalla shouted – Chotu you have ruined my flower bed.

Capt Chotu apologised to him and instinctively moved back through the flower bed again. Col Bhalla could do nothing but to hold his head in exasperation.

10. While in Jammu, the Op area of 6 Assam was on DCB at Khaur near Ramgarh.

Two coys were depl on the main DCB, Alfa Coy was depl as Screen at a place known as Jerara (If I am not wrong), about a KM ahead of the DCB. And the fourth coy was depl in Depth. I, as the IO was located in Tac HQ on the DCB.

During Bde Ex on DCB, Col BS Bhalla was taking all OK report from the Coy Cdrs. Since he couldn’t get through to screen coy Cdr Maj DS Rai on line and Radio Comn was prohibited, Sig pl lineman L/Nk T Lunkhopao Simte was sent to check the line to screen coy.

After about half an hour or so, there was a ring and when I picked up, it was Lunkhopao on the line and informed me that the line was broken by a tractor driver, while ploughing the field

Col Bhalla took the phone from me and asked Lunkhopao – kya us Aadmi ki pakra hain. Lunkhopao promptly replied – Saab Woh Aadmi Nahi Hain Saldalji Hain.

Col Bhalla lost his shirt and shouted – Saldalji Ka baccha, kaam Pura Karke  Tac HQ mein report Karo.

11. Preparations were in full swing for the Raising Day Celebrations 1977 at Jammu

Sub Vumkosat Misao of Delta Coy was incharge of erection of stage for cultural program including Raising Day Rhino.

On the final dress rehearsal day, when JCO and OR families were attending, there was a furore, as the Raising Day Rhino had a huge tool fixed underneath.

It subsequently transpired that, while checking the arrangements the day before,  Col GD Raj, who was then Commanding D Coy probably felt the Rhino was not looking strong enough.

So, he asked Sub Vumkosat to make a Maradwala Rhino (Meaning tagra Rhino). But Sub Vumkosat understood it otherwise.

12. Col Baldev Singh Bhalla, CO used to be very fond of driving his Willy’s Jeep at very high speeds through the busy roads of Jammu, in fact it was very scary to sit in his vehicle. But I had no option, as I was his IO.

His driver was L/Nk Sabliana Lushai, a short, fair looking Mizo with Chubby cheeks. Known in MT pl as Glasgow Baby, a good and cautious driver.

One day we were going to Op area, CO, self, Sabliana and Sub Maj Tankeshwar Deka (If I am not wrong.).

As usual, Col Bhalla was driving the Jeep at 90 to 95 Kms speed, on Jammu Pathankot highway and it was quite scary.

After completing the work in Op area, we came back to the highway and stopped at a Dhaba to clean ourselves of  the dust and sweat.

As soon as we came out of the Dhaba, Sabliana surprised us by jumping into the Driver’s seat and refusing to Budge even at threats by CO and Sub Maj, telling the CO – Aap bahut Dar Khilata Hain, main drive karunga.

Col Bhalla very reluctantly sat in the co driver’s seat, as by then a number of people gathered to see the Tamasha. No prizes for guessing the consequences for Sabliana.

13. I was on Pre- YO course attachment with ARC, immediately after my commission in June 1975. I was allotted to C Trg Coy, being commanded by Col RV Subrahmanyam, then a Major.

A fresh Recruit Training batch was being formed up and recruits were trickling in from different states of NE.

One day I was sitting in the offrs mess, when I received a message from my Coy Cdr, to receive a batch of recruits who landed up from Mizoram

I went to the Coy and found a group of 05 or 06 young Mizo boys. Tasked the CHM to send them to the barber shop and take them for lunch thereafter.

Then went to coy dining hall to tell the langar cdr to ensure sufficient food for Six boys.

After an hour or so, I went back to the dining hall to ensure that the boys get proper food, as it was past lunch time.

When I reached there, I found the boys sitting with empty plates and the cook who bought Dal and sabji was asking them as to where are the Rotis. One of the boys told him, Hindi Nahin.

On being told that the Rotis were missing by the time, he got the Dal and sabji from the cookhouse, I asked the cook to get some more Rotis, as they may have eaten them.

When they saw the cook bringing the Rotis, suddenly their faces brightened up and they pulled out the previous Rotis from underneath their bottoms. They were actually sitting on the Rotis.

14. Incident as narrated to me by my Coy Cdr Late Maj Gurdev Singh.

6 Assam, as part of 165 Bde had moved to Gen area Balurghat, just before 71 war. Brig Pannu was the Commander.

2/Lt Choturam Ahlawat (popularly known as Chotu) was attached to Bde HQ and he was accompanying the Cdr, as his personal staff offr.

One day, Brig Pannu went round the units and after lunch, he told Chotu – Chotu, I will have a Siesta and retired to his room.

2/Lt Chotu was in a predicament. He went to the unit, which was located nearby and asked Lt Gurdev Singh Padda, as to from where he can obtain Siesta for the Cdr.

Lt Gurdev, decided to pull his leg and asked him to look in the medical shops.

After going around a number of Medical shops for more than an hour, he very reluctantly went back to inform the Cdr, that he couldn’t get Siesta anywhere, in spite of best efforts.

On hearing it, Cdr gave a broad smile.

15. As narrated by the seniors in Offrs Mess.

While in Ramgarh, 6 Assam had gone for a Def Ex. Orders were to just mark the trenches and not to cause damage to the agricultural lands by digging.

One of the Coys was depl about 100 mtrs behind a Sugarcane field. Since there were no landmarks in front, the Sec Cdrs marked their areas of responsibility with coloured flags for briefing.

Bde cdr, while going round the defs, saw a Tribal NCO standing behind his Sec, without any flags in front.

Out of curiosity, cdr asked the NCO to indicate his area of responsibility. The NCO started by saying – Saamne Dekh, keth Ka beech mein ek ganna Ka ped, aam rukh. Tora baen  Dekh,  3 degree, 150 Gaz, dusra ganna Ka ped.

At this cdr got irritated and shouted – kya ganna Ka ped bolte rahta Hain. The NCO very calmly told the CDR – Kyon gussa hota Hain saab. Nahi dekha Hain to, sikhlai Ka mutabiq – Not Seen bolo na.

16. 6 Assam moved from Meerut to Chumathang in Ladhah in 1981. Col Gurdip was the CO.

One day, while going round the unit lines, he caught his RP NCO, Nk Kesang Wangchoo, a Bhutia from Tawang in a compromising position with a local girl from the village.

When the CO slapped the NCO, the girl was furious, came between Kesang and CO and asked why he was hitting Kesang, when they are in love with each other.

Thereupon, Col Gurdip became the Dharma Pita of Kesang Wangchoo, spoke to her parents and got them married in unit lines as per Buddhist rites. And the NCO was given permission for outliving. The girl accompanied the unit to Lucknow.

17. While in Chumathang, I was Commanding A Coy, which was located in Loma Garrison, as Bde screen coy.

Coy less 2 pls was depl in Loma. One pl was depl at Loma Ferry and the third pl was depl at Tara post, about 6 Kms away from the Coy, guarding the Rezang La pass of 1962 fame.

During the winter of 1982, the snow fall was quite heavy and Tara post was cut off from rest of the coy.

Col Gurdip came to visit the Coy. After going round Loma and Loma Ferry Def’s, he was hell bent on visiting Tara post.

Though the snow had slightly hardened, we had to drive the Jonga in 4 by 4 First Gear. We reached the post with great difficulty.

We were received by Sub Chiku  Lakher, pl cdr at Chaga Village, just below the post and we walked up.

On reaching the post, Col Gurdip was furious, when he came to know that, during heavy snow fall, the boys burnt 07 MES wooden charpoys to keep themselves warm, as there was shortage of K oil.

Sub Chiku Lakher asked the CO, Kyon gussa hota Hain saab, Jawanon Ka Chutad garam rakhna to Hain.

18. Since 12 Assam was a Mixed unit, CO made a local rule that, No Coy Cdr will comd his own Regt tps.

So, Col RBS Anand, who bought the Jak Rif Coy (Dogra Group), was posted as Alfa Coy Cdr (NE Group). 

Unit which was located in Gacham, moved out for, Attack in Mountains Ex. During the Ex, rear JCO of A Coy informed the coy Cdr, that 04 SLRs were missing from the Coy Kote. 

Maj Anand was in a flap and informed the CO about it. Col JS Antal, who was used to such shocks, very calmly asked Maj Anand to go to the rear and sort out the problem.

After 2 days of checking All the documents and enquiring with various people, he realised that, the 04 SLRs were with the GOCs Guard. 

The Kote NCO noted down on a separate paper, forgot to enter in Kote Register and went on leave.

19. During Op Falcon, when 12 Assam was depl in Lungrola, I was Commanding C Coy (Garh Group) depl on Jaya Fort.

Maj Gen Dutt, GOC 5 Div, just took over from Maj Gen JM Singh and visiting the forward defs for familiarisation.

One day I got the message from BN HQ, that GOC would be visiting my coy, the next day.

On the day of the visit, I checked all the bunkers and went to Coy HQ loc to receive the GOC.

As I was standing there with my Senior JCO, GOCs Riding mule appeared on the horizon followed by Brig Bhupi Malik CDR, Col JS Antal CO, Col JAT Varma Col GS (later Lt Gen and Eastern Army CDR) and finally Maj Goswamy Mule coy Cdr, all on foot.

When they neared my loc, it was quite amusing to see GOCs Flag on the Mule’s head, 02 stars on the forehead and 2 stars on the Rear.

20. During Op Falcon, 12 Assam was ordered to move up from Gacham to Lungrola immediately without acclamatisation, to deny Lungrola and the spurs emanating from the ridge towards Sumdo Rong to the enemy.  

Nearest Roadhead was Sungetsar, about 10 Kms from Lungrola. We had to manpack and carry All the loads like rations, ammunition and Def stores from Sungetsar to Lungrola.

Finally a coy of GS mules were allotted to the unit, but the Euphoria was short-lived. After the first snowfall in Oct, Sungetsar slope became very slippery. Two mules slipped and rolled down to Sungetsar lake with in a span of one week and had to be shot.

The mule coy was immediately withdrawn and it came back to good old manpack.

A few days after that, CO along with some offrs was walking down from Sungetsar to Lungrola and we came across a group of Thambi boys having their lunch at Takshem Gompa.

When they saw us, they all wished the CO, except one Thambi SEP Bhoominathan who was quietly having his lunch. CO noticed it and asked –  kya huwa Bhoominathan, Tagra Nahi Hain?

He replied – Tagra to Hain saab, Lekin kya Hain, fauj ne hamko khacchar se bhi downgrade Kar Diya.

21. 12 Assam was celebrating Raising Day at Gacham in Feb 1986.

Guests were invited from all the local units incl MH Tenga.

On the day of the Raising Day party, various responsibilities were assigned to all the offrs.

Col AK Rai, then OC HQ coy was given the responsibility to receive the guests at the entry gate.

As the MNS Offrs, lead by their Matron arrived, Maj AK Rai wished her Tagra Raho. Matron, who was a little obese created a Scene by refusing to enter the unit, as she felt that, Maj Rai tried to make fun of her overweight, by telling her to – Tagra Raho.

It took some time to convince her that, it was our Regtl salutation and nothing to do with her overweight.

22. 12 Assam just moved to Kota in the summer of 1988 and was in the process of settling down.

There was confusion in implementing of Bn orders on one or two occasions, due to the Coy line orderlies especially Kappus and Thambis getting confused with the names of the offrs.

We had Maj AK Rai, Capt AK Roy, Capt SN Rai and Lt SR Roy in the unit.

One day, the line orderlies were waiting outside SAs office for the orders. SEP Jagat Reddy, who recently changed from Adjt Office runner to SP Coy line orderly was overheard commenting – Pata Nahin fauj Kaha Kaha se ek hi naam Ka offrs ko ikatha Kiya Hain, hamara Jaan Kane ke liye.

23. 6 Assam was in Jammu, on old Akhnoor Road. Late Col SAM Gatphoh, was one of the Coy Cdrs and was staying with family.

One day, he organised a party in the offrs mess and invited all unit offrs and Bde Cdr and staff with families.

After lots of dancing and drinks, finally Dinner was laid out. As the ladies were having their food, Mrs Gatphoh was going around looking after the Guests.  

Probably she noticed some ladies with very less food in their plates. So suddenly she said – Khav Khav, khub Khav, Sharam bhi Nahi, Apna hi Gorh.

There was total silence for a while, before Lt Gen Pradhan, then a Capt burst out laughing.

24. On completion of Raising, 12 Assam moved from Shillong to Gacham in Arunachal Pradesh.

Since the unit was of Mixed Class composition, the immediate challenge was to integrate the troops of all the four groups, develop comraderie, esprit de corps and team spirit.

The challenge was more pronounced in SP Coy, which comprised of 25% troops from each Group.

Col AK Rai, who was then Commanding SP Coy, used to hold long conferences of JCOs and NCOs to drive in, the need for integration and development of team spirit and esprit de corps.

One day, he was bullying his Pioneer JCO, Late Sub Lalmona Lushai, for not completing a given task on time.

After some time, Sub Lalmona tells him – Tagra Raho Saab, main, ya to Aap Ka conference attend Kar Sakta Hun ya Company Ka kaam Kar Sakta Hun. Donon kaam ikatha Karna Mera bas Ka baat Nahi.

25. As narrated by Col VS Sharawat, 12 Assam Regt.

Unit was in Delhi and I was performing the duties of both Adjutant and Offg Mess Secy. I tasked Lt Tarun Raj Kumar, a Manipuri youngster to organise dinner function in the Offrs Mess.

At around 2 PM, he phoned me,  to come and check the arrangements. On reaching he greeted me and asked the barman – Saab ke liye beer lao.

I said beer toh theek hai…first show me what you have done. To which he promptly replied…”Sir Mess walon ne aesi ki teisi kar di !!”.

On going around I found all arngs were done elaborately, infact better than the previous set up.

While having beer with him….I realised that, what he wanted to convey was….” Sir jaise pehle org kiya tha…waise hi arngs kiya hai”. Manipuri Hindi problem!!!

26. While 6 Assam was in Meerut, I got married and my wife joined me a month or so after the marriage.

Sep Santi Ao was my helper. One day Sep Santi Ao didn’t turn up in the morning. A little later, another boy came to prepare my uniform and told me that Sep Santi Ao met with a cycle accident, while coming to my house.

After reaching the office, I went to coy lines to look up Santi Ao. He was okay except for a swollen ankle, due to sprain.

I asked him as to how he fell down. He said – Saab my cycle per aapka Ghar aaraha tha. Hawa Aaya aur achanak Mera ankh mein Zamin ghus Gaya aur main gir Gaya.