Episode 18:First Commanding Officer of Towering Twenty. 1. First of March 1976 was the first time that I saw and met Lt Col Manmohan Singh Vasir, CO designated to raise 20 Sikh at Ramgarh Cantt then in Bihar, now Jharkhand. Nearly six feet tall, slim, exuding fitness of mind and body, he had a warm welcoming smile and an equally warm handshake. His slim frame was a power house of energy, agility and speed his forte. In true Sikh Regt tradition his handsome face was highlighted with a well groomed beard encased in a net and his turban showed each fold distinctly . His long slim arms and legs wore witness to his basketball talent. In immaculate turnout with regimental accoutrements he welcomed us with a warm handshake on the morning of 01 March 76 the date set for the birth of 20 Sikh Regimet. Us the team just arrived from Patiala included Maj & Mrs Chahal, self , two JCOs and 31 OR from 1 Sikh. After the Devine blessings at the Gurdwara, col Vasir unfurled the Unit Regimental flag in the presence of about 15 Officers and 250 other ranks, some here to constitute the new unit others to witness the delivery of the new born. It was during the tea that followed that I got to speak to the CO. He came across as an extremely open, understanding, warm and genuine in his conversation. The raising had commenced. 2. Col Vasir had his roots in Kashmir, grew up in Jaipur schooling at the St Xaviers, Jaipur before joining NDA and being commissioned into 5 Sikh ( 7 Sikh re designated as 5 Sikh). With commanding officers like col Bant Singh and seniors like capt Malhotra and MML Ahuja, the foundation for a great career were laid. Capt MMS Vasir did a stint as ADC to gen Harbakhsh Singh the Western Army commander, which for him was a great learning experience. Maj Vasir was later posted to 19 Sikh serving under col AKChaturvedi. It was from the panel of 19 Sikh that Lt Col Vasir was tasked to raise the new outfit. At that point in time Maj Vasir was posted at the Army Hqs when gen Satinder Singh the Colonel of The Sikh Regt tasked him for raising 20 Sikh. At the army headquarters he picked the team he wanted and ensured none wriggled out, got most equipment and transport release orders before embarking for Ramgarh. Thus began the raising on 01 Mar 1976. 3. Extremely well read he encouraged officers to read loaning books from his personal collection. I purchased a four year subscription of India Today on his advise and avidly subscribe to that magazine till date. Always calm, his agitation at events was very short lived, carried no grudges and always promoted team spirit. In my 33 years in the army I have not seen a smoother and more well coordinated raising than that conducted by Col Vasir. PT and games was regular. Our evening basketball went on for hours and col Vasir was very good at the game. Supremely fit he encouraged fitness. It was not easy to last three games of squash with him. Extremely fair, judicious, understanding, col Vasir gave a patient hearing to all, encouraged out of the box thinking and gave due credit to subordinates. Mrs Vasir is an effervescent, ever smiling conversation loving, movie buff and generally fun loving person. She was a talented cook and very hospitable. On one Sunday morning we the bachelors trooped in for breakfast, there was Tambe, Tejinder, Sumer, Sehgal and myself. Ramgarh has barrack type offrs residential accn doting the Temple Lane. The Vasirs were allotted one closer to the institute. As we trooped in we were served a green sherbet with silver dots swimming in the glass, a refreshing khus flavoured drink. Next came a plate full of small bread squares tossed with vegetables,sausages,fries and topped with a sunny side up egg. That was one filling and unforgettable treat. All this was washed down with tall glasses of cold coffee. (This is one dish that I have mastered and it is my Sunday offering to my kids..yes even today). That was the warm hospitality of the Vasir household that we sampled time and time again. From Ramgarh itself I moved out for a course to Pune, rejoining the unit at New Mal. But before that we mounted a ceremonial parade for the colonel of the Regt, which was a grand event led by a sword wielding commanding officer. The other event that kicks my memory is the dinner hosted for the Sikh RC where the married offrs pooled crockery,cutlery and the ladies helped with the cooking. It was a great learning experience and team building exercise. 4. At New Mal we were located in the tea gardens at the foot hills. Operational tasks beckoned as did Brig Nikki Talwar Commander 123 Brigade. 3 and 4 Guards were the other very senior Bns locate at Chalsa area. 20 Sikh held its own because of the leadership and the Team spirt. We inducted for the operational alert, participated in the gruelling khud race Jwalamukhi and de-inducted on foot with battle loads. During this period we also went through a gruelling exercise in extremely inhospitable terrain and under incessant rain. That was when we cooked chappatis on an entrenching tool and fed a surprised umpire maj ( later gen) PUP Mann. Shortly thereafter I was posted out and reported to SIzkH RC and thence to NDA and from there back to 1 Sikh. But my association with the Vasirs continued. After higher command col Vasir was Col Adm of the RAPID in Dehradun and would transit to op area through Hissar, where we continued to meet.Many years later Brig Vasir was posted at Army Hqs during one of my transit halts I enjoyed a warm evening with them, by then Mapu their daughter was a toddler. Also remember visiting Gen Vasir during his brief hospitalisation in Delhi. After retirement Gen Vasir joined Durlabjee Multi Speciality Hospital in Jaipur, he had undergone formal hospital administration training to enhance his skills. Gen Vasir served the hospital well for over 10 years before taking to full time golf and reading. Settled in their lovely house in Vishali Nagar of Jaipur, mrs Vasir keeps a spotless home. She was always fun loving not much into reading but much into cards and movies. She and Mapu are great friends doings things together. Mapu since married lives with her husband in Srinagar. Mrs Vasir has a large group of friends in Jaipur that do cards, movies and shopping together. We met up with the Vsirs last (March (2013) and spent a wonderful evening with them. Mrs Vasir has since had a knee replacement surgery and has recuperated fully. The general has his golfing fraternity and a circle of literary friends. To this wonderful couple good health, happiness and prosperity always ! Stay Blessed the Vasirs
Posted on: Sun, 24 Aug 2014 02:39:35 +0000