Then There was a Pannu. A bright officer Major Pannu (Para) was posted as the BM of the Watershed Brigade at Batangchu, Sikkim in 1970s. My battalion, the Sawaimans was occupying Jalap La defenses. He was a modified Surd but a compulsive smoker. Once the Bde Cdr, a devout Sikh suddenly walked into his office and found him smoking. Punnu got up with his cigarette still in hand. The Cdr waited for some time, till fuming with rage he burst Mein Dekh leiya Jey tu Karna Waa, Kato kat Duan tey merey Moonh tey naa sut. (I have seen what you do but for God sake dont blow it on my face). Leaving the office he went to his room. Unfazed Punnu moved to the Mess for beer and gin. After few drinks some one raised a wager saying that no one can drive over Batangchu Lake (it was frozen). Pannu said that he can. When told that he cant, he got out of the Mess, started the first jeep parked nearby and drove it over the lake for some distance. Soon the vehicle started sinking. People managed to pull Pannu out with great difficulty,but the vehicle sank. It was recovered next summers without much of loss. By 1975 Punnu had gone up the ladder to become a Bde Cdr. Visiting the valley he came to know that the Sawaiman was around. He drove in and stayed with us. Later I accompanied him to the Div HQ at Baramulla. It was snow time and Jhelum was almost frozen. While drinking in the Mess some one again challenged him saying that no one could cross the Jhelum at that time. Pannu said he can. When told again that he could not, he took out his parka, jumped into the river and swam across. He was almost blue before touching the other end. No, he was not fixed. He rose to the next rank. I met him again this time as a Major General. Women were fairly fond of him, till he got married and had two daughters. The Lady was from Australia. Such were officers of yonder years.
Posted on: Fri, 28 Mar 2014 12:43:27 +0000
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