Apart from the dip in the sea, I, like many others, have had my share of accidents but they don't really make for an interesting story. This tale, however, is about surviving possible dismissal from the Navy.
Back in 1960 I was undergoing Sub Lts courses in Venduruthy, Cochin (Kochi!). I haven't been to Cochin for a long time and my geography may be incorrect now but those days, officers under training used to stay in the South Wardroom near the Basic & Divisional School jetty. A US Navy ship was visiting and as US ships don't serve liquor on board, they decided to hold a cocktail reception on a Saturday evening in the South Wardroom to which some of us were invited.
My friend Bakshish (who is no more, God bless his soul) and I hung around together with an American Lieutenant, call him Yankee, and were really enjoying the party. When it came to an end, we decided to continue the revelling at the US Club which was holding the usual Saturday dance. The Club in the old days was a fair distance away across the Base near the Command Mess. Since it was quite a walk, Yankee suggested we carry a drink, literally for the road.
So the three of us, impeccably attired in our formal Mess Dress complete with bow tie, monkey jacket et al but no cap, commenced our moonlight march each with a big glass of scotch in our hands. We crossed the parade ground and came to the main road. We were overtaken by a car which slowed down and stopped just ahead of us. Yankee said, "Hey, this guy is offering us a lift" and waved at the car. Out stepped the martinet Commander (second in command) of Venduruthy and asked us who we were and where we were going. Shaken and surprised by seeing the Cdr but oblivious of any wrongdoing, we identified ourselves and said we were going to the Club for the dance.
Cdr, "Where are your caps?"
Us, "We were at a party and not wearing them."
Cdr, "And what have you got in your hands?"
We thought that was quite obvious but maybe the Cdr needed enlightenment, it being nighttime, "A drink, sir".
That was enough to send the Cdr in a raging fit and he lashed into a venomous diatribe the sum total of which was that we were a disgrace to the uniform and unfit to be officers, roaming around as we were with a drink on the public road. Yankee was told to go away and Bakshish and I were ordered to present ourselves in No. 2s (formal uniform) in the Cdr's office after the Monday morning Divisions (parade). Cdr then drove away.
We were stunned at this turn of events and trudged back to our cabins. I wondered aloud if we really deserved such harsh reaction. Bakshish said no, he knew the real reason. Cdr had proposed that Bakshish marry his daughter but he was resisting. I immediately cheered up and told Bakshish to say yes and our problems would be over. But Bakshish was adamant and said he couldn't do that as he was in love with someone.
The weekend passed without sleep amidst worries about what lay in store for us. Monday finally dawned and we turned up for Divisions. Any hope that the Cdr had forgotten or mellowed quickly dispelled when he tersely reminded us of the appointment in his office. We duly presented ourselves and were given the scolding of our lives ending with the order that we should present ourselves for Captain's defaulters on Friday when Cdr would recommend our dismissal from service.
Dismissal from service! We could hardly believe our ears and our head was in a spin. Could that really happen? But the Cdr was utterly serious and appeared quite determined to carry out the threat. We straightaway headed to our Officer-in-charge's office to come out clean and seek his help. Cdr Sirajuddin, a benevolent father figure, gave us a patient hearing and said he would see what he could do. Shortly after, he told us that he had spoken to the Cdr who was adamant that he would recommend our dismissal to the Captain.
Bakshish and I were shell-shocked at the prospect of our naval career coming to an inglorious end. What would we do and what would we tell our parents/guardians? Like robots we followed our training schedule but all we could think of was the bleak future looming ahead of us. I again pleaded with Bakshish to say yes to the Cdr's proposal but he said he would rather sacrifice his naval career at the altar of true love.
God moves about in mysterious ways his wonders to perform! For some urgent personal reason, the Cdr had to suddenly proceed on casual leave and the next seniormost, Cdr Sirajuddin became the acting Cdr of Venduruthy. Hope sprung anew. As the matter had already been reported to the Captain, Cdr Sirajuddin still marched us for the defaulters where the Captain lambasted us on our inappropriate behaviour but let us off with a severe warning on recommendation of Cdr Sirajuddin who had told him that we were otherwise fine gentlemen!
The relief was enormous, our cup of gratitude for Cdr Sirajuddin overflowed and our conduct for the rest of our stay in Venduruthy was exemplary!
Back in 1960 I was undergoing Sub Lts courses in Venduruthy, Cochin (Kochi!). I haven't been to Cochin for a long time and my geography may be incorrect now but those days, officers under training used to stay in the South Wardroom near the Basic & Divisional School jetty. A US Navy ship was visiting and as US ships don't serve liquor on board, they decided to hold a cocktail reception on a Saturday evening in the South Wardroom to which some of us were invited.
My friend Bakshish (who is no more, God bless his soul) and I hung around together with an American Lieutenant, call him Yankee, and were really enjoying the party. When it came to an end, we decided to continue the revelling at the US Club which was holding the usual Saturday dance. The Club in the old days was a fair distance away across the Base near the Command Mess. Since it was quite a walk, Yankee suggested we carry a drink, literally for the road.
So the three of us, impeccably attired in our formal Mess Dress complete with bow tie, monkey jacket et al but no cap, commenced our moonlight march each with a big glass of scotch in our hands. We crossed the parade ground and came to the main road. We were overtaken by a car which slowed down and stopped just ahead of us. Yankee said, "Hey, this guy is offering us a lift" and waved at the car. Out stepped the martinet Commander (second in command) of Venduruthy and asked us who we were and where we were going. Shaken and surprised by seeing the Cdr but oblivious of any wrongdoing, we identified ourselves and said we were going to the Club for the dance.
Cdr, "Where are your caps?"
Us, "We were at a party and not wearing them."
Cdr, "And what have you got in your hands?"
We thought that was quite obvious but maybe the Cdr needed enlightenment, it being nighttime, "A drink, sir".
That was enough to send the Cdr in a raging fit and he lashed into a venomous diatribe the sum total of which was that we were a disgrace to the uniform and unfit to be officers, roaming around as we were with a drink on the public road. Yankee was told to go away and Bakshish and I were ordered to present ourselves in No. 2s (formal uniform) in the Cdr's office after the Monday morning Divisions (parade). Cdr then drove away.
We were stunned at this turn of events and trudged back to our cabins. I wondered aloud if we really deserved such harsh reaction. Bakshish said no, he knew the real reason. Cdr had proposed that Bakshish marry his daughter but he was resisting. I immediately cheered up and told Bakshish to say yes and our problems would be over. But Bakshish was adamant and said he couldn't do that as he was in love with someone.
The weekend passed without sleep amidst worries about what lay in store for us. Monday finally dawned and we turned up for Divisions. Any hope that the Cdr had forgotten or mellowed quickly dispelled when he tersely reminded us of the appointment in his office. We duly presented ourselves and were given the scolding of our lives ending with the order that we should present ourselves for Captain's defaulters on Friday when Cdr would recommend our dismissal from service.
Dismissal from service! We could hardly believe our ears and our head was in a spin. Could that really happen? But the Cdr was utterly serious and appeared quite determined to carry out the threat. We straightaway headed to our Officer-in-charge's office to come out clean and seek his help. Cdr Sirajuddin, a benevolent father figure, gave us a patient hearing and said he would see what he could do. Shortly after, he told us that he had spoken to the Cdr who was adamant that he would recommend our dismissal to the Captain.
Bakshish and I were shell-shocked at the prospect of our naval career coming to an inglorious end. What would we do and what would we tell our parents/guardians? Like robots we followed our training schedule but all we could think of was the bleak future looming ahead of us. I again pleaded with Bakshish to say yes to the Cdr's proposal but he said he would rather sacrifice his naval career at the altar of true love.
God moves about in mysterious ways his wonders to perform! For some urgent personal reason, the Cdr had to suddenly proceed on casual leave and the next seniormost, Cdr Sirajuddin became the acting Cdr of Venduruthy. Hope sprung anew. As the matter had already been reported to the Captain, Cdr Sirajuddin still marched us for the defaulters where the Captain lambasted us on our inappropriate behaviour but let us off with a severe warning on recommendation of Cdr Sirajuddin who had told him that we were otherwise fine gentlemen!
The relief was enormous, our cup of gratitude for Cdr Sirajuddin overflowed and our conduct for the rest of our stay in Venduruthy was exemplary!
