biryani

    1963-1966 (India-China border) (Narration by Ex-B rigadier Y.R Gupta )      Shoku, let me narrate another story to you; this time even older. It pertains to the years of 1963 to 1966 ( which was more than 57 years ago) & I may not remember everything very clearly. After all, the memories do start fading after some time. But, I would try my best to remember the events as best as I can. HINDI CHINI BHAI BHAI           In October-November 1962, the P.L.A. ( Peoples Liberation Army) of Peoples’ Republic of China ( P.R.C.), attacked India, across the International Border suddenly, after a long period of bonhomie, friendship & an era of HINDI CHINI BHAI BHAI. They did so almost all along the border but with greater strengths in N.E.F.A. ( North East Frontier Agency), which is now ARINACHAL PRADESH in the East & in Ladakh in the West. The Indian Army was caught with complete surprise since it had neither been warned by...

1983-84         (LINE OF CONTROL on India-Pakistan Border) (This is a continuation to the conversation set between me (S.G) and my nanu (grandfather),a former brigadier, (Y.R).This initiative was taken so that people know about the incidents that have taken place in the army unfiltered by the media.RAW WINTER STOCKING Friday,June 2020 Y.R- The task of WINTER STOCKING ( stocking the rations, the ammunition & other essential items for 1000 soldiers, for the entire winter season of 180 days(when nothing could be brought into the Lipa Valley from across the TUTMARI GALI PASS due to closure of the PASS due to snowfall) loaded on local ponies & labour( who could carry only limited & light loads) was very tough, monotonous & extremely tiring/ back breaking. Almost 50% soldiers of The PALTAN had to be employed for this job, apart from 40-50 ponies & 30-40 porters daily. We could not employ more porters & ponies due to limited capacity o...

1983-84         (LINE OF CONTROL on India-Pakistan Border) (This is a continuation to the conversation set between me (S.G) and my nanu (grandfather),a former brigadier, (Y.R).This initiative was taken so that people know about the incidents that have taken place in the army unfiltered by the media.RAW) THE NULLAHS Wednesday ,June 2020 Y.R-      By now, it was the month of April 1984 & the winter had started to recede. There, the snowfall starts to get converted into rain during that time, thus slowly washing down the accumulated snow towards the Nullahs & rivers. In fact , during the snowfall season, the snow gets accumulated everywhere & if not removed from the tracks or from the roof of Bunkers then, with passage of time & due to chilly winds blowing almost all the time, the snow becomes ice which is very hard to break & is very slippery. Also, if the snow is not removed from the roof tops if the Bunkers, the Bunke...

1983-84         (LINE OF CONTROL on India-Pakistan Border) (This is a continuation to the conversation set between me (S.G) and my nanu (grandfather),a former brigadier, (Y.R).This initiative was taken so that people know about the incidents that have taken place in the army unfiltered by the media.RAW BAKARWAL Monday,June 2020 Y.R-      On the first day, they covered a distance of about 5 kms & rested for the night at a suitable place. Next day, they covered a little more distance; of 8 kms, & again stayed at a suitable place on the second night.   On the same night, it started snowing , which continued on the next day too. Therefore, they could not cover much distance & , after covering a distance of about 4 kms, they found an abandoned BAKARWAL’s( local shepherds’) hut & halted there for the better part of the after noon & the third night.  All this while, we were in touch with each other through the...

1983-84         (LINE OF CONTROL on India-Pakistan Border) (This is a continuation to the conversation set between me (S.G) and my nanu (grandfather),a former brigadier, (Y.R).This initiative was taken so that people know about the incidents that have taken place in the army unfiltered by the media.RAW LAL CHOWK Friday,June 2020 Y.R-      On the same afternoon, I moved to Udhampur Transit Camp by the Officers’ Bus, spent the night there & next day moved from there to Srinagar Transit Camp, again by another Officers’ Bus, by about 7.0 PM. After securing a room for myself for the night stay at the Transit Camp, I thought of visiting Srinagar City to buy some sweets & snacks for the PALTAN’s officers who were in Leepa Valley ( there was a practice in my PALTAN- as it is in most of the units of the Indian  Army serving in Field Areas- that any one returning to the unit from leave or from any other outing to a town/ city, had to ...