I was teaching computers at this institute, right at the Delhi-UP border. The franchisee there hired an ex-army chap to take care of non-academic duties. You know - all-round development of students. I was in charge of academics, and he was to be my opposite number.
Then
I met the chappie himself. Young fellow. A 2nd lieutenant. Crisply dressed and more
handsome than me. I was not impressed. How can you be ex-army as a 2nd lieutenant?
Isn't that the first posting in the Army?
I am busy with my work, and he is. One day I planned to spy on him and see what his work was like. He was teaching boys and girls how to shake hands. Well, that was the end of my interest in his work and I classify him as a duffer.
Then
he organised a team outing to an amusement park. He actually did a good job
organizing it. Bus, lunch and back. All well planned and organized. Now he had
to return 1700/- to all. My share being 11 bucks. He didn't do that. He vanished. We
didn't hear from him again. FYI, 1700 was big money those days.
This
is how I lost all respect for Army and ex-Army men.
But
that's not how the story ends.
Years
later, I was in Bangalore. I had a con-call with a US client scheduled for 7pm
Indian time. I stayed back on an empty floor. The staff all gone by 6. In walks this new guy from the sales department and
introduces himself. One look I knew who. A little plum and soft. He talks to me for a
good 20 minutes.
You
know, I called him a duffer earlier. Here is why.
When he paused after said-20-minutes. I said "Chutiye, It's me re. Hemant". An Army guy should have recognised me from miles away. Even If I was in disguise. Well, you could see the color drain from his face. He sat there quietly for a decent 5 mins and then took his leave. I didn’t see him much hereafter. And then I hear he has left the organisation. I didn't tell anyone there about this. So no one knows about this unless they read this article and put two and two together.
#exarmy #indianarmy #inda #army
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