183: From my unlocked diaries: I saw him living his dream

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As kids we all dream to ‘become’ or ‘achieve’ something in life when we grow up.? For some of you the dream may be to become a pilot, or excel in a particular sport, build a successful business or get into a big job. But, how many of us actually end up achieving our dreams … ? Actually live these dream later in life, as it unfolds ??

Here’s someone I witnessed not just dreaming about what he wanted to become as a school boy, but I also had the honour of witnessing him actually living his dream ; a dream of joining the Indian Army !

Here's how it started …

It was the month of April in the year 2012.? I was suddenly jolted from my sleep, as Nidhi my daughter screamed in excitement – “Appa, appa wake up & see!”. Rubbing my eyes and waking up from my sleep I looked around dazed.? Like honey bees hovering around flowers for nectar, I saw people, both young & old on the flight crowding near the aircraft windows. They were all craning their neck, almost falling on each other in excitement to get a glimpse of the magnificent snow-capped mountains.?

Yes, it was the majestic Himalayas ! We were just about to land at Leh airport for a one-week family vacation to Ladakh !!

Soon the pilot of the Indigo flight from Delhi to Leh nicely guided the aircraft between the mountains and landed at Kushok Bakula airport at Leh. ??

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I was in Ladakh not just to experience the Himalayas, to see Pangong Lake or to visit popular gompas & monasteries. A deeper connect had drawn me here. I will soon tell you what was that ‘connect’ …?

Low oxygen levels and high altitude here required us a full 24 – hours to acclimatize.? The next day we were all ready to explore the fascinating land of Ladakh.? The next day I promptly called Captain Murlidhar Gowda (Murali – name changed to protect his identity as he is currently posted in a sensitive border army area).?

In about 20 minutes a smartly dressed Indian Army officer with his name badge flashing as ‘Captain Muralidhar Gowda’ was at the lobby of our Hotel -Himalaya.? There he was, Murali - my buddy from School !? My heart swelled at seeing Murali smartly dressed in army uniform.? I was meeting Murali after almost 3 decades. He gave me a bear hug, almost crushing me, hitting me hard on my back with his battle-hardened army ‘hand’.? As we exchanged pleasantries. I also introduced my family to Murali.?

Soon my memories went back to our good old school days when Murali & I were best friends for almost 5 years.? Back in school, he was well-built, a 6-footer and a ruffian ready to pick a fight at the slightest of provocation.? Sports was his only passion and getting into the Indian army his only goal.? We were best friend for two reasons; one because I helped Murali with Maths and allowed him to copy in the exams; and the second, we were both comrades in School NCC.

Standing at the lobby of the Himalaya Hotel I noticed that Captain Murali looked fit like a Commando.? Nidhi made subtle gestures at me, comparing my anatomy with Captain Murali’s fitness, with particular reference to my tummy ! But certain things about my friend had not changed one bit – the way he shook my hands, backslapping and his shoulder punch !!

After brief introductions, Captain Murali asked his driver to leave and took charge of his Army Gypsy with the regimental flag proudly fluttering in the front. He kept us all engaged as we he drove us away from Leh, towards the distant snow-capped mountains.? All along the drive he was narrating about his various army experiences over the years.?

Suddenly he slowed down, looked at me and said – “Balu, I have seen death from very close.? In the jungles of upper Assam in a counter insurgency operation a bullet kissed my ears.? Near death, but unfortunately my radio assistant did not survive”

As we drove uphill on the winding snow littered BRO roads (Border Roads Organisation) I realized he was an expert at handling the 4-wheel drive, even with chains on its wheels (to negotiate the snow on the road).? Our Maruti Gypsy was now slowly ploughing through the snow littered, narrow and treacherous mountain road.? We soon crossed Chang La pass at a height of 17,500 feet.? Every turn along the way offered breadth taking view.? But not soul in sight ...

After almost a day long drive we arrived at the base camp of Siachen Brigade.?

As we entered the Brigade HQ, Captain Murali started giving us a commentary, and said – “Balu, at a height of 18,000 feet + this is one of the largest high altitude army camps in the world.? Temperatures here drops to below – 20 to -30 degree Celsius when everything here freezes for about 5 months in a year.? This serves as the base camp for Siachen Glacier, the largest battle field in the world”.

Post lunch settling down in one of the cozy rooms in the army camp Murali said – “Come on Balu, I have a surprise for you”.? Before I knew what was happening Murali asked me to change into an army uniform.? Next he hurled a heavy rifle at me.? “Balu, hold it.? And here is the magazine with dummy rubber bullets in it.? I will show you how to load & fire.? Just follow my instructions – take position, aim & fire.? Fire as much as you want”.

Captain Murali took his position next to me and helped me with the basics.? While firing was effortless for the Captain, I was struggling, getting hit & hurt on my shoulder with the intense re-coil.? Truly an exhilarating experience !

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After a while our firing was falling into a rhythm.? The sound of the gun fire boomed & echoed back from the surrounding mountains, breaking the silence every now & then.? Both Murali & me were truly reliving our days of NCC firing training back in school ! ?

After a lavish lunch at the Officers mess, Murali drove us beyond the blue Pangong Lake.? Even as the evening light faded and the air getting really chill, we noticed tiny lights flickering at a distance.? They were lights from the Indian Army posts across the Pangong Lake.?

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As our Maruti Gypsy approached some of the army posts, promptly came the army jawans from out of their bunkers to salute their Captain – Captain Murali.? As we went from bunker-to-bunker Murali proudly introduced me to his men as - ‘someone who helped him pass his 10th Standard exam !’

I was truly humbled by Murali’s gesture. My heart swelled with pride – both for my friend Murali, and to our Indian Army soldiers who protect our borders in such extreme conditions - day in & day out.

As I retired for the night at the nearby army camp after a long & memorable day, I felt indeed fortunate & honoured to meet my school buddy Murali after 3 decades. Having seen him in school build his dream, here I was with him as Captain Murali truly living his dream !

PS: No pictures were taken with Captain Murali or at the army camps & locations respecting the rules & regulations and the sensitivity of these forward army locations.? Pictures posted in the article are only representative.

Balu

January 6, 2024

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