Part 47
"Lieutenant Dharini, Lt Gen A K Singh is visiting...!" Dr. Guruprasad, Director DRDO Pune looked up through his spectacles to gauge her reaction. She was summoned to his office as soon as she entered the office. General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Command was visiting. She didn't understand the reason for summoning her. "You shall accompany him with Major Vinit Pandit for his keynote address in Symbiosis School of Business Management..." He dropped the bombshell and she gaped with dropped jaw.
"Yes Sir!" she said recovering from the initial shock and saluted. He handed over the papers to her saying "His profile..." She looked up confused. "You should know..!" he said with a contemptuous smile. He was no less than Maj. Vinit in detesting women in Defense.
"Yes Sir!" she came out after a salute and sat on her chair with a thud. "Am I accompanying him?" she was bewildered. She took a deep breath. "Ok! No issues... I will do my best!" she thought resolutely gearing up herself. "A lieutenant is accompanying a Lieutenant General?" she again wondered, a smile of pride appeared on her face.
"Maj. Vinit is waiting for you...!" Office boy came in to inform and she frowned. She got up adjusting her cap and went out for the meeting. "Why is he accompanying? Why can't I go alone or with someone else?" she thought with a bitter taste in her mouth. Vinit glanced at her contorted face. "Are you alright?" he asked disdainfully. "Yes Sir!" she nodded forcing a smile on her face.
A brief meeting of seven minutes without discussion got concluded with the Director issuing orders and instructions. Others only had to nod and accept the responsibilities. Maj. Vinit was unusually quiet. Tension was visible on his face. Rini glanced at his face and smiled inwardly.
"Chief commanding officer, Southern Command..." She looked away. Sometimes ignorance is bliss... she didn't know whom she was pitched up with.
Lt. Gen A.K.Singh was one of the few distinguished commanding in chief's known for their achievements. He was commander of an armoured brigade during Operation Parakram. He later went on to command the Jhansi based 'White Tiger Division' and the elite strike arm of the Indian Army the 'Strike One'. A big Name in Indian Army, Rini was little apprehensive and Vinit was sure to have trouble, being officer of Southern Command.
The motorcade arrived and the entire DRDO campus came alive with tension and apprehension. A strict hierarchy was maintained and Rini didn't even get an opportunity to have a look at him. She was called in the afternoon in the Director's office. A full house Military gathering was already in the discussion. She saluted, looking straight into the white wall. Lt. Gen. A. K. Singh measured her and gave a nod of approval. "Lt. Dharini Dixit!" Director introduced and she saluted again.
"Ok! Officers, the meeting is over!" Lt. Gen. sent the men out. The Director and Vinit were to stay back.
"You are accompanying...!" he said and she reported. "Yes Sir!" "Good!" he appreciated. "We are leaving in ten minutes. You may have to address the gathering ...~" he dropped another bombshell on Rini. "Yes Sir!" she had no other option. "You may go!" she was given no other clue. She didn't even know the purpose of the gathering...! It was to felicitate Lt. Gen for being honored by Ati Vishisht Seva Medal! He was a recipient of, Vishisht Seva Medal and Sena Medal for his meritorious service...!
She came out in confused state of mind. "I may have to address? What? Why?" she had no clue...! She shook her head to bring it in place, that is on her shoulders! She went to the rest room to get herself ready. She already was in full uniform... Nothing much was to be done. She came out to see the centry/Jawan waiting to polish her shoes. She waited with bated breath.
Afternoon at 3:30 exactly, they had reached House Full Symbiosis Auditorium. Lt. Gen. occupied the stage and Vinit and Rini stood behind in attention per the protocol. His forceful, fluent, witty, speech inspired the crowd beyond expectations including Rini. Her chest heaved with pride.
His insignia of National emblem over crossed baton and saber craved her. Some day I will be in his place... she dreamed...! His speech elaborated women in Army. This was basically a motivational speech to inspire students to join Army, its glorious past was described. Lt. Gen. A. K. Singh concluded his speech by bringing out the role models; Lt. Dharini and Maj. Vinit Pandit, recepient of Sena Medal during Operational Exercise of Sudarshan Shakti..! Suggesting that the gathering would be delighted with their experiences...!
He concluded....
Dear Girls
While you carry a purse , She too carries a 65Lbs gun...
When you rest in AC and Coolers, She guards you in the scorching heat.....
When you apply your make up, She too applies colours to camouflage herself.......
When you enjoy with your family, She plans to take over the enemy.....
For your peaceful sleep, She has passed many sleepless nights....
- Salute To Her.... He saluted for Women Power!!
There was a pin drop silence for a while and then the crowd erupted clapping....with tearful eyes admiring women in Armed forces....!
Maj.. Vinit gazed straight with expressionless face. Rini didn't know what she was expected of....! The protocol said Maj. should go first, so did he. ...
Again, another round of glory of Indian Army was reiterated...! Vinit was witty enough to send waves of humor in the gathering. Rini didn't know, he had a sense of humor too! She had to outperform him ...!
She stood before the gathering in full uniform, upright with heaving chest in pride... Her tall 5.8 figure, her fair complexion and lean toned body resonated her strong personality... her olive green uniform and the two five pointed stars on her badge shined in spot light....!
She chose a perfect topic to discuss... her Officers Training Acadamy experiences...The thrill, the advanture, the routine, the crisis management training... ! She was perfect in using management jargens in front of Management Students... the crowd uproared clapping when she finished with Mecauley's quotes...
To every man upon this earth,
death comes sooner or later.
And how can a man die better
facing fearful odds
For the ashes of his father
and the temple of his Gods...!!
And then she concluded chuckling.... In this.... Man includes Woman too!!
Lt. Gen. A.K.Singh had a broad smile on his face....! "She is adorable...!" he thought. "She must meet Vikram ... soon!" he thought inwardly planning ...! Maj. Vinit had no expression....! Rini didn't care either.
They were to gather for the evening party at officers Mess....! Rini had to get ready....! She hated civilian dress....!
************* ************* **********
"No..! I can't do that...! I will help you... you give the seminar...!" Dhatri was scared with the thought of giving a presentation before the class. Her team mate tried her best to persuade Dhatri to participate. But Dhatri had a stage fright. She would forget everything and fumble...! She was a bad speaker unlike her Rini Didi. Standing before the audiance was like standing before death for her. "No, Ragini... please... I will ruin everything... please... no presentation... I will help you in preparing the presentation....!" she offerred. But this time, Ragini was not going to give in.
"Dhatri... everyone must give a presentation... you too! So prepare one...!" Ragini put her foot down. Dhatri sat on the bed horror struck. She had successfully avoided standing before the class. Her one on one orals were good but not group discussions. She preferred to be silent when it came to discussion. The otherwise chirpy Dhatri lost her voice standing before the class. Her friends had tried everything to boost her courage in these three semesters in vain. This time seminars were compulsory and were to be counted in internal assessment and Dhatri was in a fix.
"Why can't we make it in a team?" she asked miserably. She had lost her sleep hearing that she had to give a seminar.
"Dhatri... choose your topic... SDLC or OS !" Ragini asked. Dhatri looked lost. "Dhatri, choose one.... else M'am will impose a topic on you..!" she warned and Dhatri blurted "SDLC software Development Life Cycle...!" adding further... "I know only cycle in this...!" Ragini giggled. "Start preparing..." she ordered and went out. Preparation was not at all a problem for Dhatri. She was resourceful, knew exactly where to find the study material, knew how to search on the net, knew the liberary inside out... but she had a problem with presentation...!
"My week is ruined...!" she was tensed up. She had to do it alone. She had to mug up her entire seminar speech.
"Rini didi...!" she gave her a desperate call. Rini listened to her for a while. "No problem Dhaa... prepare, mug up, rehearse and give a speech to me over phone and I will tell you how to deliver it!" she found out the solution and Dhaa felt better. She spent sleepless nights mugging up the speech and was sure that she was going to fumble at the last minute....!
"You will do it, Dhatri! Her only friend from the opposite sex, said calmly" Dhatri looked at Suresh Menon with some hope. He smiled. "I will help you!" he assured and she felt better. He was a studious kind of a person taking up studies very seriously, never missing a rank. He was the only boy Dhatri was comfortable with. She had avoided teaming up with boys for all these semester.
"So! Come on! Cheer up ..!" he said smiling and she reciprocated. Her preparation in the liberary started with Ragini and Suresh helping her...
"Lieutenant Dharini, Lt Gen A K Singh is visiting...!" Dr. Guruprasad, Director DRDO Pune looked up through his spectacles to gauge her reaction. She was summoned to his office as soon as she entered the office. General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Command was visiting. She didn't understand the reason for summoning her. "You shall accompany him with Major Vinit Pandit for his keynote address in Symbiosis School of Business Management..." He dropped the bombshell and she gaped with dropped jaw.
"Yes Sir!" she said recovering from the initial shock and saluted. He handed over the papers to her saying "His profile..." She looked up confused. "You should know..!" he said with a contemptuous smile. He was no less than Maj. Vinit in detesting women in Defense.
"Yes Sir!" she came out after a salute and sat on her chair with a thud. "Am I accompanying him?" she was bewildered. She took a deep breath. "Ok! No issues... I will do my best!" she thought resolutely gearing up herself. "A lieutenant is accompanying a Lieutenant General?" she again wondered, a smile of pride appeared on her face.
"Maj. Vinit is waiting for you...!" Office boy came in to inform and she frowned. She got up adjusting her cap and went out for the meeting. "Why is he accompanying? Why can't I go alone or with someone else?" she thought with a bitter taste in her mouth. Vinit glanced at her contorted face. "Are you alright?" he asked disdainfully. "Yes Sir!" she nodded forcing a smile on her face.
A brief meeting of seven minutes without discussion got concluded with the Director issuing orders and instructions. Others only had to nod and accept the responsibilities. Maj. Vinit was unusually quiet. Tension was visible on his face. Rini glanced at his face and smiled inwardly.
"Chief commanding officer, Southern Command..." She looked away. Sometimes ignorance is bliss... she didn't know whom she was pitched up with.
Lt. Gen A.K.Singh was one of the few distinguished commanding in chief's known for their achievements. He was commander of an armoured brigade during Operation Parakram. He later went on to command the Jhansi based 'White Tiger Division' and the elite strike arm of the Indian Army the 'Strike One'. A big Name in Indian Army, Rini was little apprehensive and Vinit was sure to have trouble, being officer of Southern Command.
The motorcade arrived and the entire DRDO campus came alive with tension and apprehension. A strict hierarchy was maintained and Rini didn't even get an opportunity to have a look at him. She was called in the afternoon in the Director's office. A full house Military gathering was already in the discussion. She saluted, looking straight into the white wall. Lt. Gen. A. K. Singh measured her and gave a nod of approval. "Lt. Dharini Dixit!" Director introduced and she saluted again.
"Ok! Officers, the meeting is over!" Lt. Gen. sent the men out. The Director and Vinit were to stay back.
"You are accompanying...!" he said and she reported. "Yes Sir!" "Good!" he appreciated. "We are leaving in ten minutes. You may have to address the gathering ...~" he dropped another bombshell on Rini. "Yes Sir!" she had no other option. "You may go!" she was given no other clue. She didn't even know the purpose of the gathering...! It was to felicitate Lt. Gen for being honored by Ati Vishisht Seva Medal! He was a recipient of, Vishisht Seva Medal and Sena Medal for his meritorious service...!
She came out in confused state of mind. "I may have to address? What? Why?" she had no clue...! She shook her head to bring it in place, that is on her shoulders! She went to the rest room to get herself ready. She already was in full uniform... Nothing much was to be done. She came out to see the centry/Jawan waiting to polish her shoes. She waited with bated breath.
Afternoon at 3:30 exactly, they had reached House Full Symbiosis Auditorium. Lt. Gen. occupied the stage and Vinit and Rini stood behind in attention per the protocol. His forceful, fluent, witty, speech inspired the crowd beyond expectations including Rini. Her chest heaved with pride.
His insignia of National emblem over crossed baton and saber craved her. Some day I will be in his place... she dreamed...! His speech elaborated women in Army. This was basically a motivational speech to inspire students to join Army, its glorious past was described. Lt. Gen. A. K. Singh concluded his speech by bringing out the role models; Lt. Dharini and Maj. Vinit Pandit, recepient of Sena Medal during Operational Exercise of Sudarshan Shakti..! Suggesting that the gathering would be delighted with their experiences...!
He concluded....
Dear Girls
While you carry a purse , She too carries a 65Lbs gun...
When you rest in AC and Coolers, She guards you in the scorching heat.....
When you apply your make up, She too applies colours to camouflage herself.......
When you enjoy with your family, She plans to take over the enemy.....
For your peaceful sleep, She has passed many sleepless nights....
- Salute To Her.... He saluted for Women Power!!
There was a pin drop silence for a while and then the crowd erupted clapping....with tearful eyes admiring women in Armed forces....!
Maj.. Vinit gazed straight with expressionless face. Rini didn't know what she was expected of....! The protocol said Maj. should go first, so did he. ...
Again, another round of glory of Indian Army was reiterated...! Vinit was witty enough to send waves of humor in the gathering. Rini didn't know, he had a sense of humor too! She had to outperform him ...!
She stood before the gathering in full uniform, upright with heaving chest in pride... Her tall 5.8 figure, her fair complexion and lean toned body resonated her strong personality... her olive green uniform and the two five pointed stars on her badge shined in spot light....!
She chose a perfect topic to discuss... her Officers Training Acadamy experiences...The thrill, the advanture, the routine, the crisis management training... ! She was perfect in using management jargens in front of Management Students... the crowd uproared clapping when she finished with Mecauley's quotes...
To every man upon this earth,
death comes sooner or later.
And how can a man die better
facing fearful odds
For the ashes of his father
and the temple of his Gods...!!
And then she concluded chuckling.... In this.... Man includes Woman too!!
Lt. Gen. A.K.Singh had a broad smile on his face....! "She is adorable...!" he thought. "She must meet Vikram ... soon!" he thought inwardly planning ...! Maj. Vinit had no expression....! Rini didn't care either.
They were to gather for the evening party at officers Mess....! Rini had to get ready....! She hated civilian dress....!
************* ************* **********
"No..! I can't do that...! I will help you... you give the seminar...!" Dhatri was scared with the thought of giving a presentation before the class. Her team mate tried her best to persuade Dhatri to participate. But Dhatri had a stage fright. She would forget everything and fumble...! She was a bad speaker unlike her Rini Didi. Standing before the audiance was like standing before death for her. "No, Ragini... please... I will ruin everything... please... no presentation... I will help you in preparing the presentation....!" she offerred. But this time, Ragini was not going to give in.
"Dhatri... everyone must give a presentation... you too! So prepare one...!" Ragini put her foot down. Dhatri sat on the bed horror struck. She had successfully avoided standing before the class. Her one on one orals were good but not group discussions. She preferred to be silent when it came to discussion. The otherwise chirpy Dhatri lost her voice standing before the class. Her friends had tried everything to boost her courage in these three semesters in vain. This time seminars were compulsory and were to be counted in internal assessment and Dhatri was in a fix.
"Why can't we make it in a team?" she asked miserably. She had lost her sleep hearing that she had to give a seminar.
"Dhatri... choose your topic... SDLC or OS !" Ragini asked. Dhatri looked lost. "Dhatri, choose one.... else M'am will impose a topic on you..!" she warned and Dhatri blurted "SDLC software Development Life Cycle...!" adding further... "I know only cycle in this...!" Ragini giggled. "Start preparing..." she ordered and went out. Preparation was not at all a problem for Dhatri. She was resourceful, knew exactly where to find the study material, knew how to search on the net, knew the liberary inside out... but she had a problem with presentation...!
"My week is ruined...!" she was tensed up. She had to do it alone. She had to mug up her entire seminar speech.
"Rini didi...!" she gave her a desperate call. Rini listened to her for a while. "No problem Dhaa... prepare, mug up, rehearse and give a speech to me over phone and I will tell you how to deliver it!" she found out the solution and Dhaa felt better. She spent sleepless nights mugging up the speech and was sure that she was going to fumble at the last minute....!
"You will do it, Dhatri! Her only friend from the opposite sex, said calmly" Dhatri looked at Suresh Menon with some hope. He smiled. "I will help you!" he assured and she felt better. He was a studious kind of a person taking up studies very seriously, never missing a rank. He was the only boy Dhatri was comfortable with. She had avoided teaming up with boys for all these semester.
"So! Come on! Cheer up ..!" he said smiling and she reciprocated. Her preparation in the liberary started with Ragini and Suresh helping her...
Hello
ReplyDeleteAkansha, Thank you for reading the updates... Yes there are people who are selfish enough to put others in trouble... Maasi maa is one of them with her greed and insecurity, wants to earn quick money at the cost of others...
Mymind, thank you! and yes they are together almost grew together... and now getting together for life... and I am also waiting for summer wedding... if at all it happens... there are quite a few months in between and person like Dhaa....!! let us see what happens... hehehehe
Thank you Anonymous for reading and commenting...
Thank you all... hope you like this update too...! Boring... is it? Hope not!
Love
KF
Enjoying the torture with your comments...haaan!...wicked!
ReplyDeleteBut I would still hang on to that summer(any) wedding... despite whatsoever surprises you have planned in these few months in their lives!...and for us....
Loved those lines in their speeches...Now why this expressionless rigid face Maj.Vinit?...and wonder who the new character is... Vikram?....
Glad to know Dhaa has got some nice friends there...and hope it stays that way...your comment has succeeded in whatever it was intended to achieve....thank you Khushifan for the interesting posts....
Hey great update kf as always...:-)
ReplyDeletelove ur story n yr way of writing....
keep writing.....
u r simply awesome....
Hi Khushifan!!
ReplyDeleteThe complete contrast in the characterisation of Dharini and Dhaatri was brought out well... both in the same position, and both reacting differently!! One had just a few minutes to prepare and the other many days to prepare!! One is full of confidence and the other a bundle of nerves!! Loved the conclusion speech of both... the two people who will have more encounters in future!! LOL, "she shook her head to bring it in place, that is on her shoulders", "SDLC and I know only cycle in this",... hahahaa!!! Why is Vinit so tensed?? Hmmm, looking forward to the party,... would she be meeting Vikram there???
Really enjoyed the update... so very well-written!!