Taking the INSCRIPT exam

The Rajbhasha department under the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India conducts proficiency examinations for skill in INSCRIPT typing in Hindi. INSCRIPT (meaning INDIAN SCRIPT) keyboard empowers you to type in any of the indian languages provided you are aware of the phonetics used in the particular language. Though there are many sites through which you can type in vernacular like Quillpad and Lipikaar, INSCRIPT helps to fine tune your skills. This January I had appeared for this examination which was conducted at Vikram Sarabhai Space Center (VSSC), Thiruvananthapuram and qualified the exam with 91% marks.

Fauji diary - A Salute to Capt Omkar Nath Rao

Omkar Nath Rao was a second generation soldier and the only son of his parents. We met at the Officers Training Academy, Madras (now Chennai) where we were coursemates. I don't remember how and when we became good friends. I have known Omkar from close quarters, we continued to remain in touch even after leaving the academy, did the young officers course together at MHOW in 1997. He was always looking for a meaningful contribution to the uniformed life so he opted for a tenure at Siachen glaciar. By the time he completed his tenure at Siachen, his battalion was in a field area. He chose to be with his battalion in the Uri sector.

the days at Academy

young officers course at MHOW'Dil chahta hai'- at the Mandu fort
Brother in Arms

Capt Omkar Nath Rao was lost to his family and friends in a exchange of fire at the Indo-Pak border on 11 March 2000. He was given 'Sena Medal' for gallantry (posthomously).Homage can be paid to Capt Omkar Nath Rao by clicking here.

The Valentine boy turns Five

Our son Aryaman turned five on 14 February. This smile was captured while he bought the cake to me.

Our trip to Los Angeles Part I

Been informed of being the lucky winner of the Sony Big Bond Prize by the end of November 2008 ( Refer my previous posts God tussi great ho ! and Sony Big Bond Prize.) we were really looking forward to this trip. The trip to Los Angeles was organised by Sony India Ltd from 17 February 2009 20 February 2009. The travel arrangements were made by Carlson Wagonlit Travels. The Thai Airways flight originating from Mumbai to Los Angeles via Bangkok took us to our destination. Even when we had landed at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) , I was still under the impression that it must be a trip for a group of people who have won lucky prizes from Sony. We were pleasantly surprised to meet Andy, the driver of the Limousine which was sent for taking us to our hotel - Hotel Mariott Downtown LA. Andy was carrying with him the itinerary for the next three days which was handed to us very curteously. The itinerary was handled by India USA Hospitality and besides other details it included a visit to Sony Picture Studio,tour of Culver City, Hollywood, Dinner at Beverly Hills and a day at Disneyland.

At one of the rides in Disneyland

The guests are recieved at the entrance by Minimouse herself.

..continuing the Mumbai story..

If one were to make a comment on the security, safety of citizens in our country, a one liner would be - "सवारी अपने सामन की ख़ुद जिम्मेदार है " The government takes no responsibility for the same as it has its own global aspirations and pretensions, as commented in FORBES magazine by Tumku Varadarajan. Years back in school I learned a poem by श्री रामधारी सिंह 'दिनकर' , the lines of which I still remember and keep quoting here and there; but now I think it is time that our political leadership gets back to learning the basics once again.

क्षमा, दया, तप,त्याग,मनोबल

सबका लिया सहारा,

पर नर - व्याघ्र सुयोधन तुमसे,

कहो,कहाँ,कब हारा

क्षमाशील हो रिपु समक्ष

तुम हुए विनत जितना ही,

दुष्ट कौरवों ने तुमको

कायर समझा उतना ही

क्षमा शोभती उस भुजंग को

जिसके पास गरल हो ,

उसका क्या जो दंतहीन,

विषहीन, विनीत सरल हो

तीन दिवस तक पथ मांगते

रघुपति सिन्धु किनारे

बैठे पढ़ते रहे छंद

अनुनय के प्यारे प्यारे

उत्तर में जब एक नाद भी

उठा नहीं सागर से ,

उठी धधक अधीर पौरुष की

आग राम के शर से

सिन्धु देह धर " त्राहि- त्राहि "

कहता आ गिरा चरण में ,

चरण पूज, दासता ग्रहण की

बंधा मूढ़ बंधन में

सच पूछो तो शर में ही

बसती है दीप्ती विनय की ,

संधि वचन संपूज्य उसी का,

जिस में शक्ति विजय की

सहनशीलता, क्षमा, दया को

तभी पूजता जग है

बल का दर्प चमकता उसके

पीछे जब जगमग है

10 years together

Meenu and I completed ten years of marriage on 27 Jan.

A picture from the early years

A recent sketch taken at Timber Trail

REALITY

In love, nothing exists between heart and heart.

Speech is born out of longing,

True description from the real taste.

The one who tastes,knows;

The one who explains,lies.

How can you describe the true form of Something

In whose presence you are blotted out?

And in whose being you still exist?

And who lives as a sign for your journey?

- Rabia Al Basri

Fauji dairy - Remembering Atul Ghildiyal

Atul Ghildiyal had a child like innocence, sage like maturity and an iron like will. He was my immediate senior in the battalion. There was a very strong bond between us. At some level I felt as if we were like brothers from different mothers. The fond memories of serving together at Jalandhar are still fresh in my mind. He had an enthuthiasm which was contagious and a spirit of adventure which broke all parameters of sanity; it was only Atul who could keep a variety of pets from pigeons, hens, cockerels to aquarium fish, and it was only he who could dare to drive all night on his mobike from Jalandhar to Dehradun!

He was passionate about everything that he did, whether it was professional army competetions, weight training or playing squash. Comradierie was never bettter personified; we invariably bought identical things,had similar opinions,likes/dislikes, had almost the same attitude.

After the tenure at Jalandhar Atul was posted to 20 RR in November 2000.( RR tenure is a counter insurgency operations). His wife Urmila was carrying their son Anirudh and Atul was saving his leave to be with her at the required time. No one could have imagined that he will not be able to reach his wife and son. While chasing insurgents in a operation, he was hit by enemy bullets.

From right- 2/Lt Atul Ghildiyal, Major Parladh Singh and 2/Lt Ashwani Saini (self) at MFFR (Rajasthan)
The young brigade of the Mighty Third during Centenary Celebrations(from left)Lt Kailash Bisht,Lt Arun Chaubey,Capt A Bannerjee (RMO),Capt Ashwani Saini (self),Capt Atul Ghildiyal and Lt Vinay.

Major Atul Ghildiyal laid down his life fighting insurgents on 18 January 2003. He was awarded 'Sena Medal' for Gallantary (posthomously).Homage can be paid to Major Atul Ghildiyal by clicking here.