Thum - kaun aata hai
Thum kaun aata hai, dost , pehchaan ke liye aage barho ---------
It was a calm night. The routine challenging procedures would break the calm of night every 15 to 20 minutes. The sentries were alert and the duty Officers, Junior Commissioned Officers were taking their rounds. In general all was well with the Military world on the boarders.
It was chilling in Laddakh with temperatures touching minus 15 degrees that night. I had just reached the the sunken, building with walls made of 'old Jericanes' with mud plaster and roof made of CJI sheets, our Officer's Mess. There were two more officers, both senior to me. Actually at that stage of my career, the complete Indian Army was senior to me. I had been commissioned only a few months ago and this was my first unit. Members of my species existed only to be seen and not to be heard. And hence I was sitting in a make shift bench made of what else ' old Jerricans' - having my drink in a steel glass taking care not to be heard.
There was a loud thud, as the door flung open and the Captain barged in suddenly, and shouted-
Baal baal bach gaye Sir, In Kaanchon ne kar diya tha kaam aaj,
He was referring to Gorkha soldiers.
In dead of Laddakh winters he had sweat on his forehead and was visibly shaken.
Laa bhai ek 'large' laga de jaldi se, - he demanded from the barman and was promptly served one. He gulped it down and asked for another one and lit a cigarette.
Kyaa bhai, you have had a Pow Wow with the Chinese or what ? said one of the officer in the bar.
Are Sir, unse to baad mein nibtenge, agar apne kanchon se bach gaye tab.
What he than narrated is a classic example of Military Communication and its implications, that we have lived with, in the Army, since ages.
The story goes like this,
Our young Capt ( I was a 2nd Lieutenant than) was the duty officer of the day and had been on a routine round to check the sentries at all posts. Now, there were many posts, manned by all units of the Brigade and few of them were 'Gorkha' posts, manned by our simple, but obedient to the T, Gorkhas soldier.
Every thing was going smooth till the Capt reached this particular post manned by an alert, obedient, Gorkha sepoy and the routine challenging procedure started,
Thum kaun aata hai
Dost
Pehchaan ke liye aage barho
The Capt took a step forword
Paas word bataao
Ram
Shyaam, - Theek hai, aa jaao
The challenging procedure having been satisfactorily executed the Capt moved towards the sentry when he was challenged again,
Thum kaun aata hai,
Thoroughly confused and irritated the Capt went through the whole procedure once again.
The 'Gorkha' seemingly satisfied, once again said - 'Theek Hai aa jaao'
And the Captain moved once again.
Thum kaun aata hai
the Gorkha shouted again, - this time readying his rifle to fire.
The Captain was completely confused and asked him,
Maine tum ko abhi do baar Pass word bataaya hai. Tum ko samajh mein nahin aata hai ki mein dost hoon
-- Jee Shaab shamajh aata hai
Phir baar baar challenge quon kar rahe ho,
-- Shaab huqum hai
Kyaa huqum hai, - the Captain was completely pissed off
-- Shaab, Company Havildaar Major ne bola, Teen baar challenge karo , Fire karo
What !!! Abe lekin main to dost hoon, dushman nahin hoon. Captain stared at the rifle pointing at him and ready to fire
-- Wo to pata nahin Shaab, hokum hai ki, Teen baar challenge karo , Fire karo
Sir, bari mushikil se jaan bacha kar aaya hoon us Gorkhe se. Jyadaa behes karta to wo mujhe Tirange mein lapet deta
There was a moment of silence before every one burst out laughing
Thum kaun aata hai shouted a sentry in the distance