FAUJI LIFE-10 - DINNER NIGHT

FAUJI LIFE-10  - DINNER NIGHT

A  Dinner Night is a parade, as stiff as any military parade.  Originally designed to keep the British Officers out of mischief, it achieved the same purpose post-independence. It also helped to keep the Mess staff up-skilled. It was essential in the days when Officers married late and the strength of single/dinning In members was always 6-10. Things have changed over the years. Fewer officers, advent of TV , Social media and expanded commitments. Those were days of White/Blue Patrols ( Summer/Winter Mess Dress) and General Sundarjee had not yet introduced the 6B.  

1. On the first call by the bugler we trooped into the mess in white patrols and shinning wellingtons, the field offrs donning their spurs.  . The seating plan and the music programme were prominently displayed on polished silver stands in the Mess Porch. A round of drinks followed. On a signal from the PMC " Mess Call" was sounded by the bugler. We had fifteen minutes to finish our drinks. The  Officers then trooped into the dinning hall to stand behind their respective seats awaiting the arrival of the Guest escorted by the CO or the Co himself, in the absence of a guest. The President Mess Committee (PMC), normally the second-in-command was the  President and he sat at the head of the table and Mr Vice at the other end. Mr Vice was nominated well in advance and was normally the Junior most officer.

2. The Table,  of rose wood that could seat 32 in an extended mode, with chairs to match. All polished to a mirror finish. Three silver table chandeliers  were placed at equal distance on the table, their five small bulbs and dainty red shades creating halo of light on the silverware. Between the chandeliers  were exquisite pieces of silver all shining, Maharaja Hira Singh of Nabha, Sikh Brigade Revolver Match trophy, and the Japanese Bowl with the dragon wrapped around it. On the diner side of the table ran a runner all along the length, of spotless white damask over a serge base. The table settings were mounted on these two runner with individual name plate of each diner. The silver cutlery arranged sequentially, the glasses , all three arranged as per their turn and the kidney side  plates aligned perfectly. The Guest sat in the center with the CO to his left. As we all settled in the the first bit of music and soup service commenced. As the guest finished his soup we closed our plated and the music stopped, cue for the waiters to clear the plates and serve the main course in fresh plates. In between wine was served as per the course. All done silently on tip toes by a team of Four liveried waiters, led by Hav Ramchander and Nk Milkhi Ram. The service always clockwise starting from the guest and Officer seated across the table from him. Two dishes at a time, the main course normally consisted of a minimum of four dishes. A meat course, sauted vegetables, a salad, cutlets and Mashed potatoes. The dinner rolls and butter passed around.  The plates were cleared after the main course followed by placing of fresh plates for the dessert. 

3. After the famous King George Pudding followed,( which may soon be called Rashtrapati ka Mahamahim Halwa), after which the table was cleared. Crumbs were cleared with a set of ivory handled silver scoop and silver tray. Then came the piece de resistance.. clearing of the runners from the table. Hav Ram Chander & NK Milkhi Ram stood on opposite ends of the table, and with deft movements laterally folded the runner along its length. They repeated the process on the other runner.  Hav Ramchander now stands behind one runner and Nk Milkhi Ram on the Opposite side with the other runner. All this while the Mess Havaldar, who was standing behind the Guest, departs after saluting. Suddenly, there is pitch darkness as lights go off. They come back on, in a flash. All that on sees is that both Hav Ramchander & Nk Milkhi Ram are standing with the runner on their extended arms. In the darkness they had wisked the runners off the table. The shinning table is bare except for the toast glasses. Decanters appear at the two ends of the table and are passed around.   Once all the glasses are filled  the Vice President, taps the table with a mallet that had been placed by his side, before raising, to say, "Mr Vice the President". All rise and raise their soft drink/water filled glasses as the last strains of the National anthem are played. All raise their glasses saying " To the President' the toast is drunk to the health of the Rashtrapati, and seats resumed. Decanters of  Sherry are then passed around. Two Pipers come marching in,  play their music while circumventing the diners, after they leave the CO's Piper returns and is offered a large of Rum ( in  a silver dragon wrapped silver glass). He announces his "Sat Sari Akal" drains the glass and departs playing COs favourite music. 

4. The dinner night was finally over, officers moved to the anteroom before they dispersed. 

Great Memories

ब्रिगेडियर नरेन्द्र ढंड
Brig Narinder Dhand

FAUJI LIFE-10 - DINNER NIGHT ****************** NO QR CODE **************************

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