LIVING WITH EX NDA

FOR THOSE UNSUSPECTING YOUNG THINGS MARRYING AN EX NDA !!

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Courtsey ~ SUGANDHA  THAKRAN

LIVING WITH AN EX-NDA....A BEGINNER'S GUIDE

I have been surrounded by ex-NDA officers for as long as I can remember. My father, my brother, and now my husband and father-in-law too. All products ofthat fine establishment, the maker of men – the National Defence Academy. Inthe course of my life among these officers and gentlemen, I have come to some conclusions. Conclusions which could prove priceless advice for some naïve young thing about to get associated with a man from above said breed.

To start with, there's the Squadron. One of the fifteen first alphabets expanded into their telegraphic full form, to which each ex-NDA swears undying loyalty.A fellow in arms who belonged to the same squadron at any point of time since the inception of the Academy is a buddy. Needless to say, the senior among the two 'Squadron types' is obliged to favour the junior with more liberty than hewould have otherwise received. Always remember your ex-NDA's squadron, it's traditions, it's strengths (it never had any weaknesses) and the names of his Divisional Officers or DivOs. Never, ever criticize anything even remotely connected with his squadron unless you want to earn an instant battle or frigidsilence, depending on the temperament of the man. His squadron is the supreme body of the supreme establishment which made him a man.

 

Next is the matter of hierarchy. There are many approaches to establishing the pecking order, which is never vulgarly obvious, but sacred nonetheless. "He'sfrom the twentieth course, man! Way, way beyond our league.", "Oh, he was justan OC", "He's a General- both times discipline", "Swimming Blazer. Did thePeacock Bay on campfire night for the tipsy", "Arrey yaar, he's a RIMCO. He'llget it done through his network.". Make yourself familiar with the terminology and never get confused between a course and a term. Remember his place in the hierarchy and along with him, sneer at those below and display appropriate awe towards those above.

 

Of all the physical events at the NDA, the two most dissected and rehashed by allex-NDAs nostalgically are the Cross Country race and Swimming. No matter if he was a cross country medalist or a dead sinker, your man will never tire of discussing each visit to the pool and the usual six cross country races inexcruciating detail. Listen with wide eyed interest and remember the best enclosure he ever achieved. Never, ever, ever compare your Asian Games gold medal in decathalon with his cross country participation. Never. A crosscountry in which he participated was sacred and at least one cadet died in the race during at least one of his six terms. You could never have died doing a shitty decathalon.

 

Term privileges are hard won freedoms which differ from one ex-NDA to another,depending on his Squadron. He will often use the same principle in the disciplining of his children. If it worked for the kids there, why not for his own? And trust me, it usually does… So if the man doesn't take you for that long awaited movie just because you sewed the button on the wrong side of thecuff, forgive him. That sort of logic is only his training speaking. Likewise,he will also understand the principle of extra privileges and with holding privileges in your dealing with him.

 

Like all establishments, the NDA has its own jargon. OC is not the Officer Commanding like you would imagine, and FL is not Fairy Lights. GCI is not General Cleanliness Inspection and Cabin Cupboard is not a piece of furniturein a cosy little cottage. Patti Parade is not first aid practice and Fall In isnot the opposite of a Fall Out. Bewildering though this unique language of the Ex-NDA may seem to you, never display any sign of scorn or boredom. Unless you want to be left out at every occasion when he meets a brother, pick up theterminology as quickly as you can. It is not too difficult. Most Ex-NDAs only need subtle encouragement to start a class.

 

And last, but most important of all, never underestimate the power of 'Tipsy Pudding'. This one sweet factor to the life of an Ex-NDA cadet is like ambrosiaon a parched tongue. Don't even think of trying to whip it up in your kitchen,and take comfort in the fact that even the Queen's kitchen cannot produce theitem which he will accept as the 'real' Tipsy Pudding. No. The only real TipsyPudding is the one he licked off his filthy fingers out of a half full'pateela' in which one of his course mates stood knee-deep in fruits, nuts,cream and rum soaked cake, ladling out the treasure with his bare hands. If you have understood the passion which drove those young boys trembling on the brinkof manhood and accept with a philosophical shrug that somewhere deep down, thatboy is crystallized in his Tipsy driven optimism, then you will have noproblems. For only a man who can doggedly claw his way through three years ofweathering will surely in the light of your acceptance, stay doggedly by yourside....!!!!

 

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