This piece by Brig Neil John was penned down by him in Jan 2020 when Gen Naravane assumed the appointment of COAS.
It relates to the period when Brig Neil John was posted as a Directing Staff at the Naval War College, Goa and had the onerous responsibility of hosting a batch of 25 high ranking officers who were detailed to attend the senior officer’s course called the core programme.
Gen Naravane happened to be in that batch. The experiences and observations that Neil John had while hosting this batch were penned down by him when Gen Naravane was appointed as the COAS .This interesting story will surely attract keen readers.
It was a beautiful season in Goa, where tourists were flocking in to enjoy the macchi curry rice ... sorro (daru) ... watching skimpy clad Russian women ... enjoying the Mamba beats and rolling in the sand ... soaking in the sun and letting the waves build memories that would endear through a lifetime.
Posted to the Naval War College at Goa in the Naval Higher Command wing as directing staff, I get a call from the commandant, Rear Admiral Monty Khanna. A man that I hold as one of the best that I have served with, intelligence that enraptured the audience and unfailing commitment to the cause of gaining experience and knowledge. ...pepper hair ... and extreme fitness youngsters can’t even dream off. Still remember his words with a wry serious smile, when course students complained about not having adequate time ... “gentlemen it is your time vs. experiences that you will gain here with me as commandant, if you think you have come here for time and fun... then you have come to the wrong place... until I am the commandant ... this institute will commit itself to sanctifying your being here with opportunities and wisdom” .... but this story is not about him ... he will come up in my next writing ... so let me continue about that call to me... as I walked into his office... he lifted his stern, straight and tiny frame off his chair and said ... Neil, I want you to look after the CORE PROGRAM ... a program that incorporates higher understanding on a wide range of subjects, to senior military officers including civilians working for governments, to be conducted for a week. I hope you can take care of it.
Bayen haath ka khel... I heard myself say to myself ... and promptly committed ... Will be done, sir ... leave it to me, and as I walked back to my office, it hit me ... 25 high ranking officers ... freaking hell ... all feeling as young as possible ... that too a program in Goa ... many of them Coursemates, gawd anyone who knows what the term coursemates means also would know how they behave when together ... reminiscing through old training days ... the instructors ... fellow cadets ... the women they eyed .... bosses that need cursing .... and things they regret not doing .... and then they hear the music in the back ground saying .... now is the time boy ... do it finally while the testosterone still exists ... it’s going to be all ... ah! Ha! and hic! ... all potential next rank enablers... meri to vat lag gayi ...
I start chalking out my checklist, too many protocol issues ... tri services ... course content, identifying contemporary subjects of interest and application, and then deciding how to conduct it .... seminar or talks?.... seniority of the generals ... contact numbers... present formations they are posted in etc etc ...
Peak rush time in Goa, the Naval War College does not have the accommodation to cater for so many officers. The Higher Command course is already on. Dilemma and problems hitting me a dime a dozen. I tell myself ... abey Neil saans le ... sab kuch ho jayega ... now it’s easy to get a programme made and identify the speakers thanks to the internet. But reaching them can be such a bloody muddle ... like a mail to the Indian NSA or so, I thought, got a prompt response from the NSA of the United States ... as willing to come and address the core gathering ... maa ki aankh ... how did this happen ? Saala email id hi aisa tha... now
contact with a foreign national without informing the commandant would go down badly. But Monty Khanna the perfectionist he was ... almost sprang up from his seat and exclaimed in excruciating joy(at that time I couldn’t comprehend whether he was happy or in pain, because the way he sprang was almost like some bug had bitten the admiral in an unreachable scratch spot) ... WHAT? NSA USA! ... I said yes, sir ... and at that moment, I had doubts whether he was feeling rather proud of me or cursing his judgment for having selected me as his success story.
a toll ... the ladies need to be ferried too ... I send the busses back to the hotel to take the ladies to Chorao island thinking to Myself that by the time the day’s session ends I would be able to manage vehicles.... but alas !
The Goans prevail ... their holiday comes first ... they need that nishtey kori (fish curry) and feni .... cars report on an emergency, and I have to reject some cause of the drivers being a bit too high spirited.... and telling me hum sahab logon ko asli Goa ghumayega.... no way .... I know what they mean.... ha ha.... The session ends 23 officers 11 cars ... I have a situation here, clubbing two per car.... as I humorously manage and explain the problem ... I see their fancy towards me dwindling. Wives arrive.... and I am so jacked now ... everyone wants a car. I am trying my best ... and having ensured that most of them are comfortable...
I am still left with two couples. The commandant offers one couple his car, there is one couple left and that’s Gen Naravane and the lady, I rush seeing there is no scope for another vehicle, get out my car from the garage, a brand new XUV 8 fully loaded ... having done only 300 km from the dealer to me ... and stop in front of the couple ... who haven’t flinched or shown irritation or discomfort ... I get down and apologise and proudly offer to drive them to the hotel. The General smiles assuringly and says Neil. I am sure you have a lot to sort out here, if you drive me, who will? For the first time I heave a sigh of relief and like a small kid say ... sir, please take my car cause finding a driver will take time. The general and his wife just smile ever so warmly and what he said next makes me proud even today ... I quote ‘Neil I like your spirit, always keep the flag of the olive greens flying high... and the lady pats me on the shoulder and says ... PROUD OF YOU’ ... he doesn’t take my car, and as if it was the heavens opening up, a stray car arrives ... no star plates ... no flag ... the general with his signature calm ... sees the look on my face and says ... don’t you worry ... as I salute him and see him off ...
The programme is ending, and I collect the feedback forms and everyone mentions more tying up required with the transport .... and while most say an excellent stay etc ... Gen Naravane pens ... congratulations to a very educative and fine program .... I find the general and his spouse at home ... caught us with complete surprise ... they could have been sitting on the beach.... but they were there with a gift for my wife Enid ... something he need not have done or need not even think of ... but among all of them that attended only, he acknowledged the hard work ... the Gen and his wife gave us an opportunity to witness what a gentleman and a army wife stand for ... they were there on their own accord and so humble in their conduct ... that as they left ... I told myself ... Neil, you have learnt your lesson for life ... ON HUMILITY AND BEING GENUINE FROM WITHIN ....
I pen this story not to relive old times but to respect the man who has risen this far on hard work and an indomitable Spirit with maturity being the hallmark. That’s why I don’t call him THE CHIEF.... in this case without a doubt, he is MY CHIEF.
About the Author
Brig Neil John,SM , was commissioned in 69 Armd Regt and CO 8 Lt Cavalry . Was instructor in five prestigious institutes, viz:- School of Armd Warfare,MITS, AWC, NWC& DSSC .Was Cdr of a Strategic Forces Brigade . Commissioned in 1992, when the Punjab problem was at its peak. He chose to leave prematurely after successfully handling his area of operations during Manipur crises.
A prolific writer who was never afraid to articulate his views after careful research. Has served in Israel and Syria in UN Disengagement Observation Force.
A recipient of six awards - SM (Gallantry) in J& K, 5 GOC in C commendations.
Brig Neil John
Email ID - nj14manoj@yahoo.com
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