GET UP, WALK & RUN

Lying on the Military Hospital (MH) Bed, there was only one dream in the mind of the teenaged Cadet. He somehow wanted to get up, walk and run. The couple of years gone by had seen him going through ups and now the deep trough of his life’s fortune had arrived. The life had taken a downward spiral and nothing good seemed to be happening to him. The last high point in his life was a selection to the prestigious National Defence Academy. Since then, the tough routine and now the fatal spinal injury had rendered him into a semi-vegetable state. As he lay motionless on his damaged back and stinging feeling of drying plaster around his head, neck and back, he did not know what lay ahead. The friendly military doctor explained to him about the Minerva Cast which he had put on him. He explained to him that it was an orthopedic cast applied to the trunk and head, with spaces cut out for the face and ears. The section encasing the trunk extends to the sternum and the distal rib border anteriorly and across the distal rib border posteriorly. The cast will ensure to immobilize the head and part of the trunk in the treatment of his cervical injuries. This was the best option for the young Cadet since he had not yet signed for a recommended operation.

The drying Plaster of Paris was pushing itself towards the skin of the Cadet. He had no option but to let the moisture dry up and settle inside his new upper body suit. After all, this was the best option till he made up his mind to give consent for the operation. He had no one to fall back to for an advice as his father had passed away just 02 months ago and he did not want to send another bad news back home to the fragile environment. These were the days of a conflict that the Indian Army was fighting in the neighboring island nation. The wards were full to the brim with wounded and hurt soldiers and Officers. Finding a place to park the spinal injury case was not becoming easy for the MH. Finally, he was wheeled into a barrack ward where young Officers from the battle field were fighting for their respective recoveries.

The Cadet’s arrival arose great curiosity among the war veterans. All those who could walk/move, came to his bed to enquire about his well-being and how he managed such an injury. His immediate neighbors were Sub Lieutenant (SLT) Jogi whose lower body had been run over by a truck as his bike skidded and Captain Joe who had been grievously injured in the conflict. Jogi had gone through many days at MH as he fought for a recovery to claim his wings to fly again. He inquired the Cadet’s story in great detail and advised him to begin his fight for a complete recovery, but, without a surgery. After all no one will be able to bind you like God did, said Jogi Sir to the Cadet. A limp right arm and a not so responsive right leg were adding to the hurt and the pain of the Cadet. The instructions were to keep the Cadet straight in the bed till the Minerva Cast settled into its position. The vegetable’s state can only be understood in those restrictive circumstances.

The first night at the MH was desolate as pains and injuries caused moans and hurts. The pain killers brought temporary relief and the effect died down by mid night as the supper time dinner at MH also lost its relevance in the churning stomach. The agony had raised its ugly head in the most discourteous manner. The only option left was to bear/fight the agony, hurt and anger.

The next morning, SLT Jogi and Captain Joe sat next to the Cadet and saw him being helped by the medical assistants to carry out the morning ablution activities. It was a difficult experience as the body had to be kept in a position where the back injury did not aggravate. The Minerva Cast was now drier and sticking closer to the body. Its material had started causing an itch on the skin and the breathing was not becoming easy either as lungs could not be expanded fully. The existence itself was now raising questions in the young mind. Jogi and Joe kept their friendly banter to swing up the fledgling morale. The ward visit by the panel of Doctors added fire to the pressure as the spinal surgery was considered the possible option. Jogi and Joe maintained the same stance of staying away from the surgery. You have fought your war and now do not aggravate your present condition, was the mantra by Jogi and Joe. The Cadet had not much option and the limp right hand was not aiding him either in his decision for a surgery. The moments started ticking by and the days started moving. The war machine kept sending new entrants into the ward and Jogi-Joe combination stuck next to the Cadet.

A week passed by, the Cadet had not given his concurrence for the surgery and neither had anyone arrived from his home to watch over him. He was wheeled for an X-Ray to check the position of his injury. He could hear someone breathing next to his stretcher. Through the corners of his pupils he saw another Officer lying on his back and waiting for his turn for the X-Ray. The wishes were exchanged and he was lying next to Flt Lt MP Anil Kumar, who was paralyzed from neck downwards. MP Anil Kumar had crashed against a barrier whilst riding his bike and had been rendered in a vegetable state since then. Sharing their experiences, MP Anil Kumar wished the Cadet all the luck and stated that he was fortunate as his half body was still performing as per his brain’s diktat. Do not go for the surgery and fight with your will power was the mantra from the fighter pilot MP Anil Kumar. Jogi, Joe and soothing words from MP Anil Kumar became the fuel for the warring mind and the fight began for getting up, walking and running.

Visits by course-mates and friends brought solace and the pains started disappearing inside the mind’s cranium crevices. There is no gain without pain, announced Major Pandey who had been wheeled in with a mutilated leg from the conflict. His larger than life persona and will to drive the car in spite of a shattered right leg was indomitable. Shall we go to MG Road tonight was his constant challenge. Jogi had started teaching Bridge to the Cadet lying straight on his back. The challenge of understanding the terms of Bridge and joining the “Wounded Warriors Gang” to MG Road renewed the challenge of survival. The will to get up, walk and run had now started churning the Cadet’s mind and Jogi-Joe combination was sensing it to the hilt.

03 months had passed and Jogi got a soft ball from his out-pass visit. He handed the ball to the limp right hand of the Cadet and told him to continue to hold it. The feeling of holding the ball in the hand gave a kick to the brain which was busy wiring up into a new role. The fingers curled up to the ball and the ball stayed in the hand. Each day Jogi and Joe would now start experimenting with the Cadet’s hand and he was smiling yet again. The Doctors had by now stopped talking about the surgery and worked on a possible discharge from the military training procedure. The God gifted body would remain intact, Jogi chuckled as the Doctor left after the morning rounds. The subsequent checks revealed that the broken bones had started showing calcium growths and the sensations on the right part of the body were returning. The slow march to partial recovery had started.

The ward would turn into celebration as any one member showed signs of recovery. Now it was the time of the Cadet to show the recovery. 05 months had gone by and the life without a proper bath and shave was not bothering the Cadet as it was now the ritual. The young Doctor treating the Cadet was also watching the excitement building up in the Ward as the wounded warriors waited for the celebration. He ordered the Cadet’s bed to be raised so that he could be elevated to see what lay ahead of him. After 05 months of lying on his back, it was a welcome change and the first sight of a small garden outside raised his spirits for a get up, walk and run phase of life. Each day a new movement began as the things started moving and one fine day, the Cadet stood up with his Minerva Cast. Small steps of that day cleared two stages of the Get Up and Walk part of the rehabilitation programme.

The Doctors on round applauded as the young Doctor made the Cadet walk and the ‘Wounded Warriors Gang” celebrated the day with a Cake cutting ceremony. The laughter had returned back to the life. A bout of food poisoning in the Ward led to the hastening of the Minerva Cast removal but not before the only Camera with 02 shots left was utilized to click a momentous picture. Finally, the full body bath procedure was followed after 06 months. The hair were trimmed short, beard shaved and the new face emerged. Jogi and Joe were the happiest and the evening was well spent in the MH Open Movie Theater. Life started galloping and soon the body got back into the Run mode to complete the GET UP, WALK & RUN circuit.

The Run phase has its beautiful charms. Each run on the life’s roads brings forth new challenges and the milestones achieved provide satisfaction at the end. No human life can be considered complete unless the stages of Get Up, Walk and Run are not completed. Each one of us goes through these phases during the span of our lives and it is up to us if we abort any stage in between or just do not complete the span. A life well lived involves all these phases and there can be no escape from their vagaries. The toughest part of the game lies in getting up. Walking comes naturally to humans and so is running. If we convert all our life’s challenges into these 3 phases and ensure that we get up, the rest would be sweet history. A bit of struggle here or there is a part of the game and no one wins unless an attempt is made.

So, whatever you are onto, whatever be the game, however hard maybe the struggle, just GET UP, WALK & RUN. Meet the challenge head on and fight to live for the next challenge. 

   

STAMP YOUR FEET HARDER

The Autumn Term had begun at the National Defence Academy. The rejuvenated Cadets were trickling into the Academy portals and excitedly looking forward to the new Term and to meet their Brothers-in-Arms. The almost salubrious climes of Pune were witnessing the changes of weather. The climate was changing and the summer had been giving indications of its harshness. The training Officers and their team had devised a new methodology of getting the best out of their Cadets. It was decided that the Drill Practice would be in peak afternoon followed by a practice cross –country run in the drill boots!! The idea was to strengthen the legs of the Cadets and on the final day of the Cross Country, the Cadets of the Squadron would be able to fly wearing the lighter version running shoes. It is a well-known military tactic to train harder in peace and consequently bleed lesser in war.

The new training sequence was planned well but the human bodies take their own time to adjust to the rigors of physical pressure modifications. The new term also saw the joining in of a new Drill Instructor (Drill Ustaad), Lance Naik (L/Nk) Diwan Singh Danu. The first looks of the affable Kumaoni were pleasant and he had replaced the tough task master Company Havildar Major (CHM) Girdhari Lal of the Grenadiers Regiment. CHM Girdhari Lal was an epitome of fitness and personal conduct. He would ensure that the Cadets would deliver their best and he would himself take great pride in demonstrating drill movements of great finesse and energy. Girdhari Lal had moved on posting and L/Nk Diwan Singh Danu had replaced him in our Squadron.

The first day of the new term began on a somber note as the Squadron began its training activities. Post lunch, the Cadets mustered into the Squadron Parade Ground and the training team took its positions. L/Nk Diwan Singh Danu had a sun burnt face and crow lines were sketching across his eyes. His veins stood out in his hands and his creased Uniform matched each angle of the Indian Army’s decorum. Fit as a fiddle, L/Nk Diwan Singh Danu came across as an ideal replacement of CHM Girdhari Lal. 150+ Cadets stood on the compact Squadron Parade Ground and L/Nk Diwan Singh Danu commenced the drill training. The heat of the atmosphere and the heat of closely maneuvering human bodies started building up to its crescendo. Soon, the starched Khakis were wet with sweat and the metabolism inside the human bodies was burning the lunch at double the pace to meet the energy level demands.

The sharp eyes of L/Nk Diwan Singh picked out various categories of Cadets and he gauged their efficiency levels. Quiet in his demeanor and efficient in his moves, he himself moved with the Squadron adding his tips to strugglers and appreciating the swift movers. Military drill is an art and when done with precision, it is a treat to watch. The mind coordinates the movements of the body in an effortless fashion and the erect postures bring out the best performance from the military folks. It is also a form of rigorous exercise and if done with passion, it can rejuvenate the human body and soul. Diwan Singh turned out to be a participative trainer. He would complete the drill class and then be available on his bicycle to join the Cadets for the run in the drill boots.

The first week of run in the drill boots immediately after drill class post lunch started taking its toll on the Cadets. The strong ones completed the routine like a clockwork, the middle ones completed the chore with some strain and the weaker ones/the fresh Cadets struggled to cope up with the grind. The long term idea was to strengthen by training hard in the beginning and then to reap the fruit on the day of the competition. The pain in human bodies had started visiting and each day, a couple of Cadets went down with various types of body aches and stress pains. Sloan’s Balm started spreading its aroma in the Squadron corridors and the crepe bandages started showing on shins and other parts of legs. The fighters had started struggling with the new concept.

The ever watchful Diwan Singh had by now got well versed with the Squadron and knew each Cadet’s strengths and weaknesses. He too sweated with the Squadron and was never found slow in his moves or sluggish in his approach. The tiring out Cadets were now making the tail of the Squadron a bit longer each day during the run. The training Officers were looking a bit worried as the strategy was boomeranging on their plans. The final day was a couple of weeks away and the Squadron was struggling to keep bare minimum competition strength on to the circuit. The bench strength was rising. Diwan Singh Danu was now a worried man too.

On that day, the Cadets went about with the drill and many had reached their tipping point. Maybe, many of us had peaked earlier than expected and many were struggling to cope with their shin pains et. al. The drill practice was sluggish and not like the requisite clockwork. L/Nk Diwan Singh Danu was still performing at his peak and stamped harder in each move. The class came to an end and it was time for the Drill Ustaad‘s pep talk. Diwan Singh spoke passionately about his drill training, the achievement of the famed Drill Ustaad’s qualification and subsequent posting to the Academy. He spoke with passion, zeal and tried to motivate everyone to overcome their pains. A hapless Cadet just let his emotions out and shared the vows of his now pulpy shins. The pain was all in the mind, said L/Nk Diwan Singh and exhorted Cadets to stamp the feet harder to train the body to a tougher level. The argument built up as the new experiment theory was being challenged. This was the time that Diwan Singh took off his shoes and showed his feet to the Squadron. The sun burnt face never did reveal what Diwan Singh had undergone. Both his toes were sans 3 fingers as the frost bite in the Glacier (The Highest Battlefield) had eaten his feet. The posting to the Academy was due and he was not being given a Squadron due to his physical inability. The affable L/Nk Diwan Singh wanted to perform his job as a Drill Ustaad and not on a desk. His fighter’s attitude got him one chance to perform with the Squadron and he was stamping his feet harder than anyone around.

The mere sight of those feet, the sun burnt face, the crow lines and Diwan Singh’s pep talk pushed the fight into the Cadet’s minds. The Fighter’s spirit was rekindled and the Squadron got invigorated. Each cadet came out the next day with a rekindled challenge and the human machines started operating again in tandem. The strategy was tested at its peak and the results came out 2 weeks later. The Cadets fought well and the Squadron rose up in position from the last term’s performance. The upward climb had begun and the results from here on were put on the rising graph mode.

In all human endeavors, the energy levels vary from one grid point to the other. Some humans have the capability to keep their energies focused and keep achieving their aims. Some are not so fortunate, lose out steam and go down into the annals of their life as ‘also participated’ variants. On the final day, each one of us gets an equal opportunity to showcase our strengths. On the practice days, all of us have almost equal opportunity to hone and sharpen our skills. All humans are not made equals and our brains are wired differently. However, when the challenge is common, then the practice has to be challenge specific. The legs and shins may pain, but when the drill is common, the feet have to rise up together and come down together in a synchronous motion. In a clubbed movement, the prize is common. In an individual movement, the stakes are personal prizes and gains.

There is no gain without pain and gains earned by sweat and toil bring everlasting happiness. The spirit of the competition rises as well trained humans participate to win. The winner does take it all but all others must stamp their feet harder to keep the competition alive. Do not worry about the pain as the smell of the victory wipes off the harsh training. Just stamp your feet harder and do not give up till the target is met. So, go on, stand up, put on your shoes and just stamp your feet harder. Will you?