The GOC, the Crystal Glass and the “Naala” Water
The GOC, the Crystal Glass and the “Naala” Water Some army memories are forged in battles and exercises. Others are born around a bukhari, a steaming plate of momos and, occasionally, an innocent question that leaves everyone holding their breath. They say in the Army, prepare for the worst and hope for the best . But there are occasions when even the best preparation cannot save you from an unexpected answer. One such episode goes back to 1993–94 , when I was posted as the Officer Commanding an EME workshop at Chungthang in North Sikkim , providing technical support to a Mountain Brigade headquartered at Lachen. Chungthang was then a small, remote hamlet, about 95 kilometres from Gangtok, tucked away in the mountains at the confluence of the Lachen Chu and Lachung Chu, which together form the Teesta. The road beyond Chungthang climbed towards Chatten, Thangu and the high-altitude frontier. In those days, a convoy travelling from Gangtok could take most of the day, and the ...