The Middle

The author, a former Army Major, recalls using a Royal Enfield Bullet as a ropeway to transport supplies and personnel after a landslide in North Sikkim in 1996. The innovation, crucial for military and civilian aid, earned him recognition and fostered solidarity. The author connects this memory to a current experience.

Pens, once symbols of learning and identity, are fading due to technology's rise. The author recalls a 'Penwala' who embodied the era of handwriting. While acknowledging the convenience of technology, the author values the discipline and reflection pens fostered, advocating for their continued use for meaningful expression.

A neighborhood night watchman silently protected residents, receiving minimal appreciation. While diligently performing his duties despite non-payment and criticism, he faced indifference. The loudest critics often contributed the least. True humanity is shown by treating those who serve us with respect.

The Deputy Director General, known for indecipherable handwriting and extreme focus, was a source of amusement in the Army Headquarters. His colleagues predicted his actions, particularly forgetting permissions granted. His handwritten drafts presented a daily challenge, and even he couldn't decipher them after a short time.

A Hindu woman and a Muslim man, both adults, were in a live-in relationship. Her family, accusing him of abduction and illegal conversion, complained to the police. The woman denied conversion and marriage, stating she chose the relationship, leaving her parents distraught.

Soldiers stationed in a border area observed local superstitions, including reverence for 'Pir Baba' shrines. The author recounts the evolution of one shrine at Thanda Pani, initially a simple hut, becoming a significant site after the 1971 war, believed to ensure safety and career success. He eventually succumbed to the practice.

The author reminisces about childhood summers spent pickling mangoes with her grandmother, highlighting it as a cherished family ritual. The act of pickling symbolizes connection, memory, and the enduring love passed down through generations of women, even after the grandmother's passing.

Trekking to Tiger's Nest Monastery proved challenging for the author's family, especially his injured wife, who struggled during the descent in darkness. Encouragement, help from their son, and a gift of fruit from Buddhist monks aided their return, making the experience feel transcendent.

The author recalls a time he sprinted to be on time for a military parade, emphasizing the importance of punctuality as a core value. He condemns lateness and its impact, advocating for discipline exemplified by Fauja Singh, the marathon runner.

Language in Maharashtra is politically charged and a source of cultural pride, fostering strict adherence to Marathi. Conversely, Himachal embraces linguistic diversity, with numerous dialects changing rapidly and encouraging a more inclusive, less judgmental approach to communication and understanding.

A trip from Yamunanagar to Jaipur became a comical adventure driven by persistent billboards. The travelers were lured by enticing advertisements, leading them to impulsive purchases and food stops. They abandoned their initial plans, experiencing a highway-themed commercial spectacle instead.

Indians favor bucket-and-mug bathing, a tradition the author brought to postings abroad. This preference, sometimes critical for survival like in Kabul, even puzzled Russians during a Prime Minister's visit, highlighting cultural differences.

Déjà vu experiences, a feeling of prior familiarity with a new experience, are frequent for the author. These moments, including musical talent and navigation of unfamiliar places, challenge the boundaries of experience. While often explained neurologically, the author views them as a nudge toward a deeper, less understood realm.

The scent of petrichor evokes cherished memories of childhood spent in a large family's courtyard. Shared meals, games, and celebrations thrived in the space, fostering a strong sense of community. The author treasures these moments of connection and love.

Astronauts use music to calm nerves before spaceflight, a tradition exemplified by Gp Capt Shukla's choice of 'Yun hi chala chal' from 'Swades.' The author recounts a similar experience in Sudan, where the movie and its songs, like 'Swades,' provided comfort and a connection to home.

The author visited Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's ancestral house in Karamsad, now a museum. The museum features photos of Patel's life. The author reflects on Patel's legacy, including his role in unifying India and the lack of a memorial at Birla Bhawan, and celebrates Patel's birth anniversary.

A cherished glass with a crack was kept despite the flaw. Its owner ignored the damage and continued using it, associating it with love. Eventually, it shattered, spilling its contents. The experience led to a realization: flawed relationships, like cracked glasses, ultimately break under pressure, wasting love.

ON flights around the world, we come across all kinds of passengers. After all, people embark on journeys for myriad reasons. While we forget most of our co-passengers, some end up making a place in our hearts. Some years ago,...

Golfers faced a wasp swarm during an afternoon round. One player's panicked movements agitated the wasps, leading to stings. The incident triggered memories of past wasp encounters and a business magnate's fatal bee sting. They resumed playing after first aid.

In the 1970s, a battalion fought insurgents in Nagaland, using Jessami as its HQ. They sought to capture the underground leader Hurie in Phek. A local informant signaled Hurie's presence by extinguishing the church light. A large operation ensued, but Hurie was not found. The informant claimed drunkenness, leaving the unit uncertain of his loyalty.

In 1975, Jayaprakash Narayan (JP) was detained at Chandigarh's PGI for medical care during the Emergency. Medical staff faced security scrutiny while treating him. He was briefly moved to a guest house but his health declined. Released on parole, he humorously thanked the staff before departing for Delhi.

A woman recounts her enduring struggle: her husband prioritizes rest, leaving her overburdened with household and childcare responsibilities. This imbalance, stemming from the mental load, leads to resentment and unequal partnerships. True happiness requires men to share the load, fostering mutual respect and connection.

Escaping the plains' heat, the author journeyed to the hills, taking the Kalka-Shimla railway. The trip included visiting the unfinished Barog tunnel, a monument to Col Barog's failure and suicide. The tunnel symbolizes the weight of responsibility, professional honor, and the cost of high standards in a world that often forgives easily.

The author accompanied Gen. Sundarji on a 1986 trip to the USSR to discuss AEW&CS acquisition. A copy of a Jane's Compendium entry prompted a humorous negotiation. The Soviets initially denied possessing the technology, but eventually agreed to provide India with the first AEW&CS produced in Russia, resulting in a hybrid system of Israeli and American technology.

A patient, facing hernia surgery, contrasts his experiences in a government and private hospital. The government hospital offered impersonal, rushed care, lacking privacy and empathy. The private hospital provided dignity but pressured for expensive treatment. He questions why public healthcare fails to prioritize basic patient respect.