44 years on, veterans reminisce life in Army at event in Chandigarh

Forty-four years after they stepped out of the Officers Training Academy as newly commissioned Second Lieutenants, veterans of the batch congregated at Chandigarh for a reunion to reminisce their shared trials, triumphs and the indomitable spirit that bonded them as course mates. A memorial ceremony was organised to pay tributes to their fallen comrades

The veterans, hailing from various regiments and backgrounds, were not only connected by their military training but also by the honour and courage they exhibited during their service. Many among them had been decorated for their acts of bravery.

Among them was Capt Sushanta Kumar Sathpathy, who was awarded the Shaurya Chakra for conducting multiple raids on terrorists’ hideouts in insurgent prone areas. On December 27, 1981 he captured two hard-core Peoples' Liberation Army members and recovered from them a large quantity of ammunition and extremist literature.

“The Army moulded us into not just soldiers, but leaders. We were taught the values of courage, integrity, and selflessness, which became the bedrock of our service. The friendships we forged during those days have remained steadfast over the years,” Brig Jatinder Singh Arora (retd), said.

“Time may have passed but the bond we share remains as strong as ever. It is essential for us to come together, not just to relive our shared experiences, but also to support one another in our lives after the military. This reunion has rejuvenated our spirits,” Col NK Sharma (retd) said.