Feb 13
February 13 is a date which has a special imprint in the mind and memory of Tejgiri. It was the year1952 on that date Basant Panchami was celebrated in Almora, a small Hill station . Tejgiri was then a student of Government Intermediate college in Almora. He was in the final year of Intermediate Science in Biology Group.It was a holiday . The sky was azure. Sunshine was mellow .Mustard plants had full blossom of beautiful yellow flowers and cool breeze was invigorating . Fruit trees of pomengranate, peaches and Plums were just about to sprout pinkish white flowers on their nude branches..The Magic in the atmosphere was captivating.
Kawi Niwas was then the abode of Tejgiri and his family. It was an archaic house which had a small statue of peacock atop the slated roof,a wooded balcony.a small courtyard with an adjunct platform made of stones. The platform was a place for basking in sun and gossiping. It had commanding view of the Motor road below and small fields terracing down to valley and across that the Mountain range rising up to the horizon .
Tejgiri sat on the platform enthused by the breeze and scent of flowers.He started to survey the panaroma in front of him. The wide mountain range with snow capped magnificient Nandadevi peak on the northern end, curved towards the west and then to the south. Midway to west were the hilltops wearing caps of lush green pine trees.On the invisible slope on the other side the serene town Ranikhet is sited. Moving his eyes to south Tejgiri had Shyahi devi mountain top in view with the temple shining in bright sunshine. Further south was the nose shaped hilltop on the other side of which lay the Nainital – the town of tourists’ dream. Tejgiri fixed his gaze on Shyahi devi and small town Shitalakhet a little below . He was now recalling the memory of his visit to Shitalakhet in autumn of 1951.He reminisced.
Tejgiri had joined PEC(Provincial Education Core-a forerunner of NCC). As a PEC cadet he donned the Khaki for the first time.The uniform supplied to him was loose on his lean frame. He had hoses on the legs with boots and anklets. The shirt and jersey hanged loosely from his thin shoulders .The Knicker was exposing his bamboo thighs. The outfit was somehow tied on his body with a khaki belt. The only article that fitted him was the Forage cap on the head. Donned with the uniform on the first day Tejgiri was a picture of cartoonist’s delight.When he was back at home in his new attire his mother gave him a doting look while his sisters and younger brother wore a mischievous smile on their lips and a bemused look on the faces as if a Cassius stood before them. The Mother did some refitting of the shirt .Jersy remained as it was. Tejgiri continued in PEC with make do of his attire.
A 15 day PEC camp in rural area was to be organised. That was scheduled for October 1951 and Shitalakhet was selected as the venue. District Organiser,a retired Major from the Indian Army called an assembly of PEC cadets of GIC Almora for briefing. At the outset he inspected the get up of each cadet in uniform. He told Tejgiri”Your thighs are looking ugly under your shorts” “Yes Sir”replied Tejgiri adding”I cant change my thighs nor the shorts.Will you kindly supply me khaki Trousers to hide my thighs” The DO glared at Tejgiri and said”
No.Carry on with whatever it is”” OK Sir” responded Tejgiri. Two days later the contingent started for Shitalakhet on foot. It trekked down from Bright end corner – a famous spot of Almora- down to river Kosi in the foothills and then climbed up to Shiltalakhet. A trek of about 16 Kilometres was completed by cadets with haversacks on the back.Soon after the DO also arrived with paraphernalia. Cadets pegged tents for the camp before Nightfall. Thereafter the cadets were asked to assemble for DO’s address. He explained the object and subject of the camp,details of how to go about that and exhorted the cadets to give their best. He then distributed specific miscellaneous duties in addition to Morning Parade and Evening Games. Tejgiri was appointed Police officer of the camp. His duties entailed maintenance of security and discipline in the camp area. Cadets wishing to visit places out of the camp area were required to take prior permission of the Camp Police Officer who had explain to the DO each permission granted by him. This was to be done at daily Admin meeting at 11 a.m. On conclusion of the camp he was awarded a prize for excellent performance of his duties.
Tejgiri returned from the camp with happy memories. Little did he, however, know that destiny has carved out a career in Police later in life for him.
Magic in the atmosphere and sweet memories took Tejgiri over like a heady wine. He had a strange feeling of delight and pleasure inside .He found his lean frame springing and his walk nimble. He moved out and went on a stroll on the pavemented bazar of Almora-from Lalabazar on one end to Paltanbazar on the other. Thence he entered the Cantonment area wherefrom he surveyed the Mountain Range on the East. He Spotted shining tiled roofs of Indian Veterenary Institute of Mukteshwar atop the mountain . Rolling his eyes down his gaze stopped at majestically flowing Suyal river in the valley with music of rustling water reaching his ears. He returned to home late in the evening ,took his meals and rested on his bed musing over the incessant bliss he got throughout the day. His chain of thoughts and silence of the night was broken by loud noise of the gong Almora Jail announcing 11p.m. Soon he was asleep.
Strangely memories of that 13th Feb come back to Tejgiri on every 13th Feb. He had had a successful long career in Police earning decorarions. 62 years later on this 13th Feb he stood on the rooftop of his residence at Lucknow surveying the surroundings. High rise building all around ,overcast sky and strong gale heralding surprise rain were in utter contrast to what he enjoyed on that 13th Feb in his teens.
