A jawan, dressed up as a sadhu, asks for alms during the Raising Day celebrations. Picture by Uma Shankar Dubey

Jamshedpur, Feb. 16: The army base camp training-ground was abuzz with activity on the third day of the Raising Day celebrations of 195 Field Regiment (Banwat).

The unit training ground at the army base camp near Sonari was a beehive of activity on the third day of the Raising Day celebrations of 195 Field Regiment (Banwat).

Officers, junior commanding officers (JCOs) and jawans, their families and the public mingled with each other. At the camp, near Sonari, the defence personnel showed that they are not only adept in safeguarding the border but also equally capable of showing the civic side of their life.

The day unfolded with sports events, including different races, musical chair, slow cycle, tug-of-war and, of course, the hot air ballooning, which was clearly the cynosure of all eyes.

In defence parlance, today’s event was called “Pagal Gymkhana,” where events are not held in an organised manner.

The rules and regulations take the back seat. It was sort of free-for-all and the buzzword was enjoyment with a capital E.

Lt. Col. S Jagpal, second in command of the unit here said: “It is sort of a mela where the intention is to narrow the gap between the officers and their subordinates. We play and move around in an air of camaraderie.”

The army officers and their men turned out in civilian clothes. “Uniform is strictly prohibited in Pagal Gymkhana. Restrictions are less. We intend to make the celebrations a grand success,” he said, adding that it was after a gap of almost two years that the Regiment was celebrating the Raising Day.

“You cannot do anything in Leh than gaze at the mountains and glacier,” Jagpal said.

Before coming to the city, the 195 Field Regiment was posted in the difficult terrain of Leh.

Senior officers, including Lt. Gen. A. Natarajan, Col. S.N. Bhaduri, Col. G.S. Samantray, Col. M.N. Khashid and Col. A. Negi, participated in the events much to the delight of the junior personnel.

Col. Natarajan, who is the Adjutant General (Delhi), was the chief guest today. Some officers of the earlier unit here (11 Field Regiment), including Major S.K. Singh and others were also present.

Veena Gawande, wife of Col. S. Gawande, who earlier commanded the 11 Field Regiment here, was also present.

The senior officers displayed their might at the tug-of-war event, defeating the JCOs. They pulled the rope, dragging the JCOs to a distance.

Later, atop the hot air balloon they enjoyed a bird’s eye view of the city.

Anita Yadav, the pilot, did her job commendably in navigating th big balloon.

After showing their strength in the tug-of-war event, the officers and JCOs engaged themselves in the murga race (chase and catch a chicken). A chicken was flung in the air and the defence officers chased them even as the spectators laughed their heart out. Major Subedar LD Ashok was the one who captured the cock.

“It was an enjoyable experience on the balloon. A slight air turbulence threatened to disturb the schedule but things settled down later on,” said a JCO.

The events were opened to the public also. “Lot of civilians participated in the events and mingled freely,” he added. Later, the jawans and their children turned out in the fancy dress competition, wearing costumes of coolie, stone-man, tribals and family man.