What would high school be without NCC?
Getting up on cold Bangalore mornings and heading out to school at 6 AM to get yelled at by the instructor in Hindi. We only understood the swear words anyway.
We WOULD NOT wear sweaters as that would be a sign of weakness. The chaddis were of the “bell bottom” kind allowing for all kinds of air-conditioning to happen. To top it all we had to get it starched, so it was like wearing sharp asbestos. Of course who can forget those heavy shoes. Some of us would put in nails or a horseshoe at the heel to get that “tak tak” sound when we walked.
But the thing that made us go day in and day out was… THE FREE TOKENS… for those “wonderful” (or so we thought) khali (rubber) doses at Triveni hotel that used to be located at South End Circle (theres a flower shop there now).
Getting anything for free even if it was rubber dose was a great thrill.
Then there was the 10 days of NCC camp 😦 … oh the pain… stay tuned for more.
Bangalore Blues 
When I was in 8th, I went to our NCC officer showing interest in joining. I was denied because of height factor. He said – ‘neenu tumbaaa udda iddeeyappa. ninnanna togolakke aagalla’
ps: I was the 2nd shortest in our class during whole 3 years.
pps: there used to be a debate between me & Naganna – on who is taller among the two 🙂
Vijay, Very cute post. Brought a smile to my face hearing about your asbestos shorts and airconditioning. Made me remember my bro’s NCC days. He went for a few months, I remember, and would tell us about it at the dinner table.
I’m back to blogging after a long time. No new post, but I am at least back to reading other blogs for now:)) We are planning a trip to B’lore this summer and hope I can meet you and RK and all the other B’lore bloggers.
yes , you reminded my NCC days. I did have it in my high school. I too was in NCC , I have done my “B” certificate also. It was cool life. We NCC guys had lot of respect in campus.
Firing is one more fun thing. I was 0/10 in .33 rife. I made good in light machine gun 10/10 .
Hi vijay, nice post.. specially those air conditioned dress and the asbestos…
oTTinalli ella aadmele ‘khaali dose’ intavenaadru kotre aaytu, I know why the idea of posting it here….
good one NCC was joined by some for that tiffin after class washing allowance they used to give at year end. for the money allocated rubber dose kally idle like items only you can get poor chaps what NCC officer can do
@Prashanth: lol … glad you grew taller..
@travelsaga: Welcome back !! Looking forward to seeing you.. as are all the blog balaga members
@bachodi: Oh ya the firing range… that was fun
@Veena: lol
@Pranesh: I forgot about the washing allowance of 25 paise.
VIjay
Rivive the chronicals – airconditioned chaddis are the need of the hour! How much sologging can everybody take.
@Mohan – Will do…
NCC-ge hudugru serode thindi sigatte antha saar! nimmanthavru kathe kelidre, inspire aagthare. 🙂
Good to know lot of guys recall the NCC days and Rubber Dosa. I dont know the times you guys were there. MNR was our NCC offiicer. I recall Dhyne Mud and Baye Mud as the the first hindi words I learnt.
The memories of Rubber Dosa with Khara Chutney is still vivid in the mind.
More memory postings would be fun to read.
Achut: This was ’76-’79 (long long time ago).. MNR was the officer as well… thanks for you comments.. what year did you go to VHS? More VHS memories are there on the Vijaya High Chronicles Page
I had a different experience studying in Pilani where at my time NCC Rifles was compulsory. I opted for the 22 Raj EME (NCC). No uniforms had been delivered and had to wear whites (College Summer Uniform). I was a Corporal or Sergeant and on the Republic Day Parade, we were all lined up with the old .303 Lee Enfields. When our term came, I yelled the commands – Saavdhan/Khandey Shastr/ Dhaaye Mood etc. so loudly that the guy at tail end of the next platoon got so startled that he dropped his rifle on the next guy who also dropped his rifle (I will never forget the expression on the face of the trainer (A Subedar from the Gurkha Regiment). He could have chopped us up with his Khukri!!!!!!!!
Hello,
I am willing to join NCC for my 10 years daughter. As her school “Clarence High School,Bangalore” doesn’t have NCC unit, then “when to” , “how to” and “where to” enroll for NCC. Looking for suggestions. Thank You.
Hi, Even I am interesting in joining my 9Yrs son to NCC unit. Like to know as how to enroll for NCC. Awaiting for suggestions
Thanks in Advance,
Aruna
Check with the school..my experience was 40 years ago 🙂