Brandy changed the ‘ base ‘ of Delhi Police Contingent Commander

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H P S Virk

Republic Day Parade at Delhi is most spectacular cavalcade of India’s military might, plus a distinct display of cultural diversity of the nation, which has been the cradle of planet’s oldest civilization. Delhi Police is lone “Civil Police” whose contingent participates in this ritual majestic mega marching event held annually on 26’th of January.

Parade starts from Vijay Chowk, located amidst the nucleus of India’s power center. These locales brazenly exhibiting the exquisite legacy of aesthetic architecture of British Raj, conceived around the picturesque Raisina Hill by Sir Edwin Lutyens.

Initially parade traversed through Cannaught Place, Minto Bridge, Central Delhi, terminating at Red Fort, built by the fifth Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan in year 1648 AD. It was rerouted via Tilak Marg from year 2000 onward, for security reasons, post Kargil War.

A massive effort is put up by Delhi Police to show case its matchless performance on commemoration day of the Indian republic.The selection process for the team begins during early December. Personnel are literally hand picked by a team of highly accomplished professionals. Our contingent comprises of 144 personnel plus officers including sensational Delhi Police band.

I was lucky to be selected as commander of this prestigious team during 1982. Extensive rehearsals are held at New Police Lines grounds, situated at historic Kingsway Camp. Here on April 19 th, 1911, entire nobility converged from far and wide for coronation of British King George V and Queen Mary, as Emperor and Empress of India . Thereafter the rehearsals shifted to Rajpath ( formerly known as Kingsway), the actual venue.

Early January 1982, our friend K K Maheshwari returned fresh from army attachment at Sikkim, with memorable memories and exotic gifts. The former Himalayan Kingdom had ceded to Indian Republic on 26’th April 1975, after abolition of monarchy. During those days tax-free liquor from Sikkim was much sought after commodity by connoisseurs of spirituous spirits, for its mellow taste and providing of a consistent mental oscillation.
Our friend invited K C Dwivedi and myself for a rare treat of ‘Fireball’ brand brandy, distilled in cool pristine mountainous locales using vitalizing fountain waters.

Sipping brawny brandy in cold weather was warmly relishing, while we discussed subjects of our interest.Never knew how the time flew into youthfulness of the thick night.Soon the proud liquor bottle lay trounced, reduced to a empty receptacle.

After setting the alarm at 430 AM enjoyed a sound sleep. Early morning just managed to reach Rajpath well in time. The practice went off meticulously. But on approaching the marker flag near the saluting base slackened my mouth for relaying loudly the command, Delhi Police contingent eyes right..”.

Instead of normal reverberating Roaring sound of a healthy Lion , it sounded more alike the Purring of a ailing Cat. This was due to stiffening of vocal cords, an unmistakable handiwork of previous night’s robust brandy shots.

During briefing, Additional Commissioner of Police , N K Singhal, (AP&T), a no nonsense stringent taskmaster took me to rigorous task. “What happened to steadiness of your command, This is totally unacceptable”. Adjudant L S Sandhu, adding fuel to the fire elaborated, “Sir, he must have consumed some moonshine last night which played havoc with his throat”. Further continued, “This breed of young officers are totally irresponsible, indiscipline, incorrigible”.

This hot acrid avalanche was enough to trigger hell to break loose. N K Singhal, thereafter lavishly expended the entire fusillade of verbal ammunition available with him scoring a bull’s eye. Finally advising me to religiously protect my health, gargling twice a day with warm saline water. Before the parade chew cardamom and sugar crystals, additionally suck ‘vicks drops’ for soothing the throat, keeping it irritation free.

As anticipated further rehearsals went off without any mishap.Final show on R-day turned out to be flawlessly outstanding. Honorable President Neelam Sanjiva Reddy, the Supreme Commander of Indian Armed Forces, being chief guest on this grand occasion. King Juan Carlos of Spain was the foreign distinguished guest of honor.

Our 13.5 kms. march from Vijay Chowk at 10.00 hrs. to Red Fort was impeccable, including main salute to the President of India at the ceremonial saluting base at Rajpath. Further salutation was offered to the epic memory of Sri Guru Teg Bhadur, who made ‘supreme sacrifice’ of his life for upholding the dignity of ‘human freedom’, on the 24’th of November,1675. At this historic site stands present Gurdwara Chandni Chowk.

In the impressive backdrop of classic Red Fort ramparts, is the podium of Prime Minister’s address to the nation on Independence Day, the 15th of August.
Commissioner of Police and other officers complimented our entire team for the exemplary display of marching contingent plus our prestigious band. We had a lavish lunch together to celebrate this grand event.

This certainly was an out of the blue experience, which elevated my mental feelings to a unprecedented pinnacle heights of “cloud nine”.Memorable historic event permanently lies embedded within memory of my brain.

(Author is retired Deputy Commissioner of Delhi Police )