At 22, a few months into my first job, I was given the responsibility of accompanying my French boss’s niece, a Paris Match photo journalist on a 12hr visit to Delhi for The Beating of Retreat.
I was so very pleased as this was & remains to date one Military Ceremony that I particularly enjoy.
In the company car, all very officious, I picked her up from The Intercontinental, now The Oberoi & headed towards Vijay Chowk.
In the company car, all very officious, I picked her up from The Intercontinental, now The Oberoi & headed towards Vijay Chowk.
The security those days was minimal & we soon found our seats.
There was however a small point that was causing me some tension.
How I was going to camouflage my rather embarrassing reaction to army bands & also keep up a professional demeanour ?
There was however a small point that was causing me some tension.
How I was going to camouflage my rather embarrassing reaction to army bands & also keep up a professional demeanour ?
It had always so far happened that with the first notes of the uplifting military music, a twirl of the baton, a sob would get caught in my throat & the emotion of so much, past, present & history would get my eyes & nose to stream uncontrollably...!
While Dominique got busy with her camera & an assortment of lenses I waited with some trepidation for the bugle call to waft down & the band to march to the beat of the drum.
That damned sob true to form, rose in my throat & I quickly turned my back to her, fumbling in my bag for a kerchief.
While I was searching for it I heard some one behind me catch a breath & even a sharp cry.
While I was searching for it I heard some one behind me catch a breath & even a sharp cry.
Surprised I turned around & saw Dominique smiling but crying unashamedly.
~Army bands & martial music do that to me ~she said. ~Invariably~ & she cried some more, wiping her nose with the back of her hand.
~Army bands & martial music do that to me ~she said. ~Invariably~ & she cried some more, wiping her nose with the back of her hand.
I now by now, quite unshackled, happily let go.
With drippy noses, welled up eyes we sat through the entire event, loving every moment of it.....enjoying handfuls of channas & peanuts, offered by some concerned gentlemen sitting behind us.
With drippy noses, welled up eyes we sat through the entire event, loving every moment of it.....enjoying handfuls of channas & peanuts, offered by some concerned gentlemen sitting behind us.
So it seems Fauji Girls, no matter from where they are, have the same reaction to drums, trumpets, trombones & marching.
#BeatingOfRetreat
#BeatingOfRetreat
