This is a story of an officer, told at Naval Selection Board, Vizag. I do not remember his name properly but his rank was commander. For the ease of story, I am assuming his name as Ajay, Cdr. Ajay. The story involved his friend Sucky and some other incidents till his successful career as a submariner, instructor and defense strategist. At the end there will be a question for defense aspirants asked by him, so try to read it till the end.
Ajay and Sukhy:
Ajay was a nerd in his schooling and was only concentrated in academics. His dad was a lawyer and mom was a homemaker. The only set of goals in his life included making shit loads of money, having a beautiful wife and settling down in United states. From the beginning Ajay was clear that the only way he can achieve that, was by cracking entrance to IIT.
Ajay had a Khalsa friend Sukhdev Singh AKA Sukhy. Sukhy was extremely disciplined and immensely passionate towards joining Army. He also was a big fan of Hollywood character Maverick from the movie Top-Gun. Sukhy in the summer of Delhi use to go for a ride by wearing lather jacket just like Tom Cruise in Top-Gun. He also had developed six pack abs and biceps by his tough fitness regime.
Guys, having 6-pack abs in late 80's, early 90's was a macho thing.
The NDA Exam:
One evening, during the study holidays of the 12th grade, Sucky comes to Ajay's place and tells "Hey, Bugger! NDA ka form nikla hai, bhar dena" (hey Ajay NDA form is out fill it).
Ajay asks "Ye kya hota hain?" (what is it?)
Sukhy says "arre army ka hai saath mein jaathe, exam dene" and fills the form on behalf of Ajay and submits it.
Both of them write the exam in nearby center and clear it. Sukhdev does remaining procedures as well on behalf of Ajay and they get the call for SSB interview at Bengaluru.
The SSB:
The interview was scheduled from 19th August and the reporting was at MCO of KSR railway station, Bengaluru.
On 14th August Sukhy, comes to Ajay's home. "Hey, Bag Bharna start kiya ki nai?" (Have you started preparation and packing or not?)
Ajay told "Arre, mein nai Aaraha, army sabi mere bas ka bath nai hain. tum chale jana!" ( I am not in a mood to come, Army is not my cup of tea, you go ahead)
Sukhy uses Ajay's weekness and influences him by saying "hey! Ajay Banglore Masth jaga hai! Khoob ladkia hote hai, train se jayenge akela Maza ayega chalo" ( Hey! Ajay Banglore is a fantastic place! you will get to see lot of girls and you will enjoy the journey too)
Ajay packs the bag and prepares himself thinking about girls all the way :-)
The D-day comes Ajay and Sukhdev report at MCO and five days flies by. Ajay enjoys those five days at SSB, as he had limited outdoor exposure before coming to Bengalore. On 23rd August. They both finish the SSB conference( last activity of SSB interview). There were 30 odd candidates. Ajays chest number was 24 and Sukhdev's was 26. All the candidates were made to stand with their bags, under a tree and officer in-charge was giving motivating lecture and started announcing chest numbers of recommended(selected) candidates.
A bus to take them back to railway station had come. Ajay was thinking about catching first seat in the bus, so that he gets a window seat of his choice. Ajay was fiddling with his bag and getting ready to board the bus. Suddenly officer in-charge shouts "chest number 24!, chest number 24!"
Sukhdev pats on Ajay "Hey Bugger! tum select ho gaye ho" ( hey Ajay! you are selected).
Unfortunately that day chest number 26 was not called and Sukhy sadly went back. Ajay was in dilemma and was thinking "is this for real? "
Sukhdev really went on to sad mode. Sukhy felt like he was cheated!
Destiny of young boys:
Anyhow days went by Sukhdev left his dream and joined a local engineering college as he did not have any backup plans. Ajay joined NDA. As both of them were in different boats which they did not desire, they struggled. Struggled a lot. Ajay struggled to cope up with physical fitness challenges and Sucky had to sit for long, to study.
Days went by, now Ajay is commander Ajay, a submariner, a strategist , a researcher. With number of decorations commander Ajay is doing well off in his career in Indian Navy. On the other side Sukhdev has his own investment firm, home, number of cars and a beautiful wife right in the city of New York.
The moment of surprise:
One day, Ajay was coming back from his 45 days submarine sail at sea. He was in blue Dangri, stinking, sweating, extremely tired and had not taken bath for last few days. As he enters hall of his home, he sees a well suited Khalsa man having tea. They both were dumb struck for a while, then came back to reality.
It was evening at 1600 hrs, Ajay tells "Hey Sukhdev, Nahake aata hu" (Hey Sukhdev, I will take bath and come back).
They sat in the sea facing balcony at 1700 hrs sipping drinks and munching on snacks. Talks went on till 2330 hrs. Ajay's wife call both of them for dinner.
At the end of the talk they realize, they both are living each others dreams, exchanged!
Sukhy says " hey bugger! you are living my dream-life and I am jealous of you for that"
Commander Ajay replies "so you are sukhy! I am jealous of you too!"
Water fills up in both of their eyes and silence persists.
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The question asked by Commander Ajay to defence aspirants was
"On August 23rd,on the SSB conference day, did Sukadev loose something? Or Ajay gained something? Or both of them gained/lost anything?"
The same question goes for you, let us know your opinion in the comment section below.
