Introduction

Our honourable veteran, Maj Gen Amar Jodha Ripu Daman Singh Bawa Bhalla, VSM, holds the unsurpassed record of having served in the Indian Army with the longest name. There were times, when he had to fill forms which did not have sufficient space to contain his complete name, but he did nothing to shorten or abbreviate the tag given to him by his father. He was my course-mate, and we even shared a room when there was a shortage of accommodation in CME, Dapodi (Pune) during 1965-66. The picture you see as above shows AJRSB Bhalla as he looked in 1961.

This unusually long name impelled him to elevate his professional performance to an equivalent level. He held some of the most prestigious appointments and in 1993; he was chosen to command the parade, held to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of the Corps of EME. The pageant has gone down in the annals of the Army as one of the most impressive spectacles which I have witnessed in my life. In the fitness of things, the Army chose his son, Brig SSB Bhalla to command the parade of the Army Aviation Corps held last year. Mrs Kanwal Bhalla has had the unique privilege of witnessing similar ceremonies, one as a wife and the other as a mother. Ms Bhalla is an accomplished writer. She has taught English in several prestigious institutions, and held a responsible position in the Amity University until she retired last year. At our behest, she has told us about these two events. In their house they have a collage of pictures which tell this privileged story.

Now, over to Mrs Kanwal Bhalla; the daughter of an Army officer; who married a soldier, and motivated her elder son to join the Armed Forces.

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HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF

By Mrs Kanwal Bhalla

I have never worn the uniform, but never have I been far from it. Ever since I was born I have been loved by a uniformed gentleman!!  I have strong memories of being hugged by a uniformed dad, loved the feel of his jersey and the shining medals. Then came an army husband followed by a son who is still in uniform. I do wonder if the blood in my veins is fully red or has it turned olive green……
Capt AJRS Bawa Bhalla made me his bride when I was 19 and I accompanied him on the roller coaster ride in the army till we settled down to a peaceful retired life.
One of the unforgettable milestones of this ride was the Golden Jubilee of the Corps of EME in 1993 when Amar commanded the Ceremonial Parade. As Martin Luther king jr. said “we all have the drum major instinct. We all want to be important, surpass others to achieve distinction, to lead the parade…”
Amar then Commandant EME Centre   made an impact with his towering presence, passionate devotion  so well known for his emotional connect to the men he led and commanded. I watched as he gave it his all…. the endless rehearsals, the strive for perfection and then the perfect performance.  
My heart filled with pride as the accolades poured in for his military bearing, administrative acumen, and a managerial skill of a very high order.
At that time our son Capt Sarabjeet was doing a pilot’s training course at   Helicopter Training School (AF) Hakimpet, Secunderabad. As his dad rehearsed the parade at the parade ground,  he was a spectator as he flew over the parade ground, and a lot of views, reviews were exchanged at the lunch table.
Time flies on restless pinions…. History repeats itself!!
30 years later, our son now Brig Sarabjeet commanded the Ceremonial Parade for the Colours Presentation to Army Aviation Corps while he was Commandant,    Combat Army Aviation Training School Nasik (CATS).

The same military bearing, the same gift of charismatic persona. The squads marched with group conformity to his booming words of command.  Precision and perfection was the name of the game.
There was Sarabjeet commanding the parade to a lightning storm of camera flashes with the Honourable President Shri Ram Nath  Kovind  taking the salute.
Amar and I sat in awe in the audience and watched this action replay.
Adept organisers alone, albeit a generation apart, can orchestrate the accomplishment of an aim or a purpose.  Father and son proved that. They say a parade is the best way to garner respect for the military from the populace, projecting the army at its best.
As a mother, as a wife, my life was complete as I revelled in their glory with complete gratitude to the lord above for making this possible. It was not a coincidence but masterminded by the lord himself. God does not play dice with the universe. Everything is interconnected.
The song has ended, but the melody lingers on…

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Given below are the pictures that tell the tale better than words.

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Epilogue

I am tempted to quote an Urdu proverb to end the story.

पिता पर पूत; नस्ल पर घोड़ा 

बहुत नहीं ; तो थोड़ा थोड़ा !!