ropetrick

‘AN INDIAN ROPE TRICK IN HIGH ALTITUDES’ BY BRIG KN HARIKUMAR

 

Foreword

I joined the unit in December 1981. We were located at ‘Mile-Five’ on the Gangtok-Nathula Road (GNR) and the unit was situated at an altitude of about 7000 feet. My predecessor, Lt Col (later Maj Gen) AP Palta had created a very well knit and efficient team, and he gave me some very useful guidelines. There were no skeletons in the cupboards.  The living conditions at the high altitude posts were, indeed, very difficult. Electricity was generated by ‘op-works generators’ and if the equipment failed, the evenings were dark and dingy. Frequent landslides led to breakdown of road communications, and whenever that happened, supply of rations and fuel was disrupted. The author of this piece was my unswerving colleague and it did not take me long to discover that I could neither improve upon his staff work, nor his administrative acumen. I decided to trust him to the hilt, and that gave me a lot of time to reach out to the units, meet officers in the forward posts and to study their problems, on the ground..

It also gave me all the time in the world to dream

 

*

 

THE INDIAN ROPE TRICK AT HIGHER ALTITUDES

By Brig KN Harikumar, with inputs from Col Dhiraj Mullick

 

“Mountains eat up men and material”.

 

I wrote this opening remark in a draft citation for Dhiraj Mullick as desired by my Commanding Officer in recognition of his pioneering work on the Mini Rope way which our EME Battalion “rigged up” from the scratch in North Sikkim, thirty-five odd years ago. Warfare in the mountains is a complex affair with a second enemy in the form of Nature. Adverse climate and unpredictable weather takes a heavy toll on the fighting soldier. But what is seldom acknowledged is the nightmare of logistics in the mountains which the Services like ASC, AOC and EME silently perform without much ado and recognition. The following episodes are a tribute to a few such acts of gallantry and dedication by an insightful leader and his band of colleagues.

 

Circa 1981: Somewhere near Gangtok, Sikkim. I was the second -in – command of an EME Battalion. A new Commanding Officer –Lt  Col Surjit Singh, VSM was expected to take over the command from Lt Col A P Palta. Stories carried from Agra where he was serving gave a feeling of unease to the officers. Someone said he is a “ bully” and someone else felt he is known to be very demanding and has a very unorthodox way of doing things around. I did not worry much as I was already “entrenched” in the battalion, having served as an OC Workshop at high altitude  in the battalion before moving in as second-in-command.

 

During my initial briefing, Col Surjit asked me how I would like him to work and what priorities I would suggest for him. I had the audacity to tell him this: “Sir, don’t be seen much within the battalion. I will take care of all the internal processes. I suggest you sell the unit outside the battalion.” Believe me, he literally did exactly that during the entire period which we served together!!

 

Soon, his ability to interface well with the GOC, brigade commanders and the Commanding Officers of our user units came to limelight. But what scored the day was his passion for anything innovative and provided ample opportunity to explore. His first foray came soon after assuming command and was based on a visit to Oonthdhar, near Nathula. During this visit, he saw soldiers struggling to carry the loads to their forward most pickets. Rations and Kerosine oil was the main load being hauled up to heights where even mules could not reach and many a time soldiers were even forced to abandon these precious loads enroute. The engineer in him thought of erecting a small ropeway with the help of a Trevella winch which we in EME used for recovery. He gave this task to captain Dhiraj Mullick, our adjutant. In Sikkim there were old steel ropes lying all over with no one claiming ownership. Soon Dhiraj used a motor cycle engine mounted on an angle iron frame (chassis) which was duly anchored to the ground using anchor pins. A travella winch with steel ropes completed the “mini ropeway” as the ensemble was soon named.  The first fabricated  rope way was laid for a span of 10 metre under the supervision of the CO. Very soon, the span was increased and it was able to carry 150 kg load from the base across an aerial distance of 70~80 meters (200-250 ft) in less than three minutes. As time passed the ropeways were improved and by using three mini ropeways in tandem 150 kg load could be moved up 600 ft (aerial distance) in about 10-15 minutes. We now had a very good ropeway in hand for any unforeseen contingency in the high altitudes like disruption of road communication due to land slide etc.

 

Opportunity came soon for us to test our innovation. There was a massive road block on the way to Chungthang in North Sikkim and the supply lines to the forward posts were cut. The Bailey Bridge (made from pre–fab trusses and built by the Engineers / Border Roads Organization) got washed away due to heavy rains. Its foundations had given way. Those days North Sikkim was very underdeveloped and there were no pukka roads/ bridges. The span of the bridge was approx. 60 meters. Engineers said they could only re-build the bridge after couple of months once the rains receded as the water flow was very high and fast at that time. However, there was an urgency to reopen the axis because on the other side of this bridge there was one brigade and this road/bridge was the single axis for maintenance of supplies to them. The reason for urgency was the need to stock up before winter (important activity at those altitudes) when this single road would close. Helicopter sorties were also planned and a big logistics problem was at hand. At that time, with the permission from GOC of the  Division, a “mini ropeway” was set up  under the leadership of the CO, EME Battalion across the span of the bridge. The team leader was our able adjutant Capt. Dhiraj Mullick.

 

 The beauty of this EME ropeway as recounted by Dhiraj Mullick to me was that once loaded, the trolley used to go across to the other side (north Sikkim end) by gravity as it was lower than our home end. “We used to just release the brake and it used to go full speed on its own. As a result, we could send much more load @ 250 kg – mostly dry rations like atta and rice and milk powder was loaded in the trolley. We also transported a lot of hay for the mules. Once unloaded, the empty trolley was easily winched in by the motorcycle engine which we had anchored on the home bank.” said Dhiraj to me with great pride!. This timely help was appreciated by all concerned. Two sketches of the contraption rigged up by us are given below. These must be seen together to get a clear picture of the ‘ropeway’:

 

 ropeway sikkim

 Fig I . In this picture, “A” is the loading point, and vehicles could reach up to the trolley and reverse. “B” was the terminal end, and load was transferred to the vehicles for onward move to the destination.

 

  sketch

Fig II. This is an aerial sketch of the ropeway. The roads near the bridge were so narrow that the vehicles could not reverse. The loading, and the unloading points “A” and “B” were so chosen that material handling did not cause any problem. Since “A” was at a higher altitude, the trolley rolled down with the force of gravity, and it was winched back by a drum driven by a motorcycle engine.

 

As usual, with any such venture not organic to the prescribed tasks assigned to a particular service, the Battalion and the CO had to face criticism from higher ups for treading on the toes of the Corps of Engineers, whose primary duty it was to “ bridge” the gap. 

Another area which attracted the attention of Col Surjit was the wasteful underutilisation of Diesel Generators, which operated at a low efficiency at high altitudes. While plenty of water flowed down in streams giving sufficient “head” with potential energy which could be gainfully utilised to generate hydel power , the establishment relied on wasteful practices of using DG sets. Soon, he embarked upon another mission to create Micro Hydel Power Stations. A start was made behind our officers’ mess which was located in a steep slope. Captain Jacob Mathew and his team soon made some headway and were able to generate 1000 watts of power utilising an array of parts retrieved from vehicles to act as generators and control systems. Col. Surjeet shared with me the first experience with great amusement when all the bulbs connected to the generator fused in one goes – for lack of voltage/ current regulation!

Some of the other actors in this venture we remember now are SL Simeon, Sunil Sharma and SS Bhinder. Both the GOC’s of the division Gen. V N Sharma and Gen. Hanut Singh appreciated the initiatives of the EME Battalion.

Sikkim is now an energy surplus state with number of ropeways dotting the landscape. Gangtok has a two stage cable way -a delight to both commuters and tourists.  What started off as merely a “ pipe dream”  of some of the enterprising officers from EME have been translated to real life installations, and they have improved the quality of life;  not only of the soldiers, but a large cross section of the community.

 

Some pictures to remind us of those who worked on these projects

It is only fair that we should insert a few pictures of Brig Harikumar and Dhiraj as they looked then and how they look now

 

 harikumar

Hari, Malathi and their child, Jaya as they looked in Sikkim

 

 collage

A collage of pictures taken out of the family album of Brig Harikumar

 Dheeraj

Dheeraj was not married. And this is how he looked in Sikkim

 

 Heena

And this is Dr Heena, around the same time.

 dheeraj and heena

Age does not spare any one. Dhiraj and Heena have retained their aplomb, but the years show on them, too.

*

 

Tailpiece by the editor

Brig Harikumar calls it a ‘pipe dream’. By definition, a ‘pipe dream’ is ‘an unattainable or fanciful hope or scheme’. He is absolutely right. Thirty five years ago, with literally no resources available, I think we had bitten more than what we could chew. And yet, if we were able to prove the feasibility of micro-hydel generation and ‘quick-fix’ ropeways, I think it was creditable, to say the least. The officers and the men who worked on these projects went well beyond the call of their duties.

We were able to invite the attention of the people in power to the potential of these technologies, and today if you go to Sikkim, you see the difference.  

I have always believed that unconventional things are achieved through unorthodox methods. Whenever I have dealt with such situations, I think of a parting advice which he Commandant of EME School, Brig (later Lt Gen) N Sengupta gave to us, when we completed the Young Officers’ course in 1962. He said, 

“Gentlemen, please remember that you exist because of the men you command and not the other way around”

And, a similar sentiment was expressed by Guru Gobind Singh ji when he said,

 

  इन ही की कृपा के सजे हम हैं ; 

  नहीं  मो सो ग़रीब करोड़ परे !

 

 

  1. [...] ‘AN INDIAN ROPE TRICK IN HIGH ALTITUDES’ BY BRIG KN HARIKUMAR September 24, 2016 [...]

  2. Brig [Retd] K Harikumar says:

    Thank you Sir for the encouraging words.

  3. Surjit Singh says:

    Jo,
    Your visit was a pleasant surprise.
    I wish we could go back to Sikkim together. Many of our ‘dreams’ have come true!
    And Gangtok is truly beautiful. It is one of the cleanest places in India.
    Surjit

  4. Surinder singh says:

    Dear Surjit,
    There was some problem in opening the hyper-link and hence the delay in this comment.
    The vivid description of the rope-way puts it in the right perspective. You,were ahead of your time and only now have innovations got their rightful importance in industry and perhaps they are now the most sought after attribute even ahead of quality.
    Excellent!
    Surinder

    • Surjit Singh says:

      Thanks, Surinder.
      It was not me, but my colleagues who did all the work.
      My only contribution was that I did not stop them!
      Surjit

  5. Lt Col Venkata Appa Rao Dontharaju says:

    Gen Surjit Sir and Brig Hari Kumar, We knew about your commitment to your profession and we used to hear stories of your exploits. I had the good fortune to follow in the footsteps of Brig Hari kumar having commanded the Kyangnosla Work shop from 1985 on wards. I read Brig Hari kumar’s Reports on Bofors testing with great interest. I am sure this can become the subject for a story some other day
    Lt Col Venkata Appa Rao Dontharaju
    09550212826
    Hyderabad

    • Brig [Retd] K Harikumar says:

      Thank you Col Appa Rao I have some snippets on the Bofors Trials which I will share soon . Fells good to connect.
      regards
      Harikumar

  6. Brig Bhupinder Oberoi says:

    Very nice Surjeet.I had spent a lovely evening with you at your Bn loc Thanx

  7. Col Dhiraj Mullick says:

    Dear Sir(s)

    Though perhaps it is not my place – I do want to say today what I want to say …. I want to Thank You and in the same breath also convey gratitude for so many things which I owe to you both…….

    This wonderful piece which so vividly captures the essence of the ropeway project duly embellished with photographs/sketches and quotes from Guru Gobind Singhji.

    The kind words for everyone (especially for me) which no doubt is reflective of your generosity and the hallmark of character which separates great from ordinary.

    The Foreward and Tailpiece – penned by you Sir or actually all of ‘Guftagu’ (which I think you started at perhaps around age 70) is a testimony of your unwavering belief in yourself, your love for the pen (I have a couple of your books) and in much greater measure your love for all humanity and especially those who are close to you. I have not visited often – but whenever I did – I enjoyed every session – Hats off to you for this Sir!

    Last but not least, I do also want to express profound gratitude and for the Grinding and Grooming at Mile 5 in 1982. They were formative years for me and have carried me through life. I can never forget the learning whether it was regarding minor SD, a parade, an orderly room, CEME inspection of an inf unit, a conference, a Mess function, a Bara Khana, Croquet, Bridge, Golf, Creativity – aka ropeway, Stocks (BST – my first)…………….

    Thank you for everything!

    Warm Regards

    Dhiraj Mullick

  8. Ravi Grover says:

    Thank you for posting a very inspiring piece with a very apt Tailpiece > Innovation has always been the Indian Army’s forte Regards all round

  9. Kujad Jani says:

    Wow !! What a vivid description! What a feat ! I was virtually transported in those mountainous regions of Sikkim while reading the most interesting peace written by Brig Hari Kumar and sent by Gen Surjit Singh.

    Sincere thanks for sharing such an inspiring one !

  10. Manmohan says:

    Sir, being a CO of the Sig Regt from 83 to 85 in Sikkim, it was my proud privilege to see you and your unit in action
    Your innovations were the talk of the division.
    Thanks for enabling us to relive those wonderful days

  11. Surjit Sir, during the era that feat was created is definitely a great achievement, but the narration & the flow of the write up is such that one could feel the trolley rolling down the rope way & being winched up.
    Thanks for sharing. It must provide an incentive to the youngster to do more,
    Regards,
    Col Dr GB Sethi

  12. Lt Gen Manmohan Singh says:

    Thank you , Surjit, for sharing such inspiring story. I am glad you have posted it on your

    web site. How about contributing to the EME Journal. All EME would be interested, as I
    could make out from a number of commments posted on your web site.

    My only comment on the story is relating to you as you were the the CO then. I hope this
    cmmendable work of young ( now not so young! ) Dirij was duly recognised &/or rewarded
    in a traditional manner. Needless to say, this accomplishment has been an other feather in
    your ‘ pagri ‘ already soaked in several other honours.

    Fond regards & best wisbhes to you both.

  13. Brig R Loganathan says:

    Surjit, thank you for this mail .It was delight to to read it. I do remember the name AP PALTA in the Academy[26 or 27 th course]He was with me in either KOHIMA or MEIKTILA.In3rd term I was in M– and 4th term K–.It brought my memories of my days in SIKKIM WITH 4 PARA.at mile 17. I was coy cdr at CHO LA with base at Tamze.The post on a massive rocky feature with Chinks just60 mtrs away. we had only sungadrs with tarpaulin overhead for cover and bukharies.we had for company -the blizzards and howling wind.It was all agreat experience in life and worth it.On a full moon night at 1600ft the KUNCHENJUNGA WAS AN UNFORGETTABLE SIGHT.

    It is always nice reading your mails. REGARDS LOGI

    • Surjit Singh says:

      Dear Logi,
      Your Brigade location was the most challenging. Hats off to you all for the manner in which you performed your duties!
      Surjit

  14. JN Amrolia says:

    General,
    Thanks for sharing.
    JNA

  15. Lt Col Angad Singh (Retd) says:

    It makes interesting reading. It proves that the armed forces are great innovators. The small project started by EME Bn proved to be a big success for the State of Sikkim. The consruction of rope ways and micro hydel project proved to be so successful that Sikkim is a big attraction for tourists and its is now perhaps the only State surplus in electricity production in India. Big achievement for the army and good lesson for he Luytens, if they have will to ldarn..

  16. sqn ldr k n nagaraj says:

    Heart felt solutations to the dedicated sons of India.

  17. Poorna Khatri says:

    So nice to go through the Article !
    Thanks for SHARING !!!

  18. PK says:

    Dear Surjit,

    A truly enlightening story, about teamwork, service (seva), and the bleeding edge of innovation. Borrowing from the Greek traditions, Ares (w Athena) has been one of the principal patrons of research and innovation in our times.

    Be Well,

    PK

  19. C Uday Bhaskar says:

    what a fantastic tale
    tks for sharing

    pl. do send me the coords for Brig hari….
    i will share with my list

    rgds
    ub

    • Surjit Singh says:

      Dear UB,
      Brig Harikumar was active until very recently. He is now retired and settled in Secunderabad. His e-mail ID is:

      khk2642@gmail.com

      I am sure he knows you, and he will be glad to hear from you!
      Regards,
      Surjit

  20. Kishan Bhatia says:

    Thanks Singh sahib jee. Kishan Bhatia

    (He was not able to open the website, until we resolved the glitch)

  21. Lt Gen LM Rajagopal says:

    Dear Hari,

    I got the following forwarded e mail from Surjit yesterday. I knew that you were with Surjit in 617 EME Bn, but was not aware of the ‘rope trick’!

    How are you and Malathi? Hope you both are active as ever!

    Love & best wishes to you both,

    Raj.

    Lt Gen(Retd) L.M. Rajgopal, AVSM,
    102,Bentley Drive,

    Pittsburgh – 15238, PA – USA

    Tel. 1-412-963-0979.

    Mob. 1-412-694-3145

    • Surjit Singh says:

      Sir,
      Thanks for your words of encouragement.
      We are glad to notice that you are active, alert and affectionate even when you are sitting so far away!
      Gen Sundara Rao is equally active…
      Surjit

    • Brig [Retd] K Harikumar says:

      Thank you Sir for your good words. I replied you off line but this is for records. I am motivated to contribute more now on our Army Life. We are doing well at Secunderabad .
      warm regards
      Hari

  22. Satish Bhandari says:

    Thanks – Not only informative but a beautiful story.
    Satish

  23. Lt Col B B Ghai says:

    The article posted brings out that innovtions are key to resolve needs, but the innovation brought here is excellent particulatly in difficult far flung loctions & is a good motivational example.
    It has been a pleasure to visit & go through the article.

  24. Lt Gen C Sundara Rao says:

    Dear Surjit,

    Thank u for sharing this info. I was thrilled to read it. Yr ingenuity as an EME offr in creating a mechnised ropeway is very laudable. Congrats.

    Best wishes.

    Sundara Rao

    • Surjit Singh says:

      Sir,
      What a pleasure to get our mail!
      You were, are, and will remain an inspiration for us. Always and every time!
      Surjit

  25. Gul Dost says:

    Sir,
    There is a brief mention of a micro-hydel experiment. Can you give us some more details?
    Gul

  26. Moru Kelkar says:

    Dear Surjit,
    Some thing went wrong with computers Brouser so couldn’t open Amolak; the topic however refreshed memory. Self, amar, harbhajan and mahan were posted to 214, 211, 204 and recovery coy (after YO Course in 62) to a newly re-raised black Cat (with its Tail up) Div and all that MCO’s knew was they were some where beyond (Silli)-Guri. That was the first trick we had to do (followed by many more, and that too….with out Ropes (Ropes were ‘out of stock’, in formation under raising!) None had any ropes to pull or we should not have landed where we did!) Well we did meet near about (BINA)-Guri and HASSI-MARA (neighbouring (HELLMATE)-Gunj. First thing to learn was how to differentiate between TUSKERS (Wild vs Domestic); Some Two Legged Ones prided themselves being TASKERS …Amar had to learn to paint tree trunks ‘Olive Green’, harbhajan found it impossible to locate KHALI-KHOKA of his Pistol / Revolver and Ravi Batra had to learn to Tie Knots under fast flowing waters of TISTA, when a 3 Ton Driver wished to convert his vehicle into water crossing expedients (and was forced to learn to swim for survival instead?) We sure felt grateful to IMA for upgrading non-swimmers into swimmers. Well enough for the moment? Some one did say “Give one of yours , if and when you notice the other (humane Human) has lost his ???” Regards
    Moru

  27. Maj Gen Vijay Krishna says:

    Hi Sir , u may recall you gave this idea which I used in Lungthu when I was Comd 627 . We the services are now said to be having a Khushi time . Ha !

    Vijay

    • Surjit Singh says:

      Vijay,
      Thanks.
      It is always a pleasure to be with you.
      Why don’t you send us some anecdotes and pictures of your days in Sikkim?
      Surjit

  28. Col VRK Prasad says:

    Dear General
    It’s a nice piece and even my memories got refreshed from Gangtok days.
    Still nicer is the fact that Brig Hari is still a pretty close friend to me here in Hyd and he
    was even kind enough to attend my son’s wedding reception function on 17/8 held in Sec’bad
    club.
    warm regards
    col vrk prasad

  29. Gulu Hora says:

    Thanks sir after my daily 70 min.walk and 30 min,of a few light exercises I get down to my 3 newspapers.However as a matter of routine I open my email account just to glance if there is anything of interest before reverting back to the papers. The sad part is that after reading your forwards the newspapers appear insipid.

    Cheers to that Imphal company mate!!

  30. Yogish Chander Mehra says:

    Jugads r common in any EME unit as we encourage to solve problems on ground. These used to be covered in EME journal & the latest vol too has many such stories incl guns at high alt being spruced up as most parts are rusted. Army shall never get the new Guns & existing ones are outlived. Cannibalization & Jugad sustains them for some back up. During Deg Engg we r allotted projects which hone us towards such thinking to find solutions thro’ what we hv. Imagine L-70 for static role used in Mob opn with 16 deployments before war & more during opn itself & guns & radars to be operational before first Lt despite movement at nt. How hunting taken care of was a herculean task but jugad made it easy to sustain operations. Exploiting eqpt beyond designed capacity is possible only when u hv dedicated users backed up with equally supportive force.

    Fwd this article is to spread positivity in thinking though criticizing is an art , & we all possess it but this art when turned around to find solutions, makes the difference.

    Everyone can be wrong but everyone can also be right…choose the preferred ones.

  31. SK MEDIRATTA says:

    Great reading!
    Thanks.

  32. Col NK Balan says:

    As a Infantarian, I always used to appreciate the help and guidance we got from our EME colleagues in the upkeep of our vehs, wpns and eqpt – and that in spite of the irritants created by the tribe of AIAs. Those were healthy days and I HOPE THE SPIRIT IS SUSTAINED EVEN NOW.
    By coincidence, before reading this piece by Gen Surjit , I happened to spk to my friend , Hari Kunar – a leading light in this article. I spk to him only because Hyderabad – the city where he has settled down with his family – is now under water. So , my call was only to check on his state of happiness under flood waters. Found him and Malati, his wife , as chirpy and happy as ever. It was only a couple of hrs after our talk , that I came across this article. A case of Coincidence ? . Because, it surely can’t be clairvoyance !.

    Bala

    • Surjit Singh says:

      Dear Col,
      Thanks.
      Hari was a great blessing for all of us. If the unit was able to achieve all this, it is largely due to his silent administrative acumen.
      Surjit

  33. Col RP Chaturvedi says:

    Thanks very much Sir for sharing the nostalgic write up on the Rope Trick. The Fauj achieves the improbable when all around them fail, due to the singular spirit of innovation- the Jugaad, if one may, that is not only encouraged but admiringly acknowledged. Jungle mein Mangal.

    Thanks again Sir, for bringing back memories of the times in uniform. We all can recall some rope tricks or the other, sometime or other.

    With Warm Regards,

    Col RP Chaturvedi,

    Mobile: +919891279035

    rpchaturvedi@gmail.com

  34. Paramjit Singh says:

    Dear Sir,

    Excellent article.

    Innovations are indeed exceptional.

    Regards

    Paramjit

  35. Maj Gen Gurdayal Singh says:

    Very impressive innovations and flair for the same,Surjit.

  36. Col Kulbir Singh says:

    Thanks for sharing Sir

    Kulbir

  37. Anil Madan says:

    Great story. Thanks
    Anil

  38. Brig SL Vashisht says:

    Sir,

    It has been a pleasure to read your article and the achievements of your unit.

    Congratulations !

    Quite reminiscent of my tenure in that area from 1980 to 1983, three op alerts in the areas mentioned both North & East.

    We were stationed at Sevoke road and my CO was Brig S M Chand.

    Warm regards,

    Brig Surender Vashisht

  39. Col KJS Chugh says:

    Beautiful. I was posted to the Arty Bde in Sikkim from 1976 to 79.
    You remind me of my extended tenure, at my request, in the most nostalgic manner. Loved the place and life there.
    The ropeway in East Sikkim was abandoned and one day one of our helicopters got entangled in that and crashed.
    No one was hurt. Capt Khosla , the pilot was transported back to Hashimara, safe and sound the same day.
    Thanx for sharing your innovative experience. God Bless.
    Col. KJ Chugh, retd.

  40. PK says:

    Dear Surjit,

    A truly enlightening story, about teamwork, service (seva), and the bleeding edge of innovation. Borrowing from the Greek traditions, Ares (w Athena) has been one of the principal patrons of research and innovation in our times.

    Be Well,

    PK

  41. Brig HV Singh says:

    Dear General,

    As always it was great to read one of your pieces.

    Lateral thinking and the persistence follow up your ideas was one of the many things one learned in my tenure in SDD.

    Regards

    Harash

  42. Cdre C Uday Bhaskar says:

    what a fantastic tale
    tks for sharing

    pl. do send me the coords for Brig hari….

    i will share with my list

    rgds

    ub

  43. Lt Gen Harbhajan Singh says:

    Very interesting indeed, dear Surjit. Thanks for sharing.

    Harbhajan Singh

  44. KAPIL says:

    Fascinating narration of Creativity and Innovation. There is a lesson in it; Innovation has to be based on the felt need. If innovation is just for the sake of innovation, it will fold up soon after. There is plenty of scope of creativity even today whatever we do, one just needs to have his/her antennae upright.

  45. “Gentlemen, please remember that you exist because of the men you command and not the other way around”

    That is so true. Something that many leaders, especially in the corporate world forget to their own cost. Great story. Many thanks for sharing it.

  46. sunita garware says:

    What a great story.! More officers should share their stories for India to know what it takes to be in the army.!

    Sunita garware
    D/o general R Bakhshi,MC.

  47. yoginder sharma says:

    Fascinating account-well done to all. The moot point is whether ‘creativity’ as an attribute is recognised and rewarded in our appraisal-selection system? Even if it is- does it get the right ‘attribute weightage’??? One does not find a significant number of creative-commanders or am I getting cynical with old age?

    • Surjit Singh says:

      Dear General,
      Thanks.
      Many years ago, I attended a seminar in Southern Naval Command, where the Chairman stressed on the need to ‘unlearn’ He advised senior officers to deliberately forget what they had learnt as junior officers.
      In the Army, I found far too many commanders going into unnecessary details, and THAT prevents them from doing their own job!
      As the cliché goes, we have generals siting LMGs…
      Regards,
      Surjit

  48. Kul Prakash Deswal says:

    A very good write up. The EME is called to do a lot of innovative work which is not noticed by others thinking that it is the job of the EME. Our Senior officers instead of appreciating the work tend to ignore it. Regards

  49. Kul Prakash Deswal says:

    A very good write up. The EME is called to do a lot of innovative work which is not noticed by others thinking that it is the job of the EME. Our Senior officers instead of appreciating the work tend to ignore it. Regards

  50. Joseph Thomas says:

    Had the privilege of visiting Surjit & Co at Mile-Five on the fabled Gangtok – Nathula Road in 1982. I was part of the Staff College jamboree. Surjit wanted to replace the mules with ropeways and diesel generators with micro hydel power stations. We also talked about oil dilution as a means to start diesel engines on cold mornings. And getting superchargers fitted on trucks plying at high altitude. We agreed that the biggest obstacles were the mules in high places.

    Glad to see that with enthusiastic young officers like Krishnan Nair Harikumar & Dhiraj Mullick, the ropeway and micro hydel projects were successful.

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