“It's great to see such a big part of our youth is interested in serving the nation. We are glad to have you here my dear trainees, and I heartily welcome you to a life more than ordinary. Jai Hind." Our training officer or ustad, Subedar Pawan Rathore, was giving us an introductory speech. Yes we are finally here, starting our first day of training. And know what? Only two of us, the girls, have managed to reach here. Rabeena was standing tall beside me, looking proud of herself. Honestly, the speech really had that feel to it that we are bound to feel glad, confident and proud of our decision to come here. -" So lads, follow me." Our TO, turned to leave, but caught our eyes, " And ladies, you too." Exchanging a small smile with Rabeena, we followed him only to end up in a barber store. And what? I had to watch my thick long hair chopped off into the floor, making my head feel very light. Bye bye my dear hair, I will miss you.

  While I still tried to take it easy and be glad that my head atleast is not bald like the boys, we were brought to a bigger field-like place in the training centre.

  We were lined up to face the TO. A few more soldiers had joined him. Stacks of uniforms and other necessary stuffs were piled at one side. The TO nodded at the other soldiers, and they got to work immediately.

  They started handing out uniform and necessity kit.

  I couldn't help but smile inwardly everytime a new item was added to my kit. This was feeling more and more real now. After we received all the stuff, the TO said, " So, my dear trainees, what you have got will be the most precious possession of your life. Now you will be shown how to properly wear the uniform. For that I would need a volunteer. " Though he said 'volunteer ', he straight up pointed to one guy and said, " You, come forward."

  And guess who the guy was? Deepak Chadda.

  Deepak looked kinda nervous at first, but stepped forward anyway. TO made him stand straight and asked him to put on the camouflage uniform. After Deepak had wore the uniform, the TO then handed him what was supposed to be a barrett cap. He was brought a bucket full of water and then one of the soldiers took the barrett from his hand and dipped it into the water.

  He then took it out and adjusted it to actually look like a barrett, then fitted the wet, dripping barrett on Deepak's bald head. Ew!

  Then we were shown how to sew the indian army badge on the cap, ( Pagri, in a few cases)

  After that, the TO addressed the whole batch again, " Trainees, today, as your first day, you will be shown around the campus, and will get the one and only easy and relaxed day during your time here. From tomorrow, we will start your training. 6:30 am sharp."

  He sent off the boys with the other soldiers, and pointed at us, " You two, follow me."

  * * * * *

  He took us to the far corner of the campus building, and opened a room for us. " Ladies, this is your room. There's bathroom at the left. "

  The room smelt of lime, stating it was a new construction. There was a double poster bed at the right, and a self like medium sized almirah at one side.

  "Go fetch your luggage." The TO ordered. Our luggage was kept near the gate of the training centre.

  " Run to and from." He added " Didn't he say training starts tomorrow?" Rabeena asked. " We will be given a tough time. Get used to it." I told her. Then we ran to the gate, picked up our luggage and ran back to 'our room'. The TO raised his eyebrows when we arrived, " Kafi jaldi bhagte ho ap, nice."( you run pretty fast) We smiled.

  " Okay, so make yourselves at home, tomorrow we start our training. Remember, it's going to be tough. Try not to be sent back home in a week. Good luck." He said and turned over to leave

  " And no boys allowed around here, nor are you allowed in their messes." He called back. " Lunch's at 1:30 p.m."

  " Upar ka kaun lega, tum aur mai? I said, ( who will take the upper bunk?) We were arranging our room. We sorted our stuff into the shelf. Cleaned the bathroom,( well gave it a little wash with water atleast), swiped our room, and as it turned out, Rabeena is far better than me in all of those. I was most surprised by her way of arranging stuff into the shelf. She somehow managed to fit the uniform and kit, her own 3 sets of clothing, and stacks of books and still it looked neat. Mine was a mess, though I had more sets of clothes, including winter wear which Rabeena seemed to lack completely, still it should look a little better, cause compared to hers, mine looked as if I have simply stuffed all it into the shelf.

  But know what, Rabeena helped me short it out, when I asked about her lack of winter wear, she simply gave one of those broken, sad, smile of hers. ( I know when I see a broken smile, I am an psychology student!)

  " There's still months left before winter, I will buy when I get the stipend." So none of us was eager to take the upper bunk, so we decided on a deal, " Ak mahine tum, fir ak mahine hu-" My words were unfinished since we heard a sharp rap on the door. ( One month you, one month me-).

  I opened the door to face one of the faculties, calling us for lunch.

  We followed him over to the cafeteria where one batch of trainees had already had their lunch and we were in the next batch.

  " Bas itna sa hi?" ( Just this little?) The food distributor asked me and Rabeena, 'cause our portions were apparently very small.

  I simply shrugged and turned to go, Rabeena right after me. Many of the trainees were still standing in the line. When we were walking past them, suddenly I felt a sharp tug at my shoulder and halted to look behind. Rabeena was pointing downwards. I followed her gaze to catch a glimpse of a guy pulling back his earlier stuck out foot.

  He tried to trip me!

  I followed up the leg to look at his face. He was looking at me with a look of unsatisfaction at his unsuccessful attempt to make me end up in a food pestered mess.

  That made me want to dislocate his jawbone, but I resisted with all my might. This is just the beginning, it's going to be regular occurrence from now on.

  I gritted my teeth and went to sit on the table. I took deep breaths to keep calm and tried to focus more on the food.

  Some officer was sitting at the first end of our table, who taught us the basic table manners and discipline that has to be maintained, and wished us a hearty meal.

  * * * * *

  -" Whoa- , what's that?" I yelped as I heard a loud echoing gong. I peered down from upper berth, Rabeena was also propped up on her elbows and was rubbing sleep from her eyes, " What time is it?" She asked sleepily.

  I squinted at the clock on our shelf, " 5:30 a.m. "

  The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.

  " And training starts at-?"

  " Probably at six thirty"

  That made Rabeena to frantically scramble off the bed, making it shake. She grabbed her toiletries and ran to the bathroom. I did my best to roll up the sleeping bag, smoothed my sheets and climbed down.

  I was about take out my uniform, when someone rapped on the door.

  I swang it open to find some faculty standing with a stern face. He pointed inside. I stood aside to let him in.

  He straight up went to our bed and pointed to Rabeena's messy one. “It's Rabeena Dubey's, she is in the bathroom. She will tidy it up once she is back." I explained.

  He then peered to the upper berth, " Then I suppose this one is yours?" He said and pointed to my not-so-perfect bedroll, " you need to work on that."

  I nodded with a flushed face.

  " Tidyness is also part of the discipline that is to be maintained. If I find the rule broken, you will have to face consequences. Is that clear?"

  I nodded again.

  " I did not hear you." " Yes sir." I said, " louder! Soldiers don't waver."

  " YES SIR, I UNDERSTAND. " I said as loudly as I could. In the mean time, Rabeena came out of the bathroom.

  " Ay tum, sameto ise" ( Hey you, gather these up.)

  It took her a second to comprehend what was going on, then she quickly did what was asked, and as expected, her bedroll was way better than mine. Still, it did not satisfy our supervisor. He gave her the same lecture and left. I went to close the door and found two cups of tea and some biscuits beside the door for us.

  " That was weird." Rabeena said after he was out of earshot,

  “Tell me about it."

  * * * * *

  -" Hurry up! We don't have to be late on our first day."

  " Yeah, and we also don't have to look like fools running frantically into the ground!"

  That made Rabeena slow down a bit, but we still looked like we are going for being slaughtered. I stopped Rabeena by grabbing her shoulder.

  " Rabeena, calm down! "

  " But I don't feel any confidence" she said, (more like whined)

  " Then pretend it. Your nervousness is effecting me too." I snapped. " Now deep breath, spine straight, head high, gaze forward. Let's go."

  As we reached, we saw hundreds of trainees milling about in their brand new uniform. We slowly walked near the crowd, triggering a series of whispers and stares.

  I found Deepak walking towards us, with two more fellows behind him.

  " Good morning." I said.

  " Good morning." The boys said in unison, then Deepak gestured at his companions, " This is Nitesh and that's Rafique."

  Rafique was slightly taller than Deepak with a lean built, a light skin complexion and a lopsided smile. He was eyeing us up and down. On the other hand that Nitesh guy was way taller with a unibrow, and he looked like those happy and overexited fellas from community events.

  Deepak opened his mouth to say something, but was the trumpet blew again, turning our attention to our Training Officer, Subedar Rathor sir approaching.

  " Trainees, line up ." He boomed, and we scurried to follow

  After we lined up Rathore sir stood in front and addressed the newest batch of trainees of JAKLI that we were.

  " Trainees, and future Jawans, today is the day you start your training. You have worked hard to reach here, and from today you are going to have to work harder each and every day to earn that regimental badge on your shoulders which is why you are here for." He stopped for a moment to eye the lines, then said something that made me to stand up straighter and a slight hint of pride swelled my chest. "And as we know your batch is very special, given the presence of your female fellow trainees which is the very first time in Indian Army's infantry division. So we hope you all will welcome the change sportingly. Now without wasting any more time, let's begin your journey."

  " Now run. 4 laps around the training ground. Let your training begin." He blew his whistle and started to run. The whole batch followed him. It was more of a jog than a run. We ran in a steady pace but after completing one and a half lap, every one including me was starting to lose pace.

  " Tired already? You slowpokes! You dream to become Jawans with this stamina? Fools! Double up your pace and complete the laps in next 15 mins." Our TO yelled at us from about 150 metres ahead of us "15 minutes!" " Impossible!" Whispers exploded all around.

  " Silence! Either do what is asked or leave." I was panting heavily trying to catch up.

  I closed my eyes and tried to still myself. I tuned out all the noise around me, and stopped on my tracks, letting others overtake me. I could feel my heart throbbing, the aching in my legs and my own blood gushing through my ears. 3 seconds I stayed completely still and repeated the words Subedar Rathore Sir just said 5 minutes before. I took a deep breath and pictured the oxygen of this fresh morning air filled with the smell of lush mountains course through my entire body, from the base of my hair to tips of my fingers.

  And with renewed energy and the most of my will power, I took a step forward, doubling my pace that of before. I circled the threshold of the training ground, keeping up finely with the all the others who had the advantage of long legs, and above everything, I kept up with Subedar Rathore sir.

  Even when my legs felt as heavy as lead, lungs screamed for air, I kept going, because everyone else beside me was doing the same. So as Kali Prasanna Ghosh said, panch jone pare jaha tumio paribe taha ( if others can do it, you can do it too.)

  But the laps were merely start of the training. We were allowed a 10 minutes break to catch our breath and drink water, which passed in a whip

  Then again the urgent, sharp sound of the TO's whistle rang through the ground and we lined up again. We were instructed to keep 6ft gap on both sides. And as expected, I was put at the front of the line. Why am I so short?

  I had to endure the direct, close up gaze of Sub. Rathore sir.

  " 40 push ups, now!" He yelled, "positions!"

  I dropped to the ground and waited for his command.

  But he simply walked through the lines to oversee everyone's posture. I heard him yell at someone to straighten up. He took his time looking up everyone. So much time that some beside me were unable to maintain their positions. Rabeena was sweating profusely, her whole body was shaking from effort, as one could expect to be the result of holding a plank for so long.

  I peeked to my side to find Deepak in the same condition. A few positions behind, Rafique was holding fine. And me? Even though planks are part of my regular routine, this was not the position I am comfortable in. I still had been maintaining my posture, but another minute, my hands will give in. " One!" Suddenly Rathore sir yelled. I didn't need to be told twice. My hands needed movement. I folded my elbows and paralleled my body to the ground, then again, pushing back up.

  Subedar Rathore Sir kept commanding.

  After 20 I heard a thud. I bent my head to find Rabeena face first into the ground.

  Before I could react, I received a stick on my back." Khud pe dhyan do, varna tum bhi kab gir jaogi." ( Focus on yourself else, you might fall too.) Rathore sir said strictly before yelling, " Twenty one!"

  He then quickly ushered two medics standing at a distance, " Arrey koi pani lao re, le jao isko, khilao kuch." ( someone bring water, take her away, feed her something)

  I felt bad for Rabeena, but I was powerless on this matter. So I did what I could: I pushed up.

  Even though Rabeena's fall has caused light snickers and a few mumbles about her being a weak female, she wasn't the only one. After 27 or something multiple thuds echoed around the ground.

  My own breathing was ragged by 35. When finally Sub. Rathore sir blew his whistle at 40, I nearly collapsed. I bend down my knee to touch the ground, for supporting myself. After a few seconds, I stood up, causing a head rush. My stomach was screaming for food.

  As if somehow hearing that, Rathore sir said, " Good job everyone. Those of you are still standing upright really did great. And those who couldn't get past 30-32, you have a lot to improve. Both your stamina and mental determination. Now let's get you people food."

  * * * * *

  I found Rabeena at the breakfast table, nibbling at a bread with her head hung low.

  I went to sit beside her. " You okay?"

  She didn't speak for a whole minute, the slowly said, " I made a fool out of myself, didn't I? "

  " Rabeena, you cannot expect perfection in the beginning. You will have to work towards it. And I am sure you will do your best. Now eat, you need the calories." I said you lift up her spirit.

  " But you are perfect from the start, why can't I ?"

  I smiled, " Who said that I am perfect from the start?"

  " You aren't? Then how did you did all the push ups without passing out, you weren't even struggling while Rathore sir was making us stay in the push up position."

  " First of all, that push up position is called 'plank'. Secondly, about the push up? Well, I don't know anything about you, since you always refuse to tell me anything, but I have been practicing push ups and planks since I was 9 or 10 years old. At first I couldn't hold a plank for more that 15 seconds, believe me. And it took a month's effort to complete my first push up. So you should not feel down because you failed at first, it just means that there's a lot to improve. You never heard that quote of Kalam sir? ' Failure is the pillar of success.' You will fail many times, just keep pressing on."