My Mussoorie
Days!
Mussoorie was
a turning point, an important mile stone, not only in my career, but also in my
life. When I joined the Academy in 1974, my life changed irrevocably. Suddenly
the horizon expanded. Madras, now Chennai, where I completed my M.Sc in
Zoology, though a metropolitan city was not comparable in lifestyle to Bombay,
now Mumbai or New Delhi. The world view was quite different. In Mussoorie, opportunities
just exploded. Under Dr. Rajeshwar Prasad, the Director, LBSNAA,
extra-curricular activities galore, and one can pick and choose what one wanted
to do. Having embroiled in studies to complete M.Sc, then to write the UPSA
examination, it was a welcome change. I think I just went mad!
Early
mornings went to the riding classes. One had to climb down to the riding
ground. I was fairly good at riding and I loved it. My horse was Josaphine, the
fine lady! Many a weekend, we went on treks on horseback in and around
Mussoorie. It was a good exercise for the body and exhilarating experience with
wind blowing on your face and the horse steady on trot or galloping wildly,
especially when you lose control! Our riding instructor Nawal Singh, would
shout saying, if you cannot control a horse, how would you control a district? Even
Indira Gandhi, ex-PM of, seemed to have held such a view. During the British
time, Collectors had to use horses to reach the remote interior regions of his
district. A colonial relic, may be, but it is an exhilarating experience,
giving one confidence and boldness to face any situation in the district or
elsewhere.
I was able to
continue this favorite outdoor exercise of mine, even after a break of 15
years, when I was posted to Mysore as Divisional Commissioner, Mysore. The
Police had their own training school there, Karnatak Police Academy, at the
foothills of Chamundi Hills, with a Horse-riding school. I went most mornings for
horse riding, many a times accompanied by my son, who was just ten years old that
time, and he never missed an opportunity to ride with me. I had the privilege
of leading the Dasara procession in the years 1990 and 1991, in the front along
with the Mayor of Mysore and the Commissioner of Police on horseback.
Then came
Judo, the Japanese martial art, where you throw your opponent by focusing on
grappling and throwing techniques, basically a close quarters combat. Many lady
probationers took up this course in the Academy, including me. Again, it helps
one with physical fitness, self-confidence, and teaches you self-defense. This passion
for physical and outdoor activities, blossomed into Jane Fonda aerobic
exercises, resistance training with weights and swimming for the next thirty
years. It really gives you confidence to face challenging situations in the
field.
The other
outdoor activity in the Academy was the two weeks annual break, when one went
to either a trek in Himalayan Mountain range or attended a specific training
programme like rock climbing. Our Deputy Director Sri. Yugandhar was the spirit
behind these activities. I went to Uttar Pradesh, now Uttarakhand, to train in
Rock climbing and enjoyed learning techniques of foot holds and hand holds and
rappelling. Last few days we trekked up to Gangotri glacier to see the beginnings
of Ganges River, a bit difficult and tiring trek.
Next year I
went for high altitude trek, passing Rohtang Pass and crossing into Lahaul-Spiti
valley in Himachal Pradesh, which is around 3980 meters high. The stretch was
covered with snow even in summer when we went. The pass connects Kullu valley with
Lahaul and Spiti valleys. Once we crossed the pass, we descended into Lahaul
Valley, with picturesque villages perched around. The trek offered a
spectacular view of the snow-capped mountains, fresh and snow-laden breeze,
lush valleys and alpine meadows. It was physically very demanding, but worth
the trouble. I refused to wear dark glasses while crossing the pass, and when
we reached the valley, I was totally snow-blind! On return to the Academy, when
everyone was going about normally, I was going around with sunglasses – a freak?!
Once in Bangalore
I joined the club Nature Admire and went on many treks around Bangalore up to
Tippu’s fort near Ramanagaram, walking through the fertile paddy fields and
sleeping on the parapet wall of the fort. In and around Ramanagaram there are
many boulders and we did rock climbing too. I rounded it all off by attending a
month-long Basic Mountaineering Course in Nehru Institute of Mountaineering, Uttarkashi,
now Uttarakand, and passed out with flying colors, obtaining an A! After
acclimatizing, in the last week, we trekked up to the Basic Camp in Gangotri
region. We did a lot of rock-climbing including rappelling which I thoroughly
enjoyed. For the first time I ravenously ate the cold cooked potatoes and full
boiled eggs and raisins rationed out to us individually at the start of every
day trek. One was hungry to say the least!
These outdoor
experiences gave me a love for touring the districts and villages either as an
Assistant Commissioner or Deputy Commissioner or Head of the Department of the various
departments where one worked during the Service. It gave strength and stamina,
courage and a positive outlook, and confidence to meet any challenge in the work.
Of course,
one had to be free of mundane works like cooking and cleaning, if one had to go
all out on such activities and combine it with work. Fortunately, in the
Academy you eat at the mess and they feed you quite well, and an attendant on
call to boot for mundane matters. I remember fondly Bahadur, who attended to
the Ladies block and was a favorite with all the lady probationers.
There were many other things going on in the Academy, classes, library, cultural programmes, shramdhan, games like badminton and tennis, yoga and Transcendental meditation, celebrating festivals including Holi, long walks to Library point, visits to Hari’s café, exploring the neighborhood and so on. But what stood out for me was the outdoor activities, which livened my life, not only during the first 2 years at the Academy, but throughout the career and thereafter. I thank my God, the Creator for these wonderful places and the grace given me to enjoy them.
Wonderful and
unforgettable Mussoorie days!
(This article was written by me for the Magazine, "Reminiscences and Reflections" of Civil Service Batch of 1974, the Fiftieth Anniversary of which was held at Mussoorie from 2 -4 April, 2025)
