School of Signals Mhow 1955

Passing out from IMA Dehra Dun on 2nd Jun 1955 I with 21 others like me landed at Mhow for finishing at School of Signals prior to being posted to the Regiments. We were a motley crowdd some ex NDA, others ‘Direct Entry’ some from NCC and a few like me neither fish nor fowl the Technical Graduates. All immature and weighed down by the single pip on our young shoulders yet all masquerading as seasoned soldiers wearing stone washed cloth epaulets some brash some over confident others like me nervous.

Even before we could settle down we were advised by our group officer, Capt Paisley, to open a bank account and this soon introduced us to the wonders of a post-dated Cheque and the magic of how a scrap of paper got converted in to cash with the help of Ramchandra Bank. At last we had found the solution to the constraints of limited resources (Rupees 300 PM less Rs 50 being deducted each month towards the advance of pay given) and unlimited demands.

Mhow 50 years back was the same as it is today a few old bungalows may have fallen down a few new flats and buildings may have risen up yet the culture and ambience of Mhow was the same as today the town did come alive only in the evening when the Training Establishments closed for rest of the day it slept with eyes open.

The Officers Mess introduced me to Morris the barman with his imposing personality and handle- bar moustaches. He made the finest fresh-lime drink. There was also Fernandez the chief cook on dinner nights he would quietly stand in a corner hidden from view and watch the expression of the officers as they tasted and savoured each dish prepared under his guidance with satisfaction. Both institutions by themselves I kept meeting them off and on till my retirement and even later on my visits to Mhow.

Not to forget the barber Paiara Lal who knew every thing about everyone and enjoyed talking about the same a big name dropper he could be a pain in the neck would go on chattering unmindful of the interest or disinterest of his captive audience wrapped in the white sheet and at his mercy. I also cannot forget my bearer Manikam who looked after me in the room as also waited on the table in the mess. I believe he would entertain all the other bearers when we were in the classes with his vigorous dancing on my 78 rpm records of which I had a good collection.

The officiating Commander of TAC Wing, where we were destined to spend the major portion of the next six months of our stay at Mhow, Major G S Sidhu was not only formidable looking he acted the same keeping us terrorised successfully all the time.

Cable laying exercise way to Bercha Lake, with VP Singh Srivastava.
We were required to call on the permanent staff as per the army traditions leaving our calling cards one for the lady of the house and one for the unmarried daughter in addition to the one we were supposed to leave in any case. Being unsure of ourselves we were avoiding this onerous duty till we were reminded of the same rather forcefully. On the designated calling day dressed in our best summer suits and with a fist -full of calling cards all 15 of us mounted our cycles and came on the road. Going round and round circling the bungalows of the Comdt and other permanent staff in smaller and larger groups crossing and re-crossing each other while exchanging sheepish grins. Not being able to muster courage enough to enter the Comdt’s House No 2 the Middlesex Road as also not being sure as to from where to start the calling process after some more futile cycling we were back in our room; mission unaccomplished.

Visit of Indonesian Military Delegation.
This was not the end of the story next day we were once again in the Wing Commanders office this time with an entreaty to be kind to the staff and not to keep them on tenterhooks.

Room No 21
It so happened that my room located at the extreme end of the barrack wherein we the YO’s were lodged faced the Church across the road. Sunday mornings the spectacle of the pretty Mhow girls dressed in their finery streaming in for the Service and later emerging at times even lingering at the entrance gate acted as a magnet to the course mates. With easy chairs pulled up they would take vantage positions with me as the unwilling host Manikam my bearer serving Tea and Pakoras to the excited and chattering young fellows.

The Church that Came to Life on Sundays.
Was the lingering of the girls at the gate deliberate intentional and naturally irresistible with so many admirers opposite is a question I still ponder upon?

Brig Lakshman Singh, VSM (Retd)