Challenges of Commanding a Signal Regiment

With the high technical efficiency achieved and the regiment's ability to deliver the goods both during exercises and while at Ranchi had earned it a good name. In the mean time, new blood was also getting injected in the Div HQ and by now I also had gained experience and I could take a stand against the usual unreasonable demands by the staff.

Peace time Social and Cultural activities do create more tensions and have their own dynamics. Mrs Kulkarni the wife of the GOC decided to organise a husbands night. The lady wife of one of the Brigade Commander was made responsible for the catering arrangements for the function along with the wife of Commander Signals. In a sense it became the responsibility of the Signal Regiment. The lady perched on her high pedestal expected Jeet to report and consult her on daily basis while showing little interest or active involvement in the arrangements.

Though the function especially the catering part was a grand success it did not prevent the exalted lady from making a complaint to the GOC’s wife, about her being ignored and sidelined by Jeet, on the days preceding the function. Next it was the C Arty threatening my wife with dire consequences unless she showed due courtesies to his wife. Once again the exalted lady expected Jeet to get up and receive her or something like that during the periodic Lady’s Club meets, little realising that he was crossing sword some one made of a different mettle who not prepared to cow down to his empty threats and his wife’s unreasonable expectations. Fortunately both the incidents were soon blown over.

Many incidents stand out from those eventful and days of stress. To cite one I was detailed as an umpire during an exercise held some where near Mathura in UP when The Chief of Army Staff decided to visit the Division at Ranchi and also his itinerary included a visit to the Signal Regiment.

With me away from Ranchi it was then that Jeet took charge of the situation and showed the mettle she was made of and the CO’s capable wife. A message was flashed to me at the Exercise location about the impending visit. Fortunately I was relieved from my duty and permitted to return to the Ranchi Mathura to Gaya by train from where I was picked up midnight and driven in the Jonga through the dacoit infested Gaya- Hazaribagh- Ranchi road best avoided in night, giving me time to think even if not in a position to plan for the activity the next day.

Reaching Ranchi late night/ early morning I was briefed and updated by an excited Jeet who was in a tearing hurry on what was the day’s programme, what had been done and what all she had managed in her area of interest the Welfare Centre and family quarters not forgetting my uniform with leather of the peak cap, belt and the boots given an extra shine; all ready and laid for me to put on and reach the regiment in good time to receive the Chief: no doubt a signal honour for me.

Though I had full faith in my unit and the personal it could have been a disaster if she had not taken the initiative to get things moving.

Brig Lakshman Singh, VSM (Retd)