There are two important Public Holidays in our country, when Army Officers are Not free in the real sense. First is the Republic Day and the second is Independence Day.
On the Republic Day, Officers invite the Subedar Major and all JCOs (Junior Commissioned Officers), to Officers’ Mess for a Drink ( Cocktail) . Similarly on Independence Day JCOs invite the Commanding Officer and All Officers to the JCOs’ Mess for a Cocktail.
Being posted in Delhi for three years(a lifetime opportunity), I could never attend the Republic day Parade/ Independence Day Function , despite managing passes, because of these Cocktail parties.
Today being 74th Independence Day, I am missing the JCOs Mess Cocktail that I enjoyed throughout my Service in the Army. Generally, it is the only day when Officers visit the JCOs Mess together. To that extent, it is a matter of pride for the JCOs and they prepare their Mess in a befitting manner.
The function starts with a Formal Invitation. The Subedar Major presents an Invitation card to the PMC, President Mess Committe, inviting all Officers to the Cocktail on the Independence Day. PMC ( 2nd – in – Command) in turn informs the CO, Commanding Officer and all Officers.
At the appointed time, all Officers assemble at a place generally near the JCOs Mess under 2IC and together move to the JCOs Mess. CO arrives separately.
At the JCOs Mess, the Subedar Major and all the JCOs line up as per their Seniority to receive the Officers. The dress for Officers and JCOs will be Shirt & Tie i.e. Dark colored Pants, Light colored Shirt, Regimental Tie and Shoes. It is certainly a Formal dress for a Semi Formal Function.
Officers are ushered in to the Ante room and made comfortable in sofas. One or two JCOs will be sitting with each Officer basically to look after them and keep them engaged with small talks. This is an opportunity for the Subedar Major to Showcase his JCOs.
Drinks starts coming. Generally Rum is the favoirite Drink in the JCOs Mess. I loved ‘Old Monk’ with water. Since Officers are the guests, Mess Waiters from Officers’ Mess are ‘borrowed’ for the function. These waiters are trained ones and there won’t be any gross mistakes. As in the Officers’ Mess someone accompanies a drink for the guest. It is a tradition that is followed in the Officers’ Mess to respect the Guest. In JCOs mess every drink is accompanied by a host, may be a different JCO with every drink. The new host may think he is solely responsible to look after. Thus you lose count of the number of drinks you consume. In infantry especially Sikh Regiment, every host feels you are a ‘Thirsty Crow’. They never pour a Single drink. Every peg must be a ‘Patiala peg’.
Along with drinks, ‘Snacks’ too flow in. Boiled eggs, Boiled egg Pakoras, Palak pakoras, Onion Pakoras, Liver on Toothpick, Besanwala moogfali, Aloo tiki, Mutton Kabab, wafers, Cocktail Samosa etc. are some of the favorite snacks. Liver on toothpick was my favorite. They feed you so much that you don’t have to eat much for the next couple of days.
This is an opportunity for the Officers and JCOs to interact and know each other. You also come to know about the pulse of the unit. That’s what the Subedar Major will be worried too. Some JCOs after a couple of drinks will show his true color and blurt out some unpalatable things. I remember many such occasions, when such erring JCOs are marched up to the CO, next day. I have seen a few JCOs spoiling their impression/career in Independence Day Exuberance.
After the Cocktail party is over , CO leaves first. Officers leave the JCOs Mess premises together after thanking the hosts for their hospitality and the lovely time spent together. In 5 Sikh, we had a CO, Col Ramchander, who insisted that Officers and JCOs play a Basketball match immediately after the party. Over the drinks no one minds the banging and pushing each other. Believe me , after the match is over, all of us were ‘normal and sober’.
I have Served in Infantry (Sikh Regiment) and the Corps of Ordnance. Barring the Regimental Tie, the function is almost the same.
Function at the Officers’ Mess on Republic day will be similar but done the ‘Officers way’.
I sincerely miss my JCOs and the Independence Day Cocktail….
Col Ramesh R (Retd)
15 August 2020.
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