Step Out 2022

Dec 21, 2022

Indian Military Academy, Dehradoon, ‘The Cradle of Leadership’. It was my dream to witness the ‘Step Out’, normally humans dream at night but my dream was fulfilled during day. December 9th, Multi Activity Display &Musical Night at Somnath Stadium. Cadets fully clad formally mounted on steeds displayed various activities. Drill, Judo Karate, Soldiers in illuminated parachutes displaying drill as dusk was nigh. Oh!!! My God! Complete pitch dark, cadets on adorned steeds and so were the cadets. Pearls glittered round the fist, rubies and diamonds on their helmets so were the saddles of the steeds and replaced by glowing torches were their spears glittering. What a sight!! Never had I imagined, it was par excellence.

December 10th, all seated early morning, under high security, marched the troops, uniform, commanders and in traditional horse chariots appeared the chief guest and senior officials. Inspection of the parade, award ceremony! The highest was, ‘The Sword Of Honour’, to the outstanding cadet. Gold, silver medals. Then was the STEP OUT where cadets from 35 countries, 151 Regular and 134 Technical Graduates Courses took the STEP OUT and three helicopters showered rose petals, the black metal road turned pink. The junior cadets welcomed each and every senior till the bugle sounded the end of the Autumn Term 2022 Passing Out Parade End.

Memories of the 138th Annual Prize Giving at Mayo College, Ajmer. Sports Awards. Chief guest, none other, than an ex-student, Charu Sharma, turned celebrity, clad in formal Jodhpurs outfit, PT, drill, acrobatics, judo-karate, students on steeds, trampoline, gymnastics, to the convenience of the spectators and audience were glass walls for display. ONE GOLDEN JUBILEE BATCH, TWO SILVER JUBILEE BATCHES, to be Honoured! After the traditional high tea was the Musical Evening in the Amphitheatre housing a thousand guests. Oh!! What a grand performance by some five hundred students all playing various instruments! Both vocal and instrumental, classical as well as light music.

The next day was tour round the campus, lunch, followed by Academic Awards. Principal’s Academic report, honouring the Golden, Silver Jubilee batches. Guess the chief guest, none other than ex-student - an old boy Doctor Hardy, from Northeast was honoured for his outstanding contribution to Arunachal Pradesh. I missed out the theatrical performance of Julius Caesar. Performing Arts, a new subject introduced along with French and German languages labs.

My holiday, winter tour of Uttarakhand , Nainital, Haldwani, Haridwar, Rishikesh, the Nilakantha Mahadev Temple, Dehradoon, Mussoorie. High meandering road chilling breeze, and softy cones. Oh!! What fun! It is mid December, celebrations are still continuing - the Christmas Carols , and Christmas, the birth of Christ. Cakes, gifts, parties and dances... Bye Bye December. From ‘Step Out’ to taking dance steps we should not forget the grand celebration after The Pandemic ought to be fun and fervour. Mask Up India.

Suman Sharma

Suman Sharma is a retired Professor, Head of Department of English, Government College, Ajmer. She enjoys participating in sports activities, reading, writing, singing and dancing. She aims to give back to the society which has helped her achieve her goals and dreams.