The post of CSM was much coveted by the cadets. The CSM was a powerful and important person, who was expected to accompany the officers on their rounds, keep the first-termers on their toes and maintain strict discipline. Right from Billi to Cockroach to Nutty, everyone wanted to be the CSM. For Shiny, it was proving to be a big headache, since it added a lot of unpleasant chores to her busy schedule, allowing her little time for her studies.
‘We are now a gang of three,’ remarked Lucky, when the gang of four gathered one night. Turning to Shiny, she said, ‘What with you making only guest appearances, once in a while.’
‘I am quite fed up of being the CSM. I would rather be the JUO like Cockroach,’ countered Shiny. ‘It’s a much more comfortable appointment.’
‘I wouldn’t have minded being the bloody CSM,’ Nutty piped up. ‘CoCo and Paltu have not realized my potential. I can be very effective in that post.’
‘We will convey your thoughts to CoCo,’ Shiny tittered. ‘For all you know, they may consider replacing me.’
‘That will be a day,’ Billi rolled her eyes. ‘I can’t imagine what will happen to the company if Nutty were to become the CSM.’
Ignoring her remark, Shiny continued, ‘The jungoos are such dopes. One of them addressed CoCo as “Uncle”.’
‘What?’ Lucky was aghast. ‘I can imagine what happened thereafter.’
‘He lost his cool and told me to look for an aunty. I found it difficult to control my laughter. Not just that, he chided me for being too lenient and asked me to deal with the jungoo,’ Shiny laughed.
‘It’s true!’ commented Lucky. ‘You are too lenient with them. Do you want me to handle this?’ Just hand them over to me and see what I do to the stupid jungoos. I can start tonight if you want…’
‘Thanks a ton! They are all yours,’ said Shiny, heaving a sigh of relief. Exhausted by the tasks she was expected to perform as a CSM, she was happy to have some help. ‘You can start right away,’ she added.
Carrying her packet of wafers, Lucky vanished from the room. The next minute, her friends heard an announcement, which resulted in the sound of scurrying feet as the first-termers ran down the steps for a fall-in.
It was 11 p.m.
The jungoos were surprised to see Lucky instead of their CSM. Their surprise quickly turned into pleasure to find that a petite and smiling senior stood before them.
She waited patiently for the first-termers to shuffle into a line.
‘Everybody here?’ Lucky asked.
‘Yes ma’am,’ came the reply.
The jungoos smiled at Lucky, quite sure that the fall-in was not for punishments, but for a friendly chat. Their faces lit up with expectant smiles as the wafer-munching Lucky smiled and announced that she was going to teach them a couple of new games. Some of them were excited enough to clap their hands, while others beamed happily.
‘You will have to play it in pairs. So, choose your partners and stand together,’ explained Lucky with a beguiling smile.
Excited, the first-termers quickly chose their partners and stood waiting for the next step.
‘The first race will be a piggyback race.’
The jungoos looked puzzled. This was not a game they had expected to play so late at night.
Snapping her fingers, Lucky called two jungoos and asked them demonstrate the piggyback position and made them run along the corridor.
‘I will be timing you to see which pair comes first,’ declared Lucky.
The first-termers who had been saddled with heavy partners were soon panting and lagging behind those with lighter burdens on their backs.
‘Let’s give them a big hand,’ Lucky suggested after the race. Her words were followed by applause for the winning pair. The applause drew the attention of the seniors, and some of them joined Lucky to watch the fun.
Once the first lot of pairs had finished, she reversed the pair and the piggyback race continued. Their smiles now wiped away, the panting jungoos were wishing the CSM would take over.
‘Next game,’ Lucky announced. ‘You will now play the game of wheelbarrow. Let’s see which pair comes first in this one.’
She ordered two first-termers to demonstrate the wheelbarrow position and followed it up with a race. It was a tough act, with one LC balancing herself with her hands on the ground, while the other held her legs and pushed her forward.
The exhausted first-termers requested for some time to practice the game. The request was readily granted by Lucky.
A few minutes later, the game of wheelbarrow began once again. By this time, the jungoos were sweating and cursing under their breath. The exhausted girls pleaded for a break, but Lucky was in no mood to oblige. After three rounds of practice, the wheelbarrow competition commenced once again.
One of the wheelbarrows collapsed as the pair could not synchronize their movements. Another LC sat panting on the floor as her partner, who had twisted her ankle, lay groaning nearby.
It was time for a lecture, Lucky decided. She had not delivered any till date, but this was the time to begin. After having made them fall-in again, she stood in front of the first-termers with her hands on her hips. It was a replica of the Reichsführer’s pose during the sermons Lucky had been privy to.
‘When the going gets tough, only the tough get going.’ Lucky began rattling out what she had heard her seniors say in her first term, imitating the same mannerisms and passion.
‘Jo dar gaya, so mar gaya,’ she began. Words began pouring out of her mouth, and she spoke like a seasoned orator. Patting herself mentally, she continued, ‘The army is not just a profession. It is a commitment for life. You have to lead tough and rough men, and if you are not better than them, you have no right to lead them.’ Lucky was in her element. She believed in every word that she uttered.
‘I want each of you to give your best, not just in the academy but in whatever you do. These are not punishments as some of you may assume. They are exercises that will toughen your body and mind. They are known as strengthening exercises. We shall now begin our next set of exercises, which is known as putti parade. You have one minute to change into your games dresses. Scoot,’ she shouted.
The girls now knew that the senior meant business. They vanished in a trice. One by one they began trickling in after two minutes.
‘Your standards are very poor,’ Lucky scolded. ‘Your timings are poorer than the poorest and you need a lot of practice. Combat dress. One minute.’
The putti parade continued for a long time. It was interspersed with a heavy dose of front rolling. It was at 2.30 a.m. that Lucky finally let them free.
The regular fall-in at 4.00 a.m. in front of the CSM’s room found six first-termers missing, three wanted to report sick, and three wanted to go back home.