Ablaze in a Blizzard

The readers may be aware that command of troops at a Battalion. (Regiment in some Arms ) is the great expectation among officers. At this stage the readers may also be aware that Officers who are posted as Regimental commanders consider themselves as elite of their lot and perhaps likely to raise in the ladder and retire as Chief of Army staff. They forget that their appointment is also carries the responsibility of looking after the safety, integrity and welfare of the men under their command. Many officers, especially those who are commissioned through prestigious institutions like "Rashtriya Indian Military College (R I M C ) considers that their appointment is launching pad for their further promotions. However some officers build the image of the Regiment by their upright dealings and exceptional care and welfare of all ranks under their command. The Engineer units who were functioning as independent Field companies till 1964 were amalgamated into Regiment of 3 Field compsnies ans one Field Park company. Ganesan who was part of independent 44 Field Park Company came into the fold of 4 Engineer Regiment. Since then had servrd only in 4 Engineer Regiment. So, his appointment as Commanding Officer of 4 Engineer Regiment brought great happiness among troops. So he did not mind the G O C's remark and returned to routine works.

The Regiment was deployed at different places according to Operational requirement. Tawang, Point 4770, and Lumla were the locations. Point 4770 was on the LOC with Chineese border. There was no road to this location. Troops were on two days marching with a staging camp at mid way. At one time a team of 5 jawans were going to Pt 4770. But after a days march only 4 of them reached the staging camp and one jawan was missing. A court of enquiry headed by a Brigadier declared the Jawan as "Deserter "and Regiment was ordered to trace him and the Govt properties like Rifle 7.62 S L R. At that time, the change in command of 4 Engineer Regiment took place and Ganesan came in as New commanding officer. The area was verymuch familier to Ganesan as he was the advance party commander to bring in 4 Engineer Regiment as 5 Mountain Div Engineers. So after going through the C of I, he drafted a letter to Adjutant General of the Indian Army, requesting him to treat the case as "Missing "instead of " Deserter " and sent it through proper channel. Because the G O C had countersigned the C of I. No doubt that the G O C had blasted Ganesan ,but could not hold the application. It was to everyone's surprise that the Adjutant General had accepted Ganesan's recommendations and the C of I was corrected accordingly. This gave great relief to the jawans family and they got all the benefit of death after 10 years.