Soldier and Professional

 I am sort of guy in the house, whose eating is driven by what is prepared and presented. My initiative on the subject comes in only when I am alone at house. When I do, I make research and find a number of pleasant surprises. So I go for the tasty bits, lying in different corners, some times camouflaged. Invariably my eating activities are discovered on return of the better half and/ or domestic help.  It so happens thereafter, that these goodies I discover disappear from my sight for ever. I wonder, if I am a threat to tasty bits in the house

The knee pain I had was happening since the first decade on this millenium, however, I did not give up squash yet. I was already about 60. Only the pain forced me to work on the other leg. From 2012 on, I started using supplement to avoid surgery.  On one of the days, I  raced to catch a train, I had severe pain, and went to the Ortho. This was in 2016. So enthusiastic he was to have neared a client, that he offered to replace both knees, for reasons generally advanced by Salesmen, and not doctors. I was repulsed and avoided the hospitals. It was forgone conclusions that I also avoided squash thereafter. I was already 68. This is despite the doctors advise to stop playing squash by 40. Supplements continued 2018, visited ortho at RR Army facility, and follows by Base Hospital Delhi. Dr (Lt Col) Gogoi suggested to continue till the pain threshold went beyond toleration. He was happy that I was not taking analgesics/ pain relievers. 2022, the pain was getting more intense, parti...

I have never been comfortable with my driver's driving. Even as asked him to accompany me at times, either I would take the wheel, or else remained awfully cautious during the drive. On 06 Aug 2014, I was on my way to Jaipur, Shujan the driver was the driver. for a change, I thought I should take a driver, and relax at the rear seat. just short of the Kings Hotel, where thought I should have Breakfast break, I noticed that the car was driving too fast, and started getting too fast, too close to the truck ahead. I woke up the driver, who applied sudden break. The vehicle swerved, nevertheless, came under control. भागवान का शुक्र है कि इस समय हम  बाल बाल बच गये. Some thing prompted me that I should let him drive, as taking the wheel at that stage, would discourage him and lower his morale. Then can the Kings Hotel and Restaurant and we had the breakfast. I still allowed him to take the wheel (He later told me that he wanted to tell me to take the wheel for some time) Lo an...

02 Aug 2012 was the first time I played 9 holes with Rahul, after he was part of the National Team. Till we finished the round, I never believed that at this age (64), I could improve my stance, or for that matter the distance or direction. All Rahul told me was as follows: - widen the gap between feet as you address the ball, I did, i got better distance and direction. do not use wrist work, play as if u were 'putting', the wrist does not move-I did, and found that my fade/ slice had disappeared. keep the club face square first and then take the stance, in the direction where u want to hit-well this was basic, a refresher was required in the bunker, do not force the ball, just hit the sand, an inch or so behind the ball-it worked

Vinod is 68, and rather persistent. As I do, he too continues to play squash. He knew, that with me he could continue to improve his game. Such a situation may be rather perplexing to too many. In first place Vinod as he nears 70, wants to learn any thing at all, and that the same happens to be Squash. Nov 2009, saw me participating in the National Squash in my age group (55-65). Since Rahul, by then, was already in the National Squad for Golf, this journey was satisfying. Surely children should be happy with me for having played squash consistently and having reached this stage. Somehow, in May 2011, I felt, increasing pain in my right knee. To begin with I shrugged it off to heredity, my father limped on right leg in his advanced years So, may be. Suman thought otherwise and ensured that I had myself checked by ortho. Ortho in Fortis NOIDA found increased gap between top and bottom right limb bones at knee on the inner side and less on outer. Ortho wondered how I played squash. He ha...

08 Sep was quite a day. a rare occasion, when I seemed have hypertension. The sequence that needed attention are as under: - IGNOU threatened to cancel the session for Jan 2010. The material is not yet in the form of SLP, as required by IGNOU. Gandhis thought that we were ignoring our mother. The Material in English is as bad, the subjects were under wrong heads. Suman still has a problem with her boutique functioning. Mr. Pratap of RDAT was offended, as I spoke loudly with him. Surprisingly, I had a headache today.

I commenced playing squash in the year 1970, then 21. In 1985, Col Sundar Lalawani was my squash partner in Kalu Chak, a hamlet on the outskirts of the Jammu. He was a tough competitor in the squash court. Abruptly he stopped coming for squash. It was appropriate, that we call on Lalwanis, and we did. It so transpired that Mrs Lalwani, happened to have read an article by a doctor, who advised, that squash should not be played beyond 35, by some other accounts after 40. Well, that was rather unpalatable to me and made me uncomfortable, for it has been squash, which I had been able to play consistently. Here, I was beneficiary of the un-utilized squash racquet of Col Lalwani It was a foregone conclusion that well defined difference of opinion and animated discussion was on cards. I have a knack of survival. Now 60 and still playing, any time I am confronted with wisdom on "when to stop playing squash" I get away by stating, that I am a limited player, and that ha...