gin and lime - a review [branwyn crystal]

8/13/2019 Gin And Lime - A Review [Branwyn Crystal]

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Branwyn Crystal

A critical Study by Branwyn


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Contents

1.Colonel Mahip Singh Chadha AGeneral Intro

2.Significance of the Title3.Plot Structure4.Elements of Love5.Treatment of Nature6.Co-ordination of Generations7.GIN AND LIME, WHISKEY OR

WINE A warm Read


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1.

Colonel Mahip Singh Chadha A

General Intro

Colonel Mahip Chadha is a retired army officerresiding in New Delhi, India. A graduate of the Indian

Military Academy, Col. Chadha served in the IndianArmy for nearly 34 years.

During this time, he served in the Third Gorkha

Rifleshis inspiration for the novels.

Colonel Mahip Chadha was commissioned on 25Dec1966 into The Second Battalion, The Third Gorkha

Rifles; one of the Indian Armys finest battalions, whichreturned to India, after the country attained

Independence, winning many laurels. It is known as

Second Third or affectionately as the VC Paltan because

it won the first two Victoria Crosses in WW I. It is ironic

that Pakistan chose one of its Commanding officers, SirDouglas Gracey, hero of the Admin Box in the BurmaCampaign, to be its first Commander in Chief!

The Colonel has two younger brothersDr JaideepChadha, is a practicing physician from Chandigarh and

is an MD and Heart Specialist who loves to write andplay golf! Navjot, the youngest of the three, who retired


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from Asian Paints-- is shepherding his family; as the

children are blossoming into their own.

Colonel Chadha was married to Kiran, who passed

away tragically in April, 2010. They have two daughters-Ganiv, the elder, is married to Inderjit and has one son

Jaskirat; while Jyotan lives in Australia with her husbandDaljit and has two sons- Jaskaran and Jaskabir.

Mahip Chadha lives with his mother in law Mrs.Gurdip Sethi who actually encouraged him to write!

Colonel Chadha has published GRIT GUTS ANDGALLANTRY The Officers and Gentlemen Of the

Indian Army, through Rupa Publications in India. Thisis a motivational book and serves to act as a much

needed career counseling requirement, for students of

classes 9 to 12, so that they can consider the ArmedForces of India as a viable career. It also assists childrenin the National Cadet Corps to understand the Army

better. Other Ranks seeking a commission will alsobenefit from it!

Humor and a rigid adherence to the prevailing rules

and regulations, is a unique phenomenon followed to theletter in the Indian Army; which follows the perfect

example of secularism and unity in diversity. It is thisprinciple which endears officers of any outfit to link

themselves with the traditions of their troops throughouttheir lives --during their service and in retirement.


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Colonel Mahip Chadha transports the reader to a

world where the Commanding Officer is a veritable God,

who holds the lives of 800 men in his hands - whom heloves like his own children, punishes them when they err

like a parent and mourns with them when they suffer!

Many troops of the West would find it difficult toadapt to our condition of service! There are no air

conditioned barracks or offices in the desert or the

jungles and mountainous terrain. Neither are there anyheating arrangements for the troops in high altitude --justa kerosene burner to be used in a barrel like apparatus

called a bukhari! Choppers are still rare and used onlyfor senior commanders or emergent details!

There are regions where the highest rainfall has been

recorded--leeches, scorpions snakes and others like the

dim dam flies which penetrate mosquito nets are ourcompanions!

Heat dust, cold, rain, riverine terrain and the moistjungles of the Eastern regions are our hazards--but the

soldiers of the INDIAN ARMY adapt and become adept

in consonance with the challenges of nature!

SOLJER SOLJER combines compelling fiction with

the actualities of life in the Indian Armed Forces,centering on the tale of a father and son who serve in the

Sixth Battalion The Third Gorkha Rifles at differentperiods-a rare honour for a soldiers family in the Indian

Army! There are events that threaten to separate themforever. This book offers an exclusive look at the inner


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workings of an Gorkha Battalion- an infantry unit of the

Indian Armed Forces- SOLJER SOLJER dives into the

traditions, customs and truths of the Army life. ColonelChadha transports the reader into a world where officers

are veritable gods, living conditions are extreme andbrotherhood conquers all.

Colonel Chadha spent nearly 34 years in the IndianArmy, much of time with the Second and Third

Battalions of the Third Gorkha Rifles. Weaving in

memorable characters and events from his past, theauthor highlights both the joys and hardships of militarylife.

Acommon Indian citizen has little or no idea of the

Indian Armed Forces,- says Colonel Chadha. Itsimportant that I give readers an inside look at what its

truly like to be a soldier in the Indian infantry, the

brotherhood and sacrifice involved.This is another book penned by Colonel Chadha

SOLJERSOLJER

Chronology:

Year of Birth1946

Passed H.Sc1960

Joined Indian Army1961

Married Mrs. Kiran1970

Birth of Ganiv1972


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Birth of Jyotan1974

Retired2000

Death of Mrs. Kiran2010

First Book GRIT, GUTS & GALLANTRY The

Officers and Gentlemen of Indian Army 2011

Second Book SOLJER SOLJER published 2011[Re-published in India in 2013]

Third Book GIN and LIME, WHISKEY or WINEpublished2013

Gin And Lime, Whiskey or Wine

Ask any kid what Men in Olive Green do and nineon ten, you would get a reply that They fight for ourcountry. Such has been the image of soldiers in our

society. We know them as the fighters, the defenders, theheroes.They are also extremely disciplined and

respectful!

But there is also an unseen side of these soldiers

which we seldom think about. That side which is morehumane and closely knit to worldly affairs... That side

which we ignore purposefullybecause we do notrealise that they have families too!

These perspectives come for younger soldiers whotake charge in the front, but did anybody ever think

about older defense personnel affectionately referred toas veterans and Old Fogies? The retired ones who spent


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their entire youth in Olive Green and after retirement,

face civilian society with which they are not that much

familiar!

GIN and LIME WHISKEY or WINE? by ColonelMahip Chadha is one such book which gives us an

insight into the lives of those old folks who get shiftedfrom defense to civilian life. The feelings of these folks

depicted in GIN and LIME unravel such perspectives

which develop an affectionate cord in the readers heart.


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2.

Significance of the Title

The significance of a title is decided by its capabilityof catching the readers attention. GIN AND LIME,WHISKEY OR WINE? serves the purpose in a true

sense.

The title has been picked from the last sentence ofthe book and the purpose of the title is achieved in

totality-many wonder what the story is about!

However, the book does not promote drinking in anysingle way or indicate any drinking session. There are

only two incidents in the book where the characters areshown having drinks together in a stylish manner. And

that happens during the re-union of friends and

acquaintances.

On the other hand, the mystifying impact of the title

cannot be denied. The title creates a curiosity among thereadersas if a propelling invitation for a drink is being

extended while flipping through the pages.

The title used by Col. Mahip Chadha is a newexperiment in fiction genre. Generally, titles are given as


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a sneak peek of the book, but as one goes deep through

the book, it is unleashed that the book deals with rather

serious social and political issues than talking aboutalcohol beverages.

This is quite a welcome experiment by Col. Chadha.


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3.

Plot Structure

What makes GIN AND LIMEunique intreatment is its strong plot structure. Colonel Chadha

intriguingly draws attention to each and every concern aretired soldier has be it the conduct of the new

generation or the condition of the country. Goingthrough the book actually catalyzes the nerves to send a

thrilling sensation directly through the spine.

The book serves the purpose of an eye-opener.

Several incidents described in the book symbolize one orthe other aspect of life in our country. These key-notesraise the crucial social and political issues which a

normal bloke willingly chooses to blink at. Some veryparticular issues signify the response to the wake-up call

this book seems to be conveying.

All the characters of the book are intertwined and

fulfill a purpose which they are assigned by the author.

It is also a character sketching skill of Col. Mahip

Chadha which could be taken in accord with the famouspoem All the worlds a stage written by Shakespeare.

The book GIN AND LIME, WHISKEY OR WINEis a stage where the characters come to play their role


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and fulfill the purpose they are assigned and leave an

important message behind.

The key-notes should not be kept without a special

elucidation.

Some of them being

a) In Disasters, Get Army In Pays and Perks,Forget Army

Brigadier Kumaraswamy wakes up in the morning

and eyes out an article which leaves his heart full ofgrief! But why?

It was about Major Sandeep Unnikrishan, the

Malyali Army Commando Officer who sacrificed his life

to save Mumbai from the terrorist attacks. His braverywill remain unsurpassed.

The Kerala Govt., headed by Shri VSAchyutanandan awarded Rs. 3 lakhs to the family of

Maj. Sandeep Unnikrishnan.

The same government, headed by the same ChiefMinister, donated Rs. 5 lakhs to the recent Malappuram

Liquor Tragedy! What a joke? What were the options foran enthusiastic youngster?

Join the army and die for the Nation


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Die by consuming illicit liquor?? obviously the

second one because you were compensated more if you

died drinking hooch! What a collection of warped mindswe were!

b) Why this Gen-Y?Another big fine day, Brig. Kumaraswamy leaves for

ECHS. On the way, he encounters two young chaps in an

alto. The boy looks at him and swears in a very lewdway. The girl gulps down a beer bottle and laughshysterically.

The Brigadier thinks Thank God my kids are

married.

But what about the next generation?

He shudders.

And so do we

c) Change required in Nuptial Arrangements??When Deepas mother almost forces her to marry,

her words become loud. But in the loudness of her

words, Col. Chadha whiplashes the rotten systems ofnuptial union. As Deepas words go Both of us will

be on our best behavior and we will really never knoweach other till we are married and then we will get to

know the gory details many of my friends found outthat they were not meant for each other after the fourth


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or fifth date. Some of these guys are actually addicted to

booze, others are chain smokers. Some have an umbilical

cord attached to their motherslong enough to reach theUSA! Others are in a financial mess while some have

this total fear of their fathers and cannot talk to them. Infact some are drugees as well! This is not written on

their faces!

The chapter ROLL OF THE DRUMS is the real

gem of the book. The drum somewhat symbolizes thatwake-up call for the people of the nation that if youdont wake up today, there wont be any tomorrow.

Here are some of the issues which Colonel Chadhadirectly puts up preparing the concerned for

confrontation.

Even though we cannot match the Chinese and

Japanese bullet trains, we have so many fresh cases ofcorruption singing forth, that it is difficult to keep upwith them and then to keep track of the old ones seems

completely impossible! Especially since the previouscases seem to be of puny sums compared to the latest

scandals which show frauds of mega bucks! pg.105

Why is that so many rapes happen in Delhi?Not because the Delhiites are not disciplined it is

because we have no punishment which could act as areal deterrent for these rapistswho can rape an eighty

year old woman or an year old infant with sameimpunity and get away on some sick and silly argument

forwarded by an equally sick lawyer that his client wenttemporarily insane. If Singapore has a law that provides


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death penalty for a drug peddler or consumer you

think someone will take a chance with drugs? If the

Supreme Court were to award a death sentence forrapiststhen all these nonsense will stop!- pg. 108

Later Major Kumar says How can you have

political figures who have three or four hundred cops toguard these so called LEADERS? A leader is essentially

one who is loved by the masses not one who has o be

protected by those who brought him to power. Then whatis the rapport between the public and their leader?Pensioners returned their medals but Madame President

didnt reach out to them because the Babus told her notto bother! She was preoccupied with visits abroad

collecting gifts and looking for a nest to rest in afterretirement.

What a Commander in chief! pg.108

How the Babus create unsympathetic gestures in

Soldiers Pay has been told about How can thiscountry hope to act outside the borders of India if her

honour is usurped by the Babus, politicians and

Corporate? Why has the media not hounded the

government on OROP[One Rank One Pension]?Imagine a father and a son who retired in the same rank

living under the same roof after retirement but the songets twice his fathers pension! To top it up the Babus

gang up and prevent the Army, Navy and Air ForceChief from having their representatives on the panel of

the Sixth Pay Commission! The bigger news breaking


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observation is that the three Chiefs accept this nonsense,

instead of resigning!- pg. 110

Col. Chadha whiplashes the Babus in chapter

BARRACUDA BABUS

There was no love for the country, its fight with itsenemies or even for that matter, for that famous word

called loyalty or for a sister word called treason. They

were simply trying to make money any which way theycould! And the stakes were high! Why a Babu should notbe tried in the highest tribunal for procuring at profit

redundant or obsolete weaponry for the countrysfighting forces; resulting in loss of territory, loss of

precious life and loss of prestige for a country and hervaliant armed forces?

Col. Chadha being a soldier himself puts forth hisviews not only about the nation and the society forwhom the soldier fights but also introduces that face of

the soldiers which is willingly ignored

God and Soldier, all men adore,

in the time of danger and not before.

When the danger is passed and all things righted,

God is forgotten, and the Soldier slighted.

- Pg. 159


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4.

Elements of Love

As said in the apt byline itself, the book is all aboutveterans, humour and true love. Elements of Love are in

abundance in the story. One thing to be noted in thiscontext is the different aspects of love. The book is

surely full of love but this love comes in multi-

dimension.

PatriotismLove for Country

The book being a semi-fictional account of the lives

of the defense folks, is full of patriotism. It happens

over the drinks that the old folks re-live those brave

moments.

There are many scenes across the book when the oldfolks share their part of the story of those courageous

and daring moments during their service. Though thesestories come as fun filled friends sharing, one cannot

deny that we need guts to face such situations.


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Patriotism, if delivered via a lecture, would go

beyond the heads but the way GIN AND LIME

talks about it, it leaves an impression on the readers.

The role of Men in Olive Green was well justifiedin the recent Uttarakhand Disaster. But when a remark of

their sacrifice came, a former General rightly gestured Soldiers sacrifice their lives only because of their love

for the nation. And GIN AND LIME is that token

of love.

The chapter Roll of the Drums is all about the

condition of the country. The whole chapter pictures acanvas of how our soldiers are worried for our country.

They laugh over the funny politics. But simultaneouslythey show profound concern for the common man for

whom they fight on the border.

Soldiers are said to be living an isolated life, but thisbook clearly connects their cord with our nation and that

too emotionally

Love for Society

Various anecdotes throughout the book describe the

retired defense personnels keen interest and love forsociety. It is true that life in defense doesnt give them

enough scope to socialise. They spend a major activepart of their life in Left Right Left. But after retirement


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they do get some time to take a sneak peek at sociali

activities. Regular visits to public parks, malls, encounter

with random people is what they cherish. GIN ANDLIME gives a beautiful reading experience by

summing up all these things.

Love for Oneself

Retirement is that phase of life when people get the

time to collect themselves. It is the phase of self-evaluation, self-introspection, self-introduction. It isthe phase of self-estimation. Retirement is one of the

most important phases of life. GIN AND LIMEtalks about those retired people who seemed to have lost

themselves in course of time. The retired defensepersonnel choose to sit by the bench in the park and let

the fresh air brush their aged old skin, which eventually

turns out to be a golden confrontation with ageing. Theytake care of themselves; they take part in socialactivities. Moments are spent on grooming oneself. No

opportunity is ignored which could create a positiveimage on others. All these sum up to be a part of love for

oneself. And this is what GIN AND LIME talks

about. The company of the other retired mates infuses a

blossoming happiness in them. They become aware ofthemselves and decide to infuse positivity back in their

lives.At no stage is decorum of the services slighted!

Love for Life

As the black hair turns silver, even human beings gettired of giving them a glorified brown colour. But at


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times, these silver chains themselves give the owner a

decent look which spontaneously commands respect

from the person standing in front. GIN AND LIMEis a realization of this command of self-respect and self-

concern.

It happens when Admiral Kharbanda develops asecret affection for Mrs. C. It happens when Major

Suresh Kumar starts to believe that life is beyond

mourning. It happens when Brigadier Jitendra Nath aliasJitu plays a major role in the bonding of Deepa andChintu.

And on the other note, it also happens that Mahipal

dorms his positively active receiving cord for the honestinclination of Ms. Leela and the Admiral!

Contemporary movie Listen Amaya talks about theloneliness of senior loners. Our society still doesntaccept a young love pair if their bonding even slightly

alters its comfort. Then, thinking about the bonding of anaged pair who unite for emotional equivalency, seems

far beyond consideration. Those who suffer look towards

the next generation for a change. Still, till date hypocrisy

has been winning over normal human requirements.Colonel Chadha has been very eloquent on this matter in

the book. Spending quite good time with the loner seniorgave him enough insight to understand the missing

cords. Admiral Arvind Kharbanda never lets his feelingknown to anybody but readers do connect with him as

soon as his plight is discovered. And so is with MajorSuresh Kumar who still refuses to believe that his wife


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Sheila has gone forever. Mrs. Suri plays such a vital role

whole throughout the lives of other characters that her

lively presence is felt by the readers.

All these people are old in age and have cometogether to fill the space in each others lives. As it is

perfectly said that only the wearer knows where theshoes pinches. These folks, going through the same

situations understand each other quite better.


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5.

Treatment of Nature

The plot of GIN AND LIME is set on the urban

of New Delhi. New Delhi is a metro where life moves inthe fast lane leaving little scope for having interaction

with nature. Still Colonel Mahip Chadha manages tosteal some moments to describe the glorious glaciers of

Ladakh, the beautiful natural barriers of Indo-Pakborders and the exotic but dangerous locations where

only a soldier could dare to go.

In the book, we also come across another aspect ofnature though in very little form. Nature acts as a

companion of soldiers. Be it the snowy air in the Ladakhor the greeneries of the Joggers Park, nature acts as an

individual at times,which who develops a background

for peoples emotions. Though Colonel Chadha prefers

to keep mum throughout the book, nature is eloquent in

some scenes especially those in the joggers park. Thesilence of the greeneries makes one with the lonelinessof the defense folks. It seems that a cordial but secret

relation is being maintained by nature and the charactersbut Colonel Chadha prefers to leave it as a secret

intuition most probably to be unraveled by the readers.


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6.

Co-ordination of Generations

One thing which makes the book unique in every

sense is its relationship with the bonding with thecharacters. In todays world when most of the people

mourn over the generation gap, loose relationshipbonding and several other things, GIN AND LIME

gives true accounts of closely knit relations and ColonelMahip Chadha truly deserves applause for it!

It has been a habit of the world that bad things arecruelly exposed, glamourised and indirectly imposed inpeoples minds. But good deeds fail to even make

headway in peoples conversation. So is the matter withgeneration gap. But with a profound thanks to Colonel

Chadha, GIN AND LIME stands as a healthy

symbol of relationships among generations. All the

characters of this semi-fiction are wonderfully attached

to each other and so are the different generations who arevery fond of each other.

But the best thing about this bonding is the

relationship among grandparents and grandchildren.Without quoting two examples from the book, it would

remain incomplete. The first one is about AdmiralArvind Kharbanda and his grandson Monty. Monty loves

a girl very much but keeps it a secret until his


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grandfather Admiral Kharbanda catches him red-handed.

Monty admits his love for the girl and asks for his

permission to marry her. When the Admiral gives hisconsent, he then asks his Nanuor grandpa to persuade

his parents for the acceptance of their relationship. Inthis whole note, Monty admits that his grandfather is

actually more like a friend and he prefers discussingissues with him to his Dad. The Admiral even cracks

jokes with him.

Another gem from the book is the episode of Deepaand her Big Daddy Jitu. Deepa is being persuaded by her

mother to marry a son of her acquaintances. Deepadoesnt know the guy properly and has her own set of

valid reasons to avoid that guy. She speaks out herproblem to nobody else but Jitu. She has full trust on her

Big Daddy and despite the big age difference, her belief

stands on true grounds that her Big Daddy understandsher feelings better than anybody else. Later, Jitu alsoexplains her situation to her mother. That is how, both

co-ordinate their trust on each other. Later, Deepa isintroduced to Chintu who also comes to know her via

Jitu by accident. Not for a single moment,does the age

difference or the generation gap element enter the scene.

This fact alone makes the book a commendable read.

But the best example of The co-ordination ofgenerations comes in the union of Arvind and Kusum.

The way their love is welcomed by their children and theway different aspects of this marriage gets discussed and

the problems get sorted out, truly shine as the masteredskill of experience of the author. Here, Col. Chadha


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strikes the right cord and voices the ignored necessities

of seniors.

An author serves the true purpose of being an author

if he foresees the necessities of the changing scenario.On this ground, Col. Chadha stands one step ahead as

not only he foresees the necessities but also executes hisskills by bringing upfront the unheard voices.


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7.

GIN AND LIME, WHISKEY OR

WINE A Warm Read

A major reader base of young India is a fan of fictionbooks. But once in a time, there comes a book which has

been penned with a caliber of changing the thoughts andcanvassing the unseen and unspoken shades of emotions.

gin AND LIME is one such book.

The book is surely a great reading experience. Itsbeing written in Indian English also adds a comfortable

note for the general readers.

Lieutenant General G S Negi says The most

important issues confronting the older generation are

health and also wealth. Those with pensions are

fortunate, but those without pensions must create amandatory cache of funds to survive on as age playshavoc with our bodies. Today, Old Timers refuse to die

because of better medicines, research, and understandingof the basic facts that smoking and drinking harm ones

organs damaging them severely; leading to expensivetreatment and hospitalization! Loneliness sets in after the

loss of ones spouse and weakens the desire to live. The


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old folks who have their wit intact forge friendship in

groups, joke, and laugh and take care of each other

fighting dementia and Alzheimer. This is a book whichwill make you laugh and cry with the Oldies as they pass

merrily through their Twilight Zone!

Branwyn CrystalA Critical Study Project by Branwyn

**


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gin and lime - a review [branwyn crystal]

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