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Branwyn Crystal

A critical Study by Branwyn

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Contents

1. Colonel Mahip Singh Chadha – A

General Intro

2. Significance of the Title

3. Plot Structure

4. Elements of Love

5. Treatment of Nature

6. Co-ordination of Generations

7. 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 officer

residing in New Delhi, India. A graduate of the Indian

Military Academy, Col. Chadha served in the Indian

Army for nearly 34 years.

During this time, he served in the Third Gorkha

Rifles—his inspiration for the novels.

Colonel Mahip Chadha was commissioned on 25

Dec1966 into The Second Battalion, The Third Gorkha

Rifles; one of the Indian Army‘s finest battalions, which

returned 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, Sir

Douglas Gracey, hero of the Admin Box in the Burma

Campaign, to be its first Commander in Chief!

The Colonel has two younger brothers—Dr Jaideep

Chadha, is a practicing physician from Chandigarh and

is an MD and Heart Specialist who loves to write and

play 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 husband

Daljit 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 AND

GALLANTRY –The Officers and Gentlemen Of the

Indian Army‖, through Rupa Publications in India. This

is 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 Armed

Forces of India as a viable career. It also assists children

in the National Cadet Corps to understand the Army

better. Other Ranks seeking a commission will also

benefit from it!

Humor and a rigid adherence to the prevailing rules

and regulations, is a unique phenomenon followed to the

letter in the Indian Army; which follows the perfect

example of secularism and unity in diversity. It is this

principle which endears officers of any outfit to link

themselves with the traditions of their troops throughout

their 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 he

loves 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 to

adapt 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 any

heating arrangements for the troops in high altitude --just

a kerosene burner to be used in a barrel like apparatus

called a bukhari! Choppers are still rare and used only

for 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 our

companions!

Heat dust, cold, rain, riverine terrain and the moist

jungles 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 different

periods-a rare honour for a soldier‘s family in the Indian

Army! There are events that threaten to separate them

forever. 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. Colonel

Chadha transports the reader into a world where officers

are veritable gods, living conditions are extreme and

brotherhood conquers all.

Colonel Chadha spent nearly 34 years in the Indian

Army, much of time with the Second and Third

Battalions of the Third Gorkha Rifles. Weaving in

memorable characters and events from his past, the

author highlights both the joys and hardships of military

life.

―A common Indian citizen has little or no idea of the

Indian Armed Forces‖,- says Colonel Chadha. ―It‘s

important that I give readers an inside look at what it‘s

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

brotherhood and sacrifice involved.‖

This is another book penned by Colonel Chadha

“SOLJER SOLJER”

Chronology:

Year of Birth – 1946

Passed H.Sc – 1960

Joined Indian Army – 1961

Married Mrs. Kiran – 1970

Birth of Ganiv – 1972

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Birth of Jyotan – 1974

Retired – 2000

Death of Mrs. Kiran – 2010

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 WINE‘

published – 2013

Gin And Lime, Whiskey or Wine

Ask any kid what ―Men in Olive Green‖ do and nine

on ten, you would get a reply that – ―They fight for our

country.‖ Such has been the image of soldiers in our

society. We know them as the fighters, the defenders, the

heroes.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 more

humane and closely knit to worldly affairs... That side

which we ignore purposefully…because we do not

realise that they have families too!

These perspectives come for younger soldiers who

take charge in the front, but did anybody ever think

about older defense personnel affectionately referred to

as 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 Colonel

Mahip Chadha is one such book which gives us an

insight into the lives of those old folks who get shifted

from 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 capability

of 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 of

the 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 any

single way or indicate any drinking session. There are

only two incidents in the book where the characters are

shown 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 the

readers – as if a propelling invitation for a drink is being

extended while flipping through the pages.

The title used by Col. Mahip Chadha is a new

experiment 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 about

alcohol beverages.

This is quite a welcome experiment by Col. Chadha.

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3.

Plot Structure

What makes ―GIN AND LIME…‖unique in

treatment is its strong plot structure. Colonel Chadha

intriguingly draws attention to each and every concern a

retired soldier has – be it the conduct of the new

generation or the condition of the country. Going

through 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 or

the other aspect of life in our country. These key-notes

raise the crucial social and political issues which a

normal bloke willingly chooses to blink at. Some very

particular 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 famous

poem ―All the world‘s a stage‖ written by Shakespeare.

The book ―GIN AND LIME, WHISKEY OR WINE…‖

is 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 of

grief! 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 bravery

will remain unsurpassed.

The Kerala Govt., headed by Shri VS

Achyutanandan awarded Rs. 3 lakhs to the family of

Maj. Sandeep Unnikrishnan.

The same government, headed by the same Chief

Minister, donated Rs. 5 lakhs to the recent Malappuram

Liquor Tragedy! What a joke? What were the options for

an 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 minds

we 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 lewd

way. The girl gulps down a beer bottle and laughs

hysterically.

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 Deepa‘s mother almost forces her to marry,

her words become loud. But in the loudness of her

words, Col. Chadha whiplashes the rotten systems of

nuptial union. As Deepa‘s words go – ―Both of us will

be on our best behavior and we will really never know

each other till we are married and then we will get to

know the gory details – many of my friends found out

that 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 mothers – long enough to reach the

USA! Others are in a financial mess while some have

this total fear of their fathers and cannot talk to them. In

fact 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 that

wake-up call for the people of the nation that if you

don‘t wake up today, there won‘t be any tomorrow.

Here are some of the issues which Colonel Chadha

directly puts up preparing the concerned for

confrontation.

“Even though we cannot match the Chinese and

Japanese bullet trains, we have so many fresh cases of

corruption singing forth, that it is difficult to keep up

with them and then to keep track of the old ones seems

completely impossible! Especially since the previous

cases 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 a

real deterrent for these rapists – who can rape an eighty

year old woman or an year old infant with same

impunity and get away on some sick and silly argument

forwarded by an equally sick lawyer that his client went

temporarily 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 for

rapists – then all these nonsense will stop!”- pg. 108

Later Major Kumar says – “How can you have

political figures who have three or four hundred cops to

guard 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 what

is the rapport between the public and their leader?

Pensioners returned their medals but Madame President

didn’t reach out to them because the Babus told her not

to bother! She was preoccupied with visits abroad

collecting gifts and looking for a nest to rest in after

retirement.

What a Commander in chief!” – pg.108

“How the Babus create unsympathetic gestures in

Soldiers’ Pay has been told about – “How can this

country 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 son

gets twice his father’s pension! To top it up – the Babus

gang up and prevent the Army, Navy and Air Force

Chief 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 its

enemies 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 they

could! And the stakes were high! Why a Babu should not

be tried in the highest tribunal for procuring at profit

redundant or obsolete weaponry for the country’s

fighting forces; resulting in loss of territory, loss of

precious life and loss of prestige for a country and her

valiant armed forces?”

Col. Chadha being a soldier himself puts forth his

views not only about the nation and the society for

whom 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 about

veterans, humour and true love. Elements of Love are in

abundance in the story. One thing to be noted in this

context is the different aspects of love. The book is

surely full of love but this love comes in multi-

dimension.

Patriotism – Love 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 old

folks share their part of the story of those courageous

and daring moments during their service. Though these

stories 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 justified

in 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 a

canvas of how our soldiers are worried for our country.

They laugh over the funny politics. But simultaneously

they show profound concern for the common man for

whom they fight on the border.

Soldiers are said to be living an isolated life, but this

book clearly connects their cord with our nation and that

too emotionally…

Love for Society

Various anecdotes throughout the book describe the

retired defense personnel‘s keen interest and love for

society. It is true that life in defense doesn‘t give them

enough scope to socialise. They spend a major active

part 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 AND

LIME…‖ 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 is

the phase of self-estimation. Retirement is one of the

most important phases of life. ‗GIN AND LIME…‖

talks about those retired people who seemed to have lost

themselves in course of time. The retired defense

personnel 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. They

take care of themselves; they take part in social

activities. Moments are spent on grooming oneself. No

opportunity is ignored which could create a positive

image 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 of

themselves 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 get

tired 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 LIME…‖

is a realization of this command of self-respect and self-

concern.

It happens when Admiral Kharbanda develops a

secret affection for Mrs. C. It happens when Major

Suresh Kumar starts to believe that life is beyond

mourning. It happens when Brigadier Jitendra Nath alias

Jitu plays a major role in the bonding of Deepa and

Chintu.

And on the other note, it also happens that Mahipal

dorms his positively active receiving cord for the honest

inclination of Ms. Leela and the Admiral!

Contemporary movie ―Listen Amaya‖ talks about the

loneliness of senior loners. Our society still doesn‘t

accept a young love pair if their bonding even slightly

alters its comfort. Then, thinking about the bonding of an

aged 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 senior

gave him enough insight to understand the missing

cords. Admiral Arvind Kharbanda never lets his feeling

known to anybody but readers do connect with him as

soon as his plight is discovered. And so is with Major

Suresh 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 come

together to fill the space in each others‘ lives. As it is

perfectly said that only the wearer knows where the

shoes 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 in

the fast lane leaving little scope for having interaction

with nature. Still Colonel Mahip Chadha manages to

steal some moments to describe the glorious glaciers of

Ladakh, the beautiful natural barriers of Indo-Pak

borders and the exotic but dangerous locations where

only a soldier could dare to go.

In the book, we also come across another aspect of

nature though in very little form. Nature acts as a

companion of soldiers. Be it the snowy air in the Ladakh

or the greeneries of the Joggers Park, nature acts as an

individual at times,which who develops a background

for people‘s emotions. Though Colonel Chadha prefers

to keep mum throughout the book, nature is eloquent in

some scenes especially those in the joggers park. The

silence of the greeneries makes one with the loneliness

of the defense folks. It seems that a cordial but secret

relation is being maintained by nature and the characters

but 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 the

characters. In today‘s world when most of the people

mourn over the generation gap, loose relationship

bonding and several other things, ―GIN AND LIME…‖

gives true accounts of closely knit relations and Colonel

Mahip Chadha truly deserves applause for it!

It has been a habit of the world that bad things are

cruelly exposed, glamourised and indirectly imposed in

people‘s minds. But good deeds fail to even make

headway in people‘s conversation. So is the matter with

generation 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 are

very 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 Admiral

Arvind 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 his

consent, he then asks his ‗Nanu‘ or grandpa to persuade

his parents for the acceptance of their relationship. In

this whole note, Monty admits that his grandfather is

actually more like a friend and he prefers discussing

issues with him to his Dad. The Admiral even cracks

jokes with him.

Another gem from the book is the episode of Deepa

and her Big Daddy Jitu. Deepa is being persuaded by her

mother to marry a son of her acquaintances. Deepa

doesn‘t know the guy properly and has her own set of

valid reasons to avoid that guy. She speaks out her

problem 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 understands

her feelings better than anybody else. Later, Jitu also

explains her situation to her mother. That is how, both

co-ordinate their trust on each other. Later, Deepa is

introduced 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 of

generations‖ comes in the union of Arvind and Kusum.

The way their love is welcomed by their children and the

way different aspects of this marriage gets discussed and

the problems get sorted out, truly shine as the mastered

skill 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 his

skills 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 fiction

books. But once in a time, there comes a book which has

been penned with a caliber of changing the thoughts and

canvassing the unseen and unspoken shades of emotions.

―gin AND LIME…‖ is one such book.

The book is surely a great reading experience. Its

being 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 a

mandatory cache of funds to survive on as age plays

havoc with our bodies. Today, Old Timers refuse to die

because of better medicines, research, and understanding

of the basic facts that smoking and drinking harm one‘s

organs – damaging them severely; leading to expensive

treatment and hospitalization! Loneliness sets in after the

loss of one‘s 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 which

will make you laugh and cry with the Oldies as they pass

merrily through their Twilight Zone!‖

Branwyn Crystal – A Critical Study Project by Branwyn

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