It was the peak of the harsh blistering summer in 2015. Chandimandir Military Station was getting geared and spruced up for the impending operational visit of our Chief, General Dalbir Singh Suhag. I was the one-star officer who was responsible for overseeing the presentation about ‘Operational Logistics’.
Having prepared an excellent presentation, my next important charter of duty was to lend the final military touch to the place where he was scheduled to have a night-long stay. It was a guest room thoughtfully named ‘Hajipir’ at the Military Engineering Services Inspection Bungalow (MES IB). It urgently warranted some renovation work to the exteriors which entailed a flurry of visits of several officers up the chain under the supervision of the then Chief of Staff (COS), Lt Gen Venugopal Menon. COS was a professional to the core and a perfectionist.
It was a herculean task to get the decision on anything from him as he demanded perfect staff work from all his staff officers. The renovation work at MES IB progressed very well and we came very close to the final inspection by the chief of staff. All of us who were involved in the renovation work were quite confident of a pat on our backs from the chief of staff but were quite apprehensive of one lone dry tree (Areca palm) near the entrance sticking out like a sore thumb. Earlier, we had been having brainstorming sessions for a few days on whether the tree could be removed. A closer look revealed that probably the tree had got infected. It was swollen in a few places with a few cavities and its wood was decaying. It had several dead branches that hung pretty low which lacked bark and had no leaves. We had called out the best of the entire military station’s gardeners for expert professional advice.
All the ‘Maalis’ had given a resounding ‘Aye’ that the tree should be knocked down as it didn’t have any hope of survival. Probably, the humid environment of Chandimandir or some disease had severely affected the health of the tree. Gardeners apart, we also took the expert opinion of all the stakeholders right from the commanding officer in charge to all the senior staff officers. Everyone agreed in unison that this lone tree was certainly ‘out of place and had to be axed. On one fine day, the General officer along with his retinue of officers was to arrive for his final check of the premises to ensure that everything is hunky dory. Even, moments before the final inspection by the Chief of Staff, we once again discussed various options for re-location of the tree or even to axe it. On his arrival, as expected, his hawkish gaze fell on the lone tree.
Everyone recommended it be axed. Lt Gen Menon gave a long thought looking at a distance and finally blurted out his firm and final order, ‘Not to be Cut or removed’. All officers got gobsmacked and flustered. No one seemed to agree with the decision but orders were to be followed. The tree had to be left in whatever poor condition it was in. Everyone present was certain that it would survive just for another few days. However, Lt Gen Menon indeed proved to be an officer and a gentleman with a tough exterior but with a soft heart who wouldn’t hurt a fly without any reason, what to talk of axing the poor tree. In one of my recent visits to Chandimandir Military Station, I made a special effort out of my hectic schedule to visit the MES IB just to see how that lone tree was doing which survived the axe and had a narrow escape. My joy knew no bounds when I saw the lone tree in full blossom standing proud and tall with its roots firmly dug in, as the sole sentinel of ‘Hajipir’. May she prosper and grow to greater heights in all her glory.
‘Jakho Rakhe Saiya Maar Sake Na Koye’