Within a few days of getting back to the routine from our recent reunion at Atali Ganga, it all seems like something unreal happened last week. Three days of good vibrations, carefree atmosphere, beautiful surroundings and unparalleled bonhomie really cleared the mind of any cobwebs that had grown since our last gathering in Sri Lanka.
The apprehensions that I had about the topography of the site were put to rest by the spirits of those of us who had to climb higher to get to their cabins. Their attitude in accepting the circumstances laid the foundations of a happy reunion and we all owe them our heartfelt gratitude for giving us such a good start.
For the record, there were 18 of our batch who made it to the reunion and out of them13 had their ladies along with them to add to the good cheer. Carl’s brother James also joined us. I think that a mixed social event now has a greater importance in our lives than a stag show. Many thanks to all the ladies, for being with us and completing our gathering. We missed Daffy Ratra [our senior], Satnam Sahi and Sirish Sinha as they could not join us owing to health complications. We wish them a speedy recovery and hope that they will be able to make it to the next reunion. A list of those who were there is attached, photographs will soon be posted on the net as they become available. A website for our batch has been mooted and Nand has accepted the task of seeing that done.
We all trickled in to the venue on the 4th of March by various modes of transport and were in full strength by the evening. No hiccups on the way in, the show got going on a relaxed note. Those of us who had got in early gathered in the White Water Café to wet our whistles with the liquids of our choice, Foster’s Lager for those with the need for it and other refreshments for those without. A buffet lunch with wholesome food completed the first meal after which all retired to their cabins for a well earned siesta.
The White Water Café is the main dining area of the resort housed in a building raised on a high plinth with a large verandah and a large outdoor seating space in front. The indoor seating is in one end of the long dining hall with a view out to the river flowing below from East to West.
Weather being good the evening began in the outdoor part of the café with cocktails garnished with offerings from the outdoor tandoor. Good cheerful atmosphere followed by dinner indoors. Our customary homage to those gone before us was deferred for the time being and, barring a few diehards, who gathered in Badal Sengupta’s cabin for a night cap most of the lot turned in as we had a fairly early beginning to the next day.
A “river float” had been planned for the 5th and we got into the mood with breakfast at 0800 followed by a session of donning wet suits for our rafting trip. When this subject had been brought up the previous day it had caused a bit of consternation among the ladies who had almost revolted but they took it in their stride and most of them did wear the suits. A bus trip followed, to DEVPRAYAG forty km. away, the confluence of the Alaknanda and Bhagirathi Rivers which make up the Ganga. The highlight of our day began just below the sangam with us completing our rafting gear by donning splash jackets, lifejackets and helmets. Armed with our own individual paddles, bladders emptied, we made our way down the steps of the landing to the river’s edge. A briefing by our trip leader, on the dos and don’ts of the rafting journey was patiently heard by a bunch of old sea dogs with an unusual silence, without any barracking and interruptions.
Our entire complement [29 of us] was accommodated in four inflatable rafts for the journey of about 50 km downriver to a place short of Atali Ganga. What followed thereafter was a most unique experience which elicited mixed reactions at that time but a gritty response from all, bar none. We rowed for two hours before we beached our rafts for a picnic lunch. The river was swift flowing and had a few gentle rapidswhich justified the use of wet suits but it was fun all the same. Carl Alexander and I were bowmen in our boat to set the rhythm of the rest of the paddlers and we did manage quit well. There was an expert manning the main oars of the each raft who barked orders for the paddlers and kept us regularly at work. Clear cold, swift water and the steep sides of the gorge kept us in thrall all the way as the river carried us to our destination.
We ravenously devoured a dry picnic lunch, beer had been forbidden so we did without. The rest of the journey on the river was just as long and by the end of it we were tired. Our outing had a very unusual climactic end when we beached our rafts near Kaudiyala and had to negotiate a rocky steep climb before we reached a flight of about 100 tallish steps leading to the bus waiting for us on the road. None of us will ever forget that bit. That was an ordeal for many and more than that for a few. It was a great relief that all of us made it to the bus. Once we had regained our seats in the bus it was protest time about the choice of disembarkation point. The condemnation was justified and almost unanimous. The mood continued till we got back to Atali but it had reconciled a bit with the realization that we all were capable of achieving something which we thought was beyond our capabilities. The greatest benefit was the bonding between us and whatever we faced at the end was relegated to an experience with all participants agreeing on the overall enjoyment of the voyage. Of course there was a fair number among us who admitted, that, had they known all about it, they would probably have dropped out. Three wise persons envisaged this earlier and had declined to venture out. Wisdom prevailed them to return to Atali , where they refreshed themselves and snoozed till the rest returned late all battered and bruised but their earlier allegedly voluble displeasure having petered down to barely audible grumbles, but grumbles they were without doubt; but then again with spirits perked up with the thought of what the rest of the evening had on offer.
For the evening we had to move indoors since it was wet outside – we were extremely lucky to have a dry day through our rafting trip. Had it been wet at the end, we would have probably needed to be carried up to the road! With the ice broken between us we were a lot less reserved and, and as a result a lot noisier for this evening. The day’s adventure had certainly been a game changer in this reunion. As ex-cadets we have an old bond between us but they way our ladies have begun to bond with each other is a unique development.
Dinner was early as we were bushed and, as before, die-hards had their last night cap with Badal before turning in.
Day on the 6th broke with a clear sky and a mist on the river down in the gorge, which lifted as soon as the bright sun made its presence felt. Breakfast at the Café turned into a sit out on the deck with a few of us exchanging yarns. Satish Sud led most of the proceedings with his inexhaustible store of anecdotes. A small party took off to Rishikesh to visit the places of importance there.
At around mid-morning one of the supervisors invited all of us to join in some fun and games on the ground floor. The games were good fun, developed mostly for promoting team spirit, which again broke whatever ice remained between us. The last game which began with both man and wife entangled with entwined cords who had to separate from each other without untying any cord took pride of place and provided the most entertainment for the entire crowd.
Bloody Marys, beer & cold drinks added to the festive atmosphere and that took us to lunch time. Like all meals, lunch was in the Café and in the customary buffet style. All meals served were substantial and well prepared, the cuisine well chosen and healthy, in keeping with the adventurous theme of the resort. We had the presence of some invited guests, Vice Admiral Koppikar I.N. [Retd.], Capt Ravi Dewan [1958-1960 batch], Mrs. ShobhaDewan and my dear friend Rajiv Puri, who helped us with our earlier recce trip to Atali.
An afternoon of siesta and then it was eyes down for our last evening of our stay. The more energetic ones got away to an afternoon of kayaking in the river. We gathered in the Café and began on a somber note with our customary remembrance of our comrades who had gone before us. Cathy Gonsalves was entrusted with lighting the candle to begin the commemoration. One more name was added to the list – though belatedly – Paul Dutta, who passed away in 2012. Each one of us then spoke aloud one of the names listed on the honour board. A period of silence was observed in their memory, flesh and blood guys who were all part of our life together on the Dufferin.
For a mood lifter the music started in Bhangra style and before long there were quite a few people dancing on the floor of the verandah. We moved indoors after that and continued dancing but that soon gave way to some singing and the old stalwarts – John Paisley in the lead, Paul [Speedy] Gonsalves, Amaraj Nain and others lent their vocal support. We sang some oldies and our Dufferin songs and kept the affair clean and healthy, much to the amusement of the staffers who watched us right till the end.
As each member of the group left we bid each other goodbye knowing in our hearts that we had all enjoyed each other’s company. We had achieved quite something, a mainly stress free reunion with no differences between us, closer bonding – a revival of the old team spirit. One last night cap in Badal’s cabin with a larger number of diehards this time accompanied by some more good-hearted ribbing was the last event before we turned in for our last night in Atali.
The 7th wore on as we broke off and went our separate ways, parting once again with a promise to keep this event going. During the reunion at various times, with the involvement of some of us an attempt was made to arrive at a consensusabout the next one but nothing came up. Possible venues could be Khajuraho-Orchha-Panna in Madhya Pradesh or Kaziranga in Assam. No attention has yet been paid to the time slot but, for India, February – March seems to be a good one.
My opinion, for whatever it is worth, is that the concept of this reunion is excellent, so much so that it gives all of us something unique to look forward to and participate in every year. From the time that we started in 2008 we are definitely closer to each other with no regrets. We have a steady core of participants, with a few variations due to factors beyond our control. We believe in each other and fully trust the managing committee of Badal, Nand and Shantagiri, who have done yeoman duties since they got together.
Shabnum and I have to thank all who were there for such a wonderful and memorable time. We are quite sure that we would, hereafter, like to attend each and every reunion. Keep it up my friends, a get-together like this is good for our enzymes.
To conclude, it is time now to thank the Atali Ganga management as well as staff for their courteous and caring behavior while attending to us. The food was of a high standard and abundant, simply but cleanly served. The accommodation was excellent and apt for the theme of the resort. They do deserve the international ranking that they mention in their brochure. They too, were quite impressed by our joie de vivre and admitted that we were probably the senior most group that they had hosted so far.