REMINISCENCES OF A SOLDIER: 95 NOT OUT ( PART 11 )

THE DAY SIKANDER HAYAT KHAN SPOKE TO INDIAN TROOPS AT SIDI BARRANI

      ( Sikandar Hayat Khan,Premier of Punjab)

"The Indian movement for freedom had caught on in a big way.With Chandra Singh Garhwali having openly defied the British in Peshawar & Neta Subhash Chandra Bose calling for 'Tum Mujhe Khoon Do,Mein Tumhe Azadi Doonga', all of us also looked forward  to the day when we would be citizens of a free country !

As I had said earlier that the Indian Army was the largest volunteer force in both the Great Wars ; their British Masters took them for granted.No doubt the Indian soldier was better than the best in the world and he never complained of anything. But, there is a limit to it !

While a human body can go to any extremes but such unabated   prolonged extremes started telling upon the psyche & performance of Indian soldiers.The World War II had got  stretched & ,therefore,proper measures of logistics & administration could not  keep pace with the higher Strategy of War.

The result was disastrous.Hindus & Muslim soldiers of  4 & 5 Indian Divisions reported utter dissatisfaction with their rations,welfare,pay  & living conditions. They gave an open vent to their feelings.They could no longer survive only on 'Millet Biscuits' & 'Tinned Milk'.This had become the standard ration for Indian troops for many months.

Even Napoleon had said that ' a soldier marches on his stomach'; in our case, 'there was no  stomach left;  how could then we march &  for how long? There was total dissatisfaction amongst us.

The British Generals got extremely worried. Top British Commanders commenced daily  visits to units comprising of Hindu & Muslim troops of 4 & 5 Indian Divisions.Motivating lectures were organised.

Sikandar Hayat Khan was the Premier of Punjab.He being totally pro British, was asked to address the troops.He had been a King's Commissioned Officer.

He came to Sidi Barrani .

He asked us as to what was bothering us.He was then told that compared to other Armies,Indian Army was not being looked after.They were surviving on 'Millet Biscuits & Tinned Milk'. Further, their living conditions were dismal.Welfare was neglected.

Sikandar Hayat Khan said, Quote " IN INDIA,YOU CAN BUY AN INDIVIDUAL FOR A FISTFUL OF BLACK GRAM AND,HERE,YOU ARE HAVING THE BEST OF TIME & YET COMPLAINING !".Unquote.

The  moment Indian troops heard these words,they dropped their arms in disgust & got up.It was a great task to pacify us.

Sikandar Hayat Khan was whisked away.

We never heard about him again.

Good things that happened ,thereafter ,were,first, our pay was immediately increased &, second,we immediately started getting our staple rations.




(To Be Continued)