After nearly a month of extensive exposure to academic rays of the Phase 1 in the form of PPTs and Seminars, a much needed and a much awaited break was on the offing. The Inter-Services Meet 2016, also called so aptly as the Sangam, is a fairly new idea first tested in the year 2013. And the idea was to bring all the Officer Trainees of various Services together at one place and indulge them in various games, sports and other events which would allow them to know each other in a much better way. Esprit de corps may be the rhetoric but that doesn't mean that it can be undermined. All these Services are the pillars of Indian Administration and it's in the interest of the nation that they stand together and they stand united.
We were all so excited for other reasons as well. More importantly, it was home coming for our mates who had left us at the end of the 90th Foundation Course. Those four cherished months once again came to life for another four days. It was so nice to see people everywhere around the campus and Happy Valley was never before seen that happy. And also were happy the owners of Ganga and Pooja Dhaba but possibly for pure economic reasons. The first day was perhaps emotional for many with their pals and former roommates coming back again. And the unexpected rains seemed so symbolic in this light. As if the gods knew. The weather courtesy the showers was brilliant. And so was the atmosphere.
To our surprise, we were scheduled to have some classes even as our friends had started to pour in. I really liked the idea of our batch sharing our rooms with those coming from different services. It was like those good old times. Various services were tied up with various hostels so that their coordination can be smooth but we all know how that works out. People will stay where they want to. And of course, more categorically, with whom they want to. So the ISM began with an Ice Breaking session where we developed a marketing campaign for a fictional Civil Service called Indian Sports Service (ISS). Yes Yes, uncanny resemblance to a similar abbreviation. But frankly the real Ice Breaking takes place at Ganga Dhaba. The one which is for eternity. The one which is on the rocks.
So this time, we had planned for a two fold increase in the number of events and a similar increase in the number of participants. The total incoming soared to a blistering 270 which coupled with our own batch surpassed the number in the Foundation Course. The event was declared open by the Chief Guest in the Happy Valley Complex where all the participants stood holding their academy flags and placards. It was a colorful and picturesque moment to be in. The Happy Valley had turned into a valley of flowers with shades of the Athletics meets from the Foundation Course. Pure bliss. And then the adventure began. Three days of non-stop power play in Football, Volleyball, Basketball and all the other balls you can imagine. If that is not your taste of indulgence, then on offer was Geek play too in the form of Quiz, Debate and Management Games.
In the opening speech, our Director said a wonderful thing. That you should play to win hearts and not medals. This is one platform where we come together to develop long lasting relationships but the last few editions of Sangam had slightly gone the way they should not have. And these very words came to life for all the three days to follow. Irrespective of the winners, the crowd appreciated all. Everyone was giving the best and that too in the right spirits. It was a treat to watch players from different services appreciating the play and skills of the others. But then, the talent was such that you can't help but appreciate. The standards seriously were much above the expectations of everyone. I wonder if people in Services can play so well, what about our professional sportsmen. There is no stopping India given the right support is provided to them.
Now one of the things which can be changed is perhaps the format of the meet. The catch here is that there are many academies where the intake is relatively small with respect to other academies and ergo it becomes difficult for them to compete in contact sports which are essentially team games. So as a result they loose out on the overall tally and might feel that they didn't stand a shot at the trophy right at the first place which is technically true. So may be there could perhaps be a Sports trophy for the bigger academies and another one for other events which we talked about where the smaller academies are at an equal footing. Something the coming Sangam's can look into.
If the display of sporting talent was not enough, the Culturals were there to blow the minds. There was so much variety, so many shades and myriad colours. Be it the melodious story of a grandmother who struggles to learn how to read from her wonderful grand daughter, be it the story of Karna retold in the context of contemporary social evils, be it the Tandava portrayed in the amazing shades of Ultra Violet, be it the Sand Art, be it the Puppet show or simply be it the romance of the lonely duo. Breath taking it was, folks. Kudos to all.
At the end, many ponder and question, who won? Isn't everyone a winner here. Those who gave their best for their academies. Those who cheered the most for their academies. Those who cheered for the other academies. Those who cheered the efforts put in by others. Those who still believed in you when you faulted. Those who lifted up your morale. Everyone indeed, was a winner. Lastly, I raise a toast, to the wonderful spirit shown by everyone from across the services. It was wonderful to have all of you at LBS NAA. We will cherish these memories forever. Sports is that one thing that unites us irrespective of all the difference. It brings us together. It gives us strength. Muhammad Ali once said, "It isn't the mountains ahead to climb that wear you out, it's the pebble in your shoe." Let's hope this coming together has only strengthened our resolve to work together. The pebbles wouldn't hurt any more!
P.S. For Sangam experience in the form of Nishant Jain's poetry, click here!
And for a Short Film on ISM made by Mahender Tawar, Click Here!
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