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recruits) then in their early eighteens at the Training Depot Brigade of
Gurkhas in Hong Kong. At this bhela there were men mostly in their
mid-fifties, mostly grey or portly or bald, a far cry from the handsome
images we remembered. However, it didn’t feel like a 36 year gap, but
as if we had completed our passing out parade and clambered on
board the old 4-tonners to head for our units (must be the beer!!). A
brief roll call was followed by a quick update on who’s where and
doing what. Professionally it was no surprise that the vast majority of
numbarees were working in the security-related fields for the
government and private companies. Some are working full time as
ROs (Retired Officers) while others are administrators, operations-
managers, supervisors (cleaning/security), CCTV operators, drivers
(bus/truck/delivery/long haulage), carers and state wardens.
It was a memorable gathering and thanks in particular to the
organisers. The next reunion is already in the pipeline when we hope
even more will attend. Sadly, we have lost two of our members not
long after six months since this bhela. Our thoughts and heartfelt
sympathies go out to their bereaved families. Ironic that someone at
the party had remarked that funerals are the only time numbarees get to
see more of each other, until the next bhela comes round. Pray this will
not be the case. Be that as it may, it left a sombre thought with all of us
on that glorious summer Sunday afternoon. Jai Pachhatar (1975) saal
wallahs !
While concluding I nearly forgot the routine bhela, where two or three
is enough for a Pub bhela!
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