Bunny and Angrezi Food

Another time, we were in Mathura still, one of our (slightly) senior officer was detailed for Junior Commanders (JC) Course, which he did not want to attend. This gentleman was friendly with a nurse in the local hospital. She told him to complain of chest pain, by the time the investigations were over, the date for the JC course would long be past. So he did and missed going for JC. The CO was on leave. On return he heard this story. His reaction was unusual. It was all a fault of the Indian food we ate, rich and oily. The 'Angrez’ were no fools to eat their type of food. From now on the Officers’ Mess would serve only English food; bread and boiled vegetables and boiled meat. At 20 years of age, this was pure hell, but you could not complain. The senior JCOs of the Paltan, wise and experienced made sure that we tasted food (a full plate, please) from the langar every day and they made sure that we attended roll call every evening and also tasted the langar menu in the evening. Finally, salvation came from our RMO. In fact, he was only attached whilst our posted doctor was on leave. He asked for reversion to his hospital. When the Adjutant asked him, he said he could not survive on English food. Rather than be laughed at by the whole station, the CO quietly countermanded his order. We in turn thanked the doctor for his bravery.