The Ranger

At the Summit

By Chinkholal Thangsing
The day was still young when we arrived at the summit in Leimakhong and the air thin yet cool which was a balm to the tired sinews and soul. The 18 of us at the Indian Army Attachment Training for University Cadet Corp was filled with excitement each day and the fun were soon forgotten when a good rest for the day with song in our hearts and a warm appetizing meal down our belts. The SLR and the light machine guns which were macho and fun looking became dead weights at the later part of the day as we slung those around our neck or shoulder and the interest in the weapons soon withers as we have to carry them which are big draw but also a big burden for those that lug with them same. There was however no respite as we trained ourself to be better person having brave through a miniscule part of the Indian Army training in the jungles of Manipur.

1977