Aagosh - When Viewed From My Eyes

Col Rajesh Mishra *

I am at the fag end of my tenure after spending about four and a half years in Manipur and reminiscing about my present tenure as also the past is very nostalgic indeed. I first came to Manipur in 1984 as a young Captain and had seen only a bit of Manipur, not as much as I have seen it now. Since we live in doubting times, some very grudgingly and some unequivocally will agree that things have changed for better as far as Army is concerned.

Calling the living conditions as pathetic for the unit in those days is an understatement by today's standard. Things have improved now. And even the conduct of the soldiers, save one odd exception, has improved manifold. There is a genuine concern for respecting the human rights even when conducting the Cordon and Search Ops which by the very nature are not very pleasant, neither for the soldiers nor for the public but there is no option either.

One thing however has deteriorated for the soldiers today though living conditions comparatively are better. I remember Poonch in J&K was considered to be a very good field tenure in 1981 when I joined my unit there. And up till late seventies officers would come to Imphal when insurgency was at its Peak in Mizoram.

Roop Mahal Theater would screen good Hindi and English films. Alas! Things have changed for worse. While normalcy has returned in Mizoram and the State is rapidly improving, Manipur is what it is today. And Poonch is no more a good field station either. In fact when I look back, proverbial grass is not allowed to grow under a soldier's feet.

Fighting insurgency continues unabated without lowering the guard and training for war. In nutshell 'Train Hard and Party Harder' which used to be a motto and life an extended tale of 'Masti' no more holds true. But yet the Army still continues to deliver the goods. The Army's record in Manipur in the past three years that I have been closely seeing has definitely been very good.

Even during Op Summer Storm I and II in which considerable weapons were recovered and some UGs were killed in encounter, there was no collateral damage whatsoever. The Division also organised an HR seminar and called the media person to partake in it so as to address the actual concerns of the people and also share their problem and explaining the inevitability of the ops.

The finest moment of glory, in my opinion, which went unnoticed by the national media at large, save a few was effecting the surrender of 64 cadres of Sinlung Peoples Liberation Army, SPLA, a newly formed UG group with considerable arms and ammunition. Engaging them in sustained dialogue and convincing the group to shun the path of violence was more difficult then eliminating them. Red Shield Division, however, went for a difficult option.

Sustaining such a momentum is extremely difficult as the soldier who is delivering the goods is stressed out and fatigued. Whilst he honours the human rights of others against all provocation, little concern is shown to his basic needs. It is with this aim that the Rest and Recoup Centre was commissioned at Leimakhong on 07 Aug 2009.

It is actually an extension of many HR initiatives undertaken by the Division. Aptly named Aagosh, a word often found in Ghazals means 'In the Warm Folds Of' is nestled in the picturesque surroundings of Leimakhong, surrounded by Koubru Hill (the highest hill feature in Manipur) on one side and Ukhrul Hills on the other.

Aesthetically landscaped Aagosh is a perfect tourist spot overlooking a lush green valley. Amazingly, the facility was created for a measly sum of Rs Two Crores and the project which began in Feb 2009 was commissioned in Mid July 2009. The Thambis of Bombay Sappers that is 18 Engineer Regiment would have really been stretched to a limit to complete the project. Possibly the importance of what they have achieved would not have sunk in.

During my stay in Imphal, I chanced upon to interact with some far and few tourists, both domestic and international who came to the city during November-December. Their general observation would be as to why is the place not developed as a tourist destination and as to why doesn't it have some tourist resorts? I wish I had an answer.

Aagosh is one such example which amply demonstrates as to how a low cost venture could actually be realised and I am sure Col YK Ahuja, who was actually instrumental in commissioning the project will be too willing to share his experience with those who are interested.

Soldiers in troubled land are misunderstood often for no fault of their own and are seldom credited with creativity. As Gen Shakti Gurung had once said about the prayer that a soldier must say, "God give me courage to change whatever I can, sagacity to accept what I can't and wisdom to know the difference". I could not agree more. AAGOSH when viewed from my vision could well be a creation which will connect present (which is future now) with the past (which is present at the moment) and also explains that prayer.

Call me naive if you wish to but when I left Manipur in 1988 after tenure of three years, I was of the firm belief that two decades later, Manipur would get back its glory that it richly deserves. Well I came back after two decades but unfortunately I am proved wrong. It definitely does not mean that I cease to be an optimist now and what gave wings to my flight of fancy was Churachandpur, one of the guest rooms in Aagosh.

View from there is breathtaking. I'd like to return to Manipur for a quiet holiday, request one of the Brigs/Cols now who will become the GOC of Red Shield Division then to allot me Churachandpur for a few days and call my friends.

Ms Mary Kom who was the guest of honour in the Opening Ceremony would've got an Olympic Medal for the country and she'd refuse to recognise me till I show her the photograph that I've taken with her on 07 August 2009. Rather than being an R & R centre, Aagosh would become like very many Holiday Homes for the soldiers in the country.

It will be a November or may be December evening, slightly foggy as the evening approaches. There will be camp fire and live band on and I and Prof Amar Yumnam would pull each other's leg, while Pradeep (Imphal Free Press) will narrate as to what brought peace in the land ultimately and my friend Rajesh Hijam (The Sangai Express) will reluctantly agree to have a drink for old time's sake, some young friends who I've known will be married to their respective sweet hearts and I will tell my wife and two brats that I was present when Aagosh before acquiring its new avatar of a Holiday Home was actually a Rest and Recoup Centre.

Ask me when it would become a possibility. Well I know I am not blessed with a very long life and hence may be just a few years from now.

Insha Allah! Amen.