33 SSB, Bhopal

I don't know how to begin....
I don't know where to begin...
But let me begin with these words- "GOD YOU ARE GREAT!..."

29/08/2010 Sunday 0850 hrs

When i got down at Aluva station, my appearance was much worse than a beggar. With untidy yellow tee shirt and jeans, blotches on my face and a hungry stomach, i was looking like poor "Oliver Twist". All i could blame for was the two day's journey and smoke from pantry car very next to my compartment. I dragged my new Omega trolley bag mercilessly through the rugged platform as i was very weak to carry it. I was looking for my parents and soon spotted my mom at the gate. She didn't wear a bindi on her forehead, and didn't even mind to make up her face with talcum powder. It showed that she came here in a hurry. I left my luggage and rushed to her. I embraced her so tight that she was literally choking. I kissed and kissed and kissed her, and everyone around were looking at us. While i gathered my luggage my mom was talking to few strangers. I think she might have been answering their "EXCLAMATION!..." Meanwhile, dad was waiting in long queue to get a season ticket. I walked slowly towards him and closed his eyes, planted a kiss on his cheek. I can't express the joy we felt..we embraced each other, and i even lifted him up a bit in air... The best moment of my life. A big celebration of my small victory!...I just cleared my SSB, and within a few months, i will be a member of 5th largest NAVY in the world; INDIAN NAVY....

16th of AUGUST to 22nd AUGUST
Time : Begins with Breakfast @ 0530 hrs. Lights off by 2150 hrs ..

These were the most beautiful days i have ever spent in my life. I made friends with many chaps from different part of the country. I assure you that no place in the world can provide you such a platform to make friends like this. The screening test on day one breaks the ice which we had while we met at railway station. We all spent a good time saying non veg jokes, and the last night was the most memorable day of our SSB. We all gathered in a room, singing, dancing, saying non vegs, brain teasers, and i even got a chance to show off my masterpiece sounds "Donald duck" and "F1 racing". It was a replica of "INDIA'S GOT TALENT". We had a conference, in which the accessors came to a conclusion about our selection, and soon after the conference, results were announced. 9 out of 36 got selected. There were candidates who showed their real talents but didn't get selected and our hearts wept in silent pain for a while. Happiness came only after them, and we all promised to keep in touch. I remember Ramasreenu, (our best buddy,a conference out candidate) congratulating me saying "Deepak, serve the country as a good officer". I was speechless. How can a man be so selfless and congratulate someone whole heartedly with a firm shake hand?... I am sure that we will meet again in the same organisation. Rest of the day was very busy, filling up a pile of forms, forms and more forms......

22nd AUGUST to 27th of AUGUST

While being in SSB centre, the candidates are issued with chest numbers, and are supposed to wear it through out. Recommended candidates have a "+" sign with their chest numbers. We all were eagerly waiting to get one. And now begins our real misery. Its not interesting like SSB. We go to the military hospital and wait there for a long time. By 1400 hrs, our tests will be over, and will be free for rest of the day. Day 1 was to check our blood, URINE, taking X-ray and ultrasound. Day 2 and 3 with some others and finally, we had our surgical and medical tests. We were given strict instructions to get clean shaved. Cheek was insufficient...mmmmm... i'll say, every important parts of my body...And for the first time in our life, we used "VEET" the ultimate hair removing cream. I think they should make John Abraham as the ambassador along with Kareena Kapoor...We had to strip before few doctors, get our manhood checked, and few more...let your mind wander.......3 out of 9 got medically recommended. i was one among them. Rest of them were given a time period of 45 days to correct problems like overweight, underweight etc..Left to home in a hurry....

27th to 29th of AUGUST

The train journey...At first it was hectic, as the train were crowded. But there were few jawans from J&K with whom i got a chance to play trump. Thanx to college (hostel) life. I made a new friend in that journey. Girl of course. Very talkative like a friend of mine. Till that moment, Sidin Vadukut's "DORK- incredible adventures of Robin Einstein Varghese" was the only time pass for me. But now She, her brother, and other passengers soon became my friends. At least it helped to me to reach my blog address to a new hand. Any way they were more dynamic when compared to me.... One co-passenger was a JCO and the moment he came to know that i cleared my SSB, he was trying to behave like my subordinate. He even took my luggage to the doorstep....

Stroke of acknowledgement

# To dear Jana, who always said that i will do it.
# To dear Jana, who always motivated and made me confident.
# To dear Jana, to whom i could'nt keep my promise of paying a visit to
    Hydrabad bcoz f an unavoidable reason.
# To Capricious who said that "Man who has faith has everything".
# To all my freinds who prayed for me.
# To many friends' parents who helped me and prayed for me...

AND
# To God almighty.....