Page 183 - Leadership in the Indian Army

Benz would not open. To top it all, the car came to a spluttering halt just
outside the airport. While everyone was on tenterhooks at such an
inauspicious beginning, Sam transferred calmly to another car and the

cavalcade resumed its journey without further problems. When driving
along the Marine Drive, Sam was impressed by the upkeep of the buildings,
some of which were very old. These stately mansions looked as if they had
been built only recently. When he reached Colaba and saw the newly
constructed MES buildings, he remarked that they looked much older than
the ones on Marine Drive.
The same evening, there was a party in the officers’ mess. Knowing the

Chief’s preference, the Area Commander had told his ADC to keep an
adequate supply of Dimple scotch whisky. The ADC, a young Captain from
18 Cavalry, had given the barman a sealed bottle along with one that was
more than half full with instructions that the sealed bottle was to be opened
only with his permission. Due to a mix up, the open bottle was used to serve
the first drink not only to Sam but also to several others. When the barman

reported that only two pegs were left in the bottle, the ADC was aghast. The
GOC’s wife had told him to make sure that Dimple was served only to the
Chief, and if he opened the new bottle so early in the evening, he was sure
to be taken to task. So he asked the barman to get some Indian whisky and
poured two pegs into the bottle of Dimple. Sam was not a heavy drinker and
the four pegs should suffice for the evening, he reasoned.
When the next drink was served, Sam took one sip and grimaced. ‘This is

not Dimple,’ he said. The bottle was promptly brought for his inspection
and he sniffed it. He had another sip, then shook his head. When he asked
where it had come from, he was told that it was from the canteen. ‘Don’t
tell me the canteen is giving you spurious Scotch. You must report the
matter,’ he said. The new bottle was then brought and opened. When Sam
sipped his new drink, he proclaimed that this was indeed Dimple. After this,

the party got underway and ended without further mishap.
After the party, the GOC and his wife grilled the ADC and the mess staff.
The ADC confessed his crime and was lambasted. He was asked to go the
Chief next morning and make a clean breast of the whole affair. The next
day, a very sheepish Captain went to the Chief of Army Staff and said that
he wanted to say something. When he was given the necessary permission,
he blurted out the whole episode. Sam had a hearty laugh and said, ‘You

have been naughty, young man.’