My Experience with Republic Day Camp

 

After being settled in the great place and after being told of the restrictions we had, were supposed to be ready for the final battle. The competition in RDC is amongst Directorates. Odisha is an independent Directorate whereas West Bengal, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh is one.
The day 2 we were up and on the parade ground at 5. The day went revising, with less strain on the body and adopting to the procedures of the camp. The camp commander, a Colonel ranked officer, was the commander of Cuttack Group, selected on the basis of seniority. We didn’t have any advantage, but it felt better. He was one strict officer, in rules and regulations and safety. Camp Commander on the Day 2 banned activities outside accommodation until 6 in the morning. The next we woke up at the same time but were refreshed with the practice tune of SSK Band at 5:30 AM. By then, almost all of us were ready and were ready to leave once its 6.
The daily schedule had parade in the morning only, until the day of competition. After drill, we used to help the battalion for other competitions. I used to be helping with setting up the logo of Odisha and preparing the daily quote in Odia. The JDs were Santri (Watcher and Guard) for the day time 9-9 followed by SD for the other 12 hours. The evening was for preparing the guards and the Rajpath Paraders after the evening daily joint report to the commander. There were distinctive lunch breaks. We were loving the food at the mess. Wonderful set of dishes, with a chocolaty milk in the morning, fruits in the afternoon and sweets in the night. They made sure not a single amount of food is wasted. There used to one or the other competition once in 4 days. We had the three Chiefs also visit the barracks. Apart from the Prime Ministers Rally and the visit to the Rastrapati Bhavan, Delhi Visit and Agra Visit.
We remember sleeping very late before the day of the competition because we were not ready with the uniforms. We were called by the CO of our directorate and then with the help of Seniors, we made it at 2 in the night. The competition went fine for JD and JW and we were 4^th, the highest amongst all the three troops that we sent.
We even had a lot of fun, apart from the heavy task. We enjoyed certain competitions and I personally oved the visit to the Air House. Each day, was something really new. From Horse competitions to clay competition, it was all so great. I wish I could have recorded all of it. Also, I could have attended it again.