If a novel could be written the way the Defence Ministry wants, Boots Belts Berets fits the bill. This may be the answer to the Ministry’s huge spending on advertisements to attract officer cadets.
The descriptions and details provided in the book evoke such a perfect picture of life inside a military academy, that even before students finish reading it their minds would be roaming around the campus of the country’s most elite training academy — National Defence Academy (NDA).
Boots Belts Berets is a story of guts, grit and determination. It traces the transformation of an ordinary youth into a considerate gentleman, yet tough and ready to face the challenges of life.
The story is set in the 1970s when Pune was called Poona and Rajesh Khanna was every teenagers’ heartthrob. Nikhil Dutta, Albert Rebello, Randhir Singh and Manoj Mitra are thrust into NDA for various reasons. Though from different parts of India they begin to form an impregnable wall of friendship over the two years of their training.
The boys have heard of the glamour and respect attached to NDA cadets but soon they begin to realise that life within the campus is not as colourful as to those eyes witnessing the academy’s colourful Passing Out Parades. From getting used to unthinkable ragging from their seniors to the punishments meted out by the ‘funny’ ustaads (trainers) they soon learn that life is not just about spit and polish but six terms of adventure and achievement.
Far away from the comforts of family life each day becomes one to conquer. Despite the tough, disciplined life, they gradually realise that there is hope after all. They begin to have their own share of fun— from greenhorns telling stories of imaginary girlfriends, boasting about their sexual exploits, courageous attempts deflating their superior’s cycle tyres and boozing country liquor— they become tough soldiers. This saga skillfully presents the perfect case of how boys are ‘re-processed’ to become men of honour.
Tanushree Podder manages to bring out the youthfulness and adventure of life in the NDA. She also does a splendid job in displaying the humaneness of the cadets. Her style of telling stories is simple. The book is a must read for all.
