The OOD and the Bonda
Life of an “A” termer of BAAN Division at INS Valsura was quite hectic. But the food at the apprentices' galley used to be good. After classes in BLS/LTS we used to rush to the galley for our lunch as we used to be thoroughly hungry due to the busy routine we were subjected to.
The OOD used to come for food tasting in the galley during our lunch time and most of the OODs used to walk in to the Apprentices mess to have a chat with us youngsters to know our views on the food and motivate us.
The OOD who impressed us the most was undoubtedly LT. CS Gaikwad. Being an Artificer he used to take great interest in the welfare of junior apprentices.
Whenever he was OOD, he used to spend lot of time in BAAN and DHANUSH galleys
compared to other galleys. Visiting these two galleys was like home coming for him.
Once he enters the BAAN galley he used to call the Mess Secretary (“C” term apprentice) and keep him aside while talking to the CPO Cook incharge of the galley. As such the cooks also used to be tensed during OOD Visits.
On one such galley visits as OOD LT. Gaikwad, while tasting the food stumbled upon a Bonda in his plate.He raised his eyebrows and asked the CPOCK,” YEH KYA HAI?”
The poor CPOCK who was almost trembling due to the presence of the OOD inside his galley replied,”YEH BONDA HAI SAAB”
Lt. Gaikwad: “BONDA AISA HOTA HAI?”
CPOCK: “HAAN SAAB”
Lt. Gaikwad: “YEH BAHUTH CHOTA HAI.
BONDA BADA HONA CHAHIYE”.
We apprentices having lunch in the quiet dining hall could hear the conversation inside the galley. We sharpened our ears to listen to the conversation. The already quiet dining hall became more silent.
Lt. Gaikwad continued: “YEH BONDA ITNA CHOTA KYOON HAI?”
CPOCK was in loss of words to answer this question of the OOD. He regained himself and replied, “SAAB, MAANGTHA HAI THO AAP DHO BONDA KHAA LO SAAHAB”
Lt. Gaikwad was astonished by the reply of the cook. He wondered whether to laugh or get angry at the CPOCK’s innocent suggestion. He passed a smile and said to the CPOCK, “BAATH MERA PET KA NAHIN HAI. THE BONDA SHOULD BE BIG. BIG AS MY BALLS. UNDERSTAND?”
CPOCK: HAAN SAAB
Lt. Gaikwad: KYA HAAN SAAB? I TOLD YOU BONDA SHOULD BE AS BIG AS MY BALLS. HAVE YOU SEEN MY BALLS?
CPOCK thought for a minute and replied,”HAAN SAAB”.
The Mess Secretary (‘C” term partner) who was till then standing silent near the OOD
suddenly burst into laughter.
Lt. Gaikwad also laughed and continued, ”WHEN DID YOU SEE MY BALLS?”
The confused CPOCK didn’t understand now whether to say ‘HAAN’ or “NA”.
Lt. Gaikwad who realized the poor CPOCK’s condition walked towards him and put his arm around him and said,”DEKHO CHIEF SAAB, YEH APPRENTICE LOG BADE SHARARATHI HAIN.....LEKIN BACHCHE HAIN. INKO ACHCHA KHAANA KHILAO.. KHUSH HO JAYENGE. AUR AAP BHI KHUSH RAHOGE”.
The innocent CPOCK’s face now brightened up with a smile.
Lt. Gaikwad continued: KUCH SAMJHE AAP?
The now confident CPOCK replied on top of his voice: JI HAAN SAAB
Lt. Gaikwad patted the CPOCK on his back and entered the apprentices mess for his next session with the naughty apprentices.
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