The Magic of the Hills at Dehradun

The crowded roads passing through serene surroundings led me to the juncture of plains and hills. The approaching hills at Dehradun were beautiful as always but  this time their beauty enchanted me all the more as I was at my dream place to accomplish the dream I nurtured through years.. TO FLY FOR THE INDIAN AIR FORCE . This chance meant a lot more than my life to me as this was my last year of eligibility for flying.

The lot was received at the Railway station Dehradun and we proceeded towards the centre . Gradually from the hush-bush and colours of the city things became calm and blue . The colour transferred all its energy to me and I was geared up for the process.
It was a gathering of around 160 girls which were divided as “freshers” and “repeaters”. The screening was conducted in two stages- officers intelligence rating test (OIR) and the picture perception and discussion test (PP & DT). My group was of 10 girls and I could comfortably make a story and discuss it in the group.Though the group could not arrive at a common story the testing officers still looked pleasently convinced. Three hours of repeated self assesment paved way to the results . My chest number was called out and I was elated . A total of 87 girls were screened in and I was glad that I made it 🙂 

The next three days were  beautiful and full of enthusiasm and  self confidence. My group mates were a bliss. It seemed as if we all were destined to meet through this SSB. The members were in complete harmony with each other imparting confidence to the group.Since the group was peaceful and we understood each other well we did not face any difficulty in the GTO tasks . Every member was given an opportunity and the group made a good use of the understanding it shared . I personally feel that I could not perform to the best of my abilities in the Progressive Group Task (PGT) and the half Group Task (HGT) but it was covered in the Command task (CT).

After the GTO  tasks it was the turn of the interviews. I was interviewed by the Vice president of the board .Tthe interview lasted around 40 minutes in which the discussion revolved around my personal life and my achievements. The questions ranged from  the meaning of my  name and its significance to what I have achieved personally and professionally, my hobbies and my interests and my relationship status.  It was a very pleasant experience and I was confident . The confidence came from the fact that whatever I spoke was the truth and the personality that was being portrayed in front of the interviewer  was ME .I did not try to manipulate things at all.

Amidst all the testing we strolled around Dehradun and had a lot of fun . From the Mindrolling temple to the stroll at the clocktower  it was a cherished experience. The fun brought the group close to each other  and memories that last forever.

Finally , it was the day of the conference. The thought of 20 officers in uniform sitting on a round table started haunting me right from the morning . As more and more candidates got over with their conference procedure the number of glim faces increased . This made me all the more tensed. But gathering all the courage and confidence I had for the last time I stepped into the conference hall as my chest number  was called. My conference lasted not even a complete minute and I had a breath of relief.
But as soon as I came out the ension mounted as it was the time for results now . I knew it was now or never  for me as this was my last chance to appear for flying . At around  4:30 in the evening our DSO sir came up with the results . I was stunned as he called out my chest number : “37”. I could not believe my ears but then something in me said  “well done”  . It was the hour of tears, hugs, laughters ,shrill shouts that called victory and a lot more .. To top it all a sense of relief. I called my dear ones to let them know the result but I knew my job was not over yet. I had to appear for the Pilot Aptitude and Battery Test (PABT) the next morning. All the form filling procedures was done and we were reverted back to our rooms.
The dawn broke but I did not feel as confident as I was throughout my SSB . But I knew this was the only chance I had to capture a dream I had nurtured through years . 4 girls had applied for flying. We were taught the basics of flying and were given the Instrument Battery test (INSB). All the four girls cleared it . Next was the major Machine Test .Only two out of the four of us cleared it . It could not believe it when the officer did not call out my chest number. It was a dream shattered. And this is something which cannot be achieved now … anywhere in the defence. Saying goodbye to the dreams of flying transporters and helicopters  I had to settle with technical and ground duty branches.
The experience of Dehradun is special in its own terms as this was my first SSB and I found a group of very elite people. The girls in my group were selfless and proved to be friends. Moreover nothing can beat getting recommended from the hills and when they are as special as DEHRA’s. This place has a magic of its own. Descending from the hills to the plains (for my home in Delhi) all I could say to myself was “1 AFSB DEHRADUN RECOMMENDED” .. but not flying ! .. (sigh) ..
Eagerly waiting for the merit list !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Author: Namita Tyagi

I belong to Delhi and am an electronics and communication engineer. I did my engineering from Jaipur Engineering College kukas jaipur in the year 2012 .My interests include reading books and poetry. I also pursue keen interest in writing poetry jotting down my thoughts once in a while.