Light Within: 55 PMA Long Course on board

55 PMA Long Course on board
Saturday, 23 April 2011

It is April 17, 2011; the thirty sixth anniversary of commissioning of 55 PMA Long Course. On this bright sunny spring day, officers of 55 PMA are getting together at Mangla Lake. Everyone is welcomed at the Water Sports Club from where ferried to the rafts rocking in the middle of the Mangla Lack. It is in this milieu annual get together of 55 PMA Long Course was held. Over 80 officers, most of them accompanied, attended the great and colorful gathering.

Over time, 55 PMA Long course has become a closely knit and linked community. In addition to local chapters' get together at each station (Karachi Chapter is on April 20, 2011) , annual get together is held at different stations where one can see ever increasing spirit, growing relationship and mutually supporting connections at their best.

This time get together was planned at Mangla – off the beaten track very nicely laid out cantonment. Mangla is at its best at this time of the year. Even Acacia, Kikar and Phulai are lush green at this time e of the year. Visitors get the feeler of a hill station commuting or walking on those undulating paved roads up and down. Driving over Mangla Lake‚ my first sight of the boat (huge raft) anchored in a the middle of the Lake far below (there is a little water in the Lake so the depth looks more) quite took my breath. Pointing hull of the boat lay in pale blue shallows‚ riding on the swell. Even a hardened seaman would have melted at the sight of a creature as beautiful as the beautifully laid out raft. I looked forward to the promise of meeting my old buddies while sailing (call it floating) around the lake.

But I forgot all about the beauty and the environs as soon as a sleek and small boat puttered us on the raft. Among associates of 37 years you become same old self. You start reliving those old moments. You even like those old nicks and jokes which in those days you never liked. And yes, sanity look on from the side.

Big thanks to Tariq Khan and Begum Tariq Khan on my own behalf and on behalf of all our course mates for making this day so memorable. Our best wishes for both of you.

No one knew how our days ebbed away, an evening anchored beside the quintessential Mangla lake and we (Nadir Mir, Maqsood and I) started back. Hamid (Toni) was singing and it seemed as water and wind‚ hull and rig were singing a perfect note.

Update: The gathering of course mates started at Mangla garrison a day prior to the mega event as some 20 officers and their families from Lahore and Islamabad reached Mangla on April 16, 2011. In the evening they all got together at the garrison Officers' Mess for dinner.

Most images by Jalal Hameed Bhatti and are also at 55 PMA LING Course Website

Related: Veterans of 55 PMA by JAlal HB, Every thing else about 55 PMA Long Course

Labels: 55 PMA, Men At Their Best

posted by S A J Shirazi @ Saturday, April 23, 2011,

26 Comments:

At 10:44 AM PKT, Anonymous said...: AOA thanks for details of get to gather.I have seen you after I think passing out if I am not wrong as Shafique did not recognize you.regards Javed
At 12:47 PM PKT, jalalHB said...: Good reporting
At 4:26 PM PKT, Janjua said...: Such a beautiful day and wonderful people - I missed it due to a tragedy in the family. Thanks anyway for this resume, one can see all the mates, fantastic setting and fun all around.
At 7:20 PM PKT, Ali Akbar said...: After going through the write up n pictures,it struck me as I was the author of this article. Meaning thereby that you proved 2 be Spokes Person of every1 , who participated in this Galla.
At 7:21 PM PKT, Durrani said...: Shirazi, it was excellent reporting as usual. You almost took me along on the flotilla. Thank you. Keep it up Zaffar Iqbal Durrani
At 7:52 PM PKT, behzad said...: It made me dream my future.. i am going to be one of the PMA party very soon... IA....
At 10:08 PM PKT, S A J Shirazi said...: Best of luck Behzad.
At 1:37 AM PKT, RIZWAN said...: Shirazi
Wonderful reporting Well Done Tipu Coy.Hats off to General and Begum Tariq for hosting this amazing Regalia.
All the three generations of 55 really enjoyed to the utmost of their power and really struck terror into the hearts of the enemy.
\Long Live fraternity of 55
Rizwan
At 12:48 PM PKT, Zahir Khan said...: My compliments to Jalal and SAJ Shirazi for sharing the mega event with us through their eloquent description and photographs. So many old yet glittering faces remind us all the nostalgic moments of yester years. Our compliments to Tariq Khan, Course Secretary and organisers of the event.
Zahir Khan
At 1:12 PM PKT, Khalid Javaid said...: Wonderful to see young old people sharing the memories of their youth. You only feel and look fresh when you are in the company of those who spent their fresh days with you. In the pictures I can see inner happiness clearly visible on the faces and in the eyes of veterans of 55. May ALLAH bless you all and keep you ever smiling.
At 1:41 PM PKT, S A J Shirazi said...: Thanks Zahir Khan. We missed you.
At 1:46 PM PKT, S A J Shirazi said...: Khalid Javed: You know how it feels. I know that.
At 1:46 PM PKT, Nadir said...: Compliments to Shirazi for potraying the real image of a memorable day. It was a happy get together for 55 PMA long course. It was equally well articulated and presented on the blog capturing the course spirit.
Gratitude and best wishes.
Nadir Mir
At 1:52 PM PKT, S A J Shirazi said...: Thanks Nadir Mir.
At 2:24 PM PKT, Maj (Retd) Javed said...: The top image says it all. You all are 50 + (am I right) and being this happy at the age of 50 means a lot. Stay like this; always.
At 2:25 PM PKT, Anonymous said...: I like this bunch of babas without topies :-)
At 10:08 PM PKT, Zia said...: Age changes faces though hearts remain unchanged.
At 10:13 PM PKT, Maj Akbar (r) said...: Can you list the names of all those who attended?
At 10:14 PM PKT, Shirazi said...: ~Akbar: No. I can't. But may be Jalal can? I need to check with him.
At 3:37 AM PKT, Maggie Allen said...: One fine trip, I think I will follow in your egotistical footprints very soon.
Good for you , you look as if you had a great time with yourself. : )
At 10:38 AM PKT, Deb Sistrunk said...: The photos are fabulous. I enjoyed reading this post. Sounds like you had a marvelous time!
At 2:59 PM PKT, Rizwan Chaudry said...: Akbar,
The best source for getting the names of the officers who attended the Gala is the Course Secretary's Account clerk.May be your name is not there for obvious reasons.Hee!Hee!Ha!Ha!
At 11:38 PM PKT, Matthew Denos said...: I love the pictures you posted Shirazi.

Matthew
At 9:02 AM PKT, S A J Shirazi said...: Thanks Matthew Denos. I loved living it.
At 1:13 PM PKT, Anonymous said...: Hello.
The interesting name of a site - sajshirazi.blogspot.com, interesting this here is very good.
I spent 2 hours searching in the network, until find your forum!
At 11:30 AM PKT, sajini said...: Really enjoyed reading this report and the pics. I saw inner happiness of all who cherished beautiful time they spend together in their youth. When you reached mature age these kind of get togethers are important to make us remember that life was worth living for . May all of you be blessed always...