The brat pack
Have you ever had a friend whose dad was in the armed forces? Did you envy his or her life, replete with clubs, the best sports infrastructure available and parties? Most of us did. But, for most of us, these friendships were fleeting. Before one could really know the person, his or her father had been transferred to a different place.
Proudly calling themselves “army brats” these youngsters have a whale of a time during army get-togethers. “I have stayed in so many different places, made a lot of good friends, experienced different cultures and attended some amazing parties. There are so many perks that come with being an army kid. But best of all, I get to travel around in my dad’s cool staff car,” says 19-year-old Ravi Chauhan.
For 19-year-old Baisakhi Banerjee, the best part is meeting people. “I have met such wonderful people who have been responsible for shaping my personality,” she says.
The kids get to stay in incredible colonial houses and have the opportunity of visiting places not open to the common public. “In 2010, I participated in the May Queen Ball, which is a beauty pageant. There were around 25 of us and we trained for three weeks. We would spend the entire day there and come back home at 11 at night and because it was May, everybody was on vacation and didn’t have trouble committing themselves to such a schedule. We would hang out, drink sodas and munch on snacks and talk, talk, talk! I got to interact with many people and made many friends who were like, “how can you stay out so late?” Plus, during the fashion show, all of us got to wear these amazing clothes,” says Baishaki.
Though all this sounds perfect, behind it lurks the stress generated by constant relocations; the insecurity and instability that these youngsters have to deal with. The easiest way out would be to study at boarding school but most parents dismiss the idea. “Parents generally want everyone together and not strain family ties. The good part is that in the long run, siblings become your best friends. I am very close to my sisters. I share almost everything with them. Every week there is a movie, tambola or dance night at the club. They screen some of the latest movies and there are food stalls where you can buy Tandoori food, Chinese food, street food, Arabic food etc. If my friends aren’t there, I have my siblings to chill out with. And our parents don’t mind us going to the club so frequently because it’s so secure and close by,” says Ravi, whose father serves in the 41ARMD.
For 18-year-old Trisha Gupta studying at the Army School, Secunderabad, shifting to new neighbourhoods is the hardest part but her brother has always been there to support her. “A couple of my friends had to change 12 different schools. I think that siblings are the greatest support system you can ever have.”
Even with having to move away from friends, these kids would not trade their lifestyles for anything else. New places and different learning experiences make them confident and cosmopolitan.
Post new comment