Dehradun, June 22 -- 13 Lieutenant Generals, 21 Major Generals, 29 Brigadiers and around 300 Colonels and senior rank officers.

Yet, what truly defines this batch isn't just their past ranks, but their present actions. Decades after hanging up their uniforms, a remarkable number of these veterans, continue to actively contribute to nation-building in various civilian spheres, beautifully epitomizing the eternal military ethos of "Service Before Self."

Interacting with stalwarts like Gen Arun Sahni( the Sword of Honor of the batch), Gen Mehta, and Col VK Biala in a room thick with memories, one could easily see that this gathering was an absolute goldmine of human experience. As a writer, it was impossible for me not to look around the r...