Proud AFMC Doctors Celebrating Golden Jubilee

There is one medical institution in Pune (India) named Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC) that is only one of its kind. With its Graduate Wing established in 1962, AFMC has been a highly prestigious medical institution with a bit difference though. It produces doctors who as MBBS graduates itself, are competent to independently handle the medicare of the Armed Forces incl those at the frontiers of the nation, wearing their uniforms and being one of them in both their joys and griefs. Apart from the subjects of medical sciences, they are also made conversant with military medicine and service etiquettes & disciplines of the Armed Forces, both in peace and field stations. They are trained to assimilate with all services and Arms of the Armed Forces in homogeneity. These graduates of AFMC do their 1 yr compulsory internship in any of the Armed Forces hospitals recognized by the Medical Council of India before being registered and commissioned as full-fledged medical officers. All of them if found medically fit, are commissioned in any of the Army/Navy/Air Force wings of the Medical Services under Dir Gen of Armed Forces Med Services (DGAFMS) in Permanent or Short Service Commissions.

The author belongs to the 1974 (M) batch (hence, called ‘Emmer’) who had the Golden Jubilee Celebration of his batch from 13-15 Nov 2024. Every batch feel it the proud moments of such celebrations be it Silver Jubilee (25 yrs) or Golden (50 yrs). In the previous years, ‘A’ to ‘L’ batches have had such proud moments of their Golden Jubilees. Even the college administration participates in the celebrations of different batches in one or the other way. By now, all doctors of ‘M’ batch have retired from the active services of the Armed Forces. Thereafter, few have joined some voluntary or charitable services or NGO after their retirements. Most of them have had colourful checkered careers. This batch was proud to have one DGAFMS, two DGMS (Navy & IAF) as well as many Generals and equivalents. Some became distinguished professionals in institutions/service groups both in India and abroad. However, there were some deviations too as mentioned below.

One-odd doctors of M-batch batch didn’t join Armed Forces Medical Services for varied reasons and one-odd also decided to refrain from undertaking medical practices for personal reasons. Some left services after Short Service Commission whereas many chose to become specialists and super-specialists in various medical disciplines. As an exception however, one doctor after his compulsory Armed Forces service chose to become a Maratha Historian and another one became a Design Aerospace Scientist in DRDO whom we often see on one or the other TV channels voicing their expert opinions. Despite the diversities, all these AFMC’ites remain as a bunch, sharing common past and enduring the present ethos of a unique AFMC identities. There is one thing that makes the AFMC’ites very distinct from the other doctors…that is their Officer-like qualities of leadership yet full of empathies. They can be found all over the world, in most of the advanced nations yet always connected with their root in AFMC Pune. Despite all those variations, ‘they are all one’ when they meet in larger get-togethers or re-unions. However, not all batchmates are able to attend those get-togethers or re-unions. This time, only 60 of them could participate incl 10 from abroad. Unfortunately, this batch has lost 16-odd batchmates whose souls have departed for eternal peace. As part of Golden Jubilee Celebrations, all attendees stood in silence for couple of minutes in their memories in Bharadwaj Auditorium of the college. Some also shared their memories of the college days. The author too had spent enough time on and behind the stage/podium of this auditorium as member & secretary of the college ‘Dramatics Club’ and had many nostalgic memories but could not share his views for reasons beyond his control. Placed below are the photographs of the Emmers without and with spouses.

Fifty years of AFMC bond is no mean achievement of having had shared past. By now, all of them are nearly 70 yrs old with wealth of experiences in varied fields. Many of them were champions in the college days, earning prestigious college colours for their precious and valued contributions in specific fields…be it public speaking, sports, dramatics and so on. There were one-odd students who could earn even two college colours in different disciplines. It is worth remembering that AFMC students are selected from all India entrance examination followed by a unique and arduous interview which no other medical college have. Four and half years of education at AFMC ensures that all students have adequate exposures in varied ways of life and get all-round personality development. Hence, excellence in extracurricular activities could be expected by most, if not all. M-batch was also unique in being known to have a girl of unmatched beauty in the then AFMC history.

The Golden Jubilee Celebrations are by and large private affairs of the Alumni except two events. It is a tradition to have a Ceremonial wreathe laying at the ‘Prerna Sthal (place of drawing inspiration)’ in the memories of those few Braveheart medical officers who have laid down their lives in the performance of their duties. It is also a tradition to invite all alumni along with their spouses living in that city for the Golden Jubilee dinner. It is also a customary to invite all spouses of the batchmates who are no more (meeting all their expenses).

All other events are left to the consensus among the batchmates to have fun & frolics. Batchmates living in and around that city usually volunteer for various coordination, arrangements and contracting the service providers. It is a big ask with plenty of stress on those 70 yr old; but it is a pleasure and they do it smilingly. It is strongly felt by many that in the modern times, all these stressful tasks could be passed on to the event managers at some price though, who are invariably available in larger cities. The Emmers have experienced it in their Maldives get-together. They can take care of the entire get-together even in those parts India (or the world) where no Emmer or AFMC’ite is present.

The three days of celebrations, meeting, chatting and sharing thoughts on breakfasts, lunches and dinners were momentous occasions with sheer fun. Beer and Gin during lunches, whole lot of liquor brands at dinners often pushed most of them in high spirits and the teetotalers watched them fly high. Some of the batchmates and their spouses chose to sing, and the vocal few others came on the microphone to share their thoughts. However, there were many who avoided the limelight. It would have been desirable if even those few who didn’t wish to grab mics, were requested to speak few words because they too must have had enough to share their experiences of their post-college days. Besides, there is another group of batchmates who are seldom in contact, somewhat secluded who could not or did not attend. It is unfortunate that we all rush to convey condolences on one’s demises BUT avoid taking initiatives to meet such secluded batchmates along, while they are alive. Among them, there could be some who may need their assistance in whatever way BUT we generally lag at it. However, there was one thing remarkable…that all those who attended, were extremely cordial.

Presently at around 70 yrs of age, it is for sure that some of them may not live for another re-union/get-togethers. This is the time that all of the batchmates may like to meet more frequently, leisurely, at convenient locations; and listen to each and everyone even if for the briefest of the conversations or exchange of thoughts. That will be the best gift of re-unions/get-togethers. Pleasantries like conference bag, goodies etc are unwarranted. If they happen to meet at a location from where some items are famous, the group may be provided some convenience to shop in. The organizing team of the local batchmates already burdened with plenty of works, need not be put to task for those purchases. 

In this GJC, Commandant of AFMC was very cordial, inviting the Emmers for a special tea when he presented all with a very valuable gift of ‘suitably framed individual identity-card photographs of 1974’ that elated all, making somewhat nostalgic. It was so cute looking at those young faces of batchmates when they joined AFMC 50 yrs back. That day there was a lavish dinner at the Pune ‘Boat Club’. It was the last of the events where the stage with orchestra was set. Those few having musical skills sang Bollywood songs…some singing one, two, three, four or even five before the captive audience who had no escape. However, being one of their own mates, they heard all and clapped too. The next day, most of the attendees departed as per their itinerary schedules with loads of sweet memories. Although alumni of many other prestigious institutions too have their re-unions, AFMC in many ways, is unique; and those veteran AFMC’ites are proud of it. 

To sum up, it can be mentioned with reasonable conviction that AFMC as a novel institution in India, bears a very special bonds with its graduates, most of whom serve as military medical officers in any of the three services of the Armed Forces. That bond cements a very special relationship among them as alumni both while serving and retired. When they earlier celebrated Silver Jubilee and now the Golden Jubilee, it were momentous occasions with loads of memories, many nostalgic though. Being re-united during the Golden Jubilee Celebrations, their bonds are even stronger and they carried with it lots of joys. There was a collective wish that all of them also attend the Diamond Jubilee Celebrations in 2049, fully knowing that it will not be possible. The law of averages on the longevity of life is a universal truth and it would catch them up too. Yet there is no harm in wishing for it. However, get-together in a year or two is surely a possibility. Hope it is arranged by an event manager, putting no stress on the ageing batchmates. Long live the spirits of AFMC, the Emmers and all its alumni.