The Grand Tattoo Show - Abbottabad 2008

The 2008 course get together of 55 PMA Long Course at Abbottabad would go down in the history of course get togethers as one of the very best, well laid out, rich in events and well organized show. I have already shared the details of the two days activities in two separate posts, but I am dedicating this post to those countless recruits of the FF Center who displayed a formidable Tattoo Show to honour the presence of our course.

For many of us and perhaps all children present on that cold Abbottabad night, the tattoo show was the first time ever for them. I had some childhood memories of the tattoo show from one of the Lahore's once very famous Horse and Cattle Show and then quite recently at Multan by the men of steel and men of 4 Armoured Brigade.

Herein under are some of the still shots followed by a video that I made and have since shared on the YouTube - I am sure the nostalgia of that night would remain fresh ever in our memory lane for many many years.

 

 

 

   

Watch the video below:

All credit goes to Ghazanfar whose aesthetics were at their peak while planning and executing the get together with such colourful and lively events - and we thank him for affording many of us and our families and children the opportunity to witness this great tattoo show - perhaps for the first and last time, as the tattoo shows, which were once hallmark of military functions, are dying down.

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Annual Get Together - 2008, Abbottabad (Day-2)

More than 60 officers along with their families and children came to Abbottabad to share the joy and fun that was artfully laid out by Ghazanfar Ali and the Piffers Centre - a two day event that will be cherished and remembered by all of us for as long as we are. I would specially like to mention of Aslam, who had come all the way from Bhahawalpur, changing buses and hiring taxis to attend the gathering - bravo!!

The proceeding of the day included a 9-Holes match for the golfers, putting competition for the ladies and children, a power-gliding demo, band display, folk dances by recruits of the Piffers Centre, mouth watering brunch, lots of laughers and photos.

After the golfers, the first to enter was the smartly dressed brass band of the Piffers Centre. The marched into the ground and came close to the specially allocated space for them to occupy it for the day.

While the golf match was in progress and the ladies were busy in the putting competition, there appeared a lone power glider right in front of the arena and attracted every one's attention. The glider circled the arena and came very close before pulling up and finally landed into the lush green patch in front of the visitors' stand which was cordoned off on both side by equi-spaced over hundred years old towering cedar trees. Children and officers both went to the glider and congratulated him for his superb gliding ability while the glider answered various questions put forth by the inquisitive children.

Then, while the officers formed into various groups to chat and share old memories, there was a musical chair for the ladies. It was well contested competition with lots of pushes, finally wives of Jalal and Najeeb remained to contest the final. It was well contested by both competitors and ultimately Mrs. Jalal won it.

 

 

 

The prize distribution ceremony was the last event to award prizes ladies-children and male golfers and participants of musical chair. More photographs will be added as and when received from Ghazanfar and other course mates. No award for the winning tug of war team as Qadri - the sports sergeant of Tariq company made it more of a fun game rather than a competition. We all enjoyed it - though.

The proceedings of the ended with a thank-you from Azhar Ali Shah to Ghazanfar Ali, his team and the Piffers Centre and a hip hip hurray for them. Then as a good will gesture, everyone threw Ghazanfar in the air three times. Then slowly and gradually every one started to leave - embracing each other with a hope to meet again next year - INSHALLAH. and so came to an a two days mega event - laid out very well painstakingly by the organizers - certainly this get together was the best so far held and its beautiful memories would be cherished as long as we are. THANK YOU GHAZANFAR and everyone who made it to Abbottabad.

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Annual Get Together 2008 - Abbottabad (Day-1)

Abbottabad once again hared the footsteps of its very old residents, who in 1975 thumped the roads of Kakul and surrounding areas with lots of hufs and mufs. This time , however, it was a pleasant re-union with grown up kids and their kids, fathers and grand fathers and mothers and grand mothers. The get together was arranged by Brigadier Ghazanfar, the Commandant Piffers' Centre, with a whole hearted support from all ranks of the Centre. 

In fact the grandeur of the event really surprised everyone and the get together became perhaps the best of all the annuals before and may be thereafter.

It may be mentioned here that it was Ghazanfar, while serving in GHQ in 1991, who arranged the first course get-together as a mega event and since then it has become an annual feature. And the programme issued by him amply highlights his contribution towards the course and turning into a memorable occasion. And most certainly, this time he lived much above the expectations since the get together spread over two was so well organized that it will be remembered and cherished by all of us for all our lives.

Well for those who missed this grand show - which reminds me of the film "The Greatest Show on the Earth", I saw in my childhood, here is an eyewitness' account of those two unforgettable days that myself, my family and dozens of our course mates and their families enjoyed while in Abbottabad on 12-13 April 2008, just four days short of 31st passing out day anniversary of 55th PMA Long Course - indeed one of the best courses that ever passed out from PMA. Since there were so many activities arranged on each day, it would be unjustified on my part to sum up everything in just one page. And certainly it will not be able to compliment the efforts of Ghazanfar and his entire staff and those great recruits who made us the happiest of all human beings while celebrating our reunion. Therefore I have subdivided the activities in two segments - so sit back and read on to participate in what we all saw on 12-13th April 2008.

After getting together at the Piffers' Mess and served with a well laid out dinner, the course was taken to the Piffers' Centre sports ground where to the surprise of many a grand tattoo show was organized. The show reminded me of the tattoo show I had seen in my childhood at a Horse and a Cattle SHow Lahore Fortress Stadium back in 1964. And for many, even including some course mates, their families and children, this was something they were watching for the first time - and itr was really worth watching:    

 

 

 

   

After this grand tattoo show ended with a huge applause from us, we were taken back to yet another venue - The Piffers' Centre auditorium for a magnificent band display and music evening.

We were welcomed by the Piffers Centre and apprised of the programme that was to unfold 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The brass band drum beats compelled some of us to jump into the dancing arena and dance on the beating tunes for the love of all.

 

 

 After the band display, a beautiful and melodious voice from Abbottabad joined us on the stage and sang for hours amid clapping and applause from all of us.

 

The night ended with a dance joined by almost everyone on the last song 'bibi shirinay' - there was to be a long day ahead the next day specially for the golfers as they were to get earlier than the rest to play a 9-hole match. They were to be joined by the laziers later for the brunch.

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