Yudh Abhas 2021 sidelines: From Bollywood dance numbers to roasting marshmallows

The 'Yudh Abhas 2021' exercise between army personnel from India and the United States is currently underway at the Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska.

Indian Army's Major Juhee Baruah, who took part in the joint Command Post exercise, said, "Our endeavours in this joint Command Post exercise is to exchange our expertise and experience from previous peacekeeping operations and use it in our future scenarios."

She recalls how during a 'social' session, how a few officers came up to her and said that they wanted to listen to some Hindi songs and dance to some Bollywood numbers, and the Indian compatriots did so. "On the other hand they taught us how to roast marshmallows over the fire and they taught us the traditional s'more (a snack comprising a chocolate bar and toasted marshmallows sandwiched between two biscuits) technique," she said.

Major Juhee Baruah says that in 2022 when the US forces come to India for training, the latter could extend the same warmth and welcome that they had received from their US counterparts. Another command post participant, Major Sujay Tambe recollected how a few American soldiers approached him wanting to learn a few Hindi words.

And the Americans are impressed with the ability of their Indian counterparts. Seargent Major Shawn Winstead of the 40th Infantry Division, California National Guard, said, "What has impressed me the most about our Indian counterparts is their ability to adapt to change. They are used to carrying out operations using their tactics, but they are adapting to our procedures and we are learning how they conduct their business at the command post level."

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