In 1987, a young Neil John was the same age as me, Nicole John, his daughter. It’s September 2021 and It’s a lazy, pandemic-forced, home-bound Sunday for us as a family in Coonoor. It’s a perfect day to catch a story, over some garam chai. Some daddy-daughter time to celebrate a memory. They say it’s the little memories that last a lifetime and I know that my dad loves looking back at the days of his youthful, restless vigour. Today’s memory takes Brigadier Neil John back to an activity-packed, full-of-surprises day, about 35 years ago that got him started on his proud career of service in the Indian Army.