I am a proud Indian citizen I am proud Army man, tough recilent ever ready to any sacrifice for the dignity and safety of my Nation. I am proud to be a native of Srikakulam(AP). I am proud to be a student of Govt Arts College then functional in thached sheds. I am from a place surrounded by temples mosques and churches. Our classmate Ippili Ramakrishna a priest hereditary post, Arasavilli Surya bhagwaan's temple. I was a part of ball badminton team. After morning sessions we were going to the temple and enjoy bananas, coconut water and sweet pongal. First in morning at dawn one hears mozzen's call for morning namaaz followed shortly by sweet temple bells and recital of Bhagwat Geeta. X mas our trip to local church for mass and cookies. There is another temple in Srikurmaam, abode of Baghwaan Vishnumurty's awatar as a tortoise. The species have special features of star shaped shells. This is the place I was given land when I was a WO in APS. Now surrendered since none to cultivate. There is another temple town Sri Mukhaligam a town near to our friend Krishna Rao's village. Yearly fair is held. We never missed it. Feasts. Then Simhachalm a temple town where Vishnu Baghwaan is in Ugra narasimha Swamy's awatar. We went on an excursion and stayed overnight in the temple premises. The Prasaadam served there is kichdi prepared in Ghee and laced with dry fruits. Another temple town Annawaram dedicated to Satyanarayana Swamy avatar of Vishnu. Then Vizag, confluence of all religions. Church, famous Dargah, Gurudwara and many temples. Being member of sports and badminton my trips were frequent. We reigned supreme in ball badminton and Tennikoit. This continues even now. I had a chance to revisit all these places met friends who are alive, some are not in the world. I am very privileged to have in all the APS units. While in Bareilly we. requested Birlas for marble idols of Radha Krishna and they kindly supplied. Our GOC General Bose along with madam visited on most of the festivals, took part in arati and dined with us without any reservation. Part of the installation of Radha Krishna idol goes to the then Subedar Kanti Lal Sharma my BRT coursemate. The Idol was got installed in the Unit by my wife late Sabeeha. It is all God's grace to bless me as such. ln festive occasions I took part in arati and had prasad prepared by our unit personnel. Lt Col MA Haq (Retired) Srikakulam (Andhra Pradesh)