Well I am an ex AFMC - ite, and a die-hard fan of all things AFMC. My batch, S, celebrated its silver jubilee Dec 2005, and the few days we spent there kindled vivid memories of those wonderful years spent in Pune many moons ago.
AFMC was not a defence academy then, as it is now, though we were all required a sign a bond pledging military service, either temporary or permanent. We spent all those undergrad years in beige/maroon uniforms, and strangely, I do not ever remember considering that un-cool! One cycled to classes and clinics and back, though gradually two wheelers like lunas and bikes took over in higher terms ( I believe AFMC is entirely back to cycles now).
Life was simply loads of fun, despite agonisingly mundane and difficult subjects like anatomy and biochemistry. Basketball week, Election week, College week.. just any occasion to party and boogie the night away! For the motivated there were plenty of extra curriculars.There was, of course, an emphasis on studies and exams but it was far from being overbearing. Academic standards at AFMC have always been very high.
Vacations meant 3 weeks spent at home twice a year. Wednesdays and Saturdays were half days, many of which were spent learning spoken Marathi to be able to deal with the local population attending our OPDs.
The AFMC spirit lives on through its alumni associations, many of which organise great reunions every August 4th, AFMC day. I already look forward to this year’s do.. that day in the year when one can let one’s hair down and JIVE!!
Every which way I look at it, the years I spent at AFMC were certainly the best of my life this far :0)
The fact that it is situated in Pune also adds to the charm.. that’s one great city, despite its completely unplanned development and commercialisation today.