‘I will wrap up today’s session with some safety tips. One, always treat a firearm as if it is loaded, even when you know it is not.

‘Two, always keep the firearm pointed in a direction where any accidental firing would cause minimum harm. So, keep it pointed downward.

‘Three, keep your trigger finger off the trigger and even the trigger guard, unless you have decided to shoot.

‘Four, always be sure of what lies beyond your target to reduce the chances of a mishap.

‘For beginners like you, it is important to keep some additional tips in mind to prevent accidental injuries. One, a two-handed grip is advisable. If you are left-handed, your left hand should be the gun hand. You hold the gun with it and shoot. Hold the butt of the gun firmly as this will allow you to control the recoil better. The other hand is the support hand, with which you also grip the gun with four fingers beneath the trigger guard or section. And two, stand with your feet apart. Understood?’ Uday looked around at the boys.

As they nodded, he said, ‘Okay, that’s all for today. We will assemble here every day at 4 p.m. for firing practice.’

‘Yes, sir,’ they responded in unison.

26. KRAV MAGA, KALI AND TRACKING SKILLS

26

KRAV MAGA, KALI AND TRACKING SKILLS

Chamberlain Road, lined with eucalyptus trees, runs straight as an arrow and, with a width of 120 feet, is broader than a typical two-lane street. After six kilometres, it splits into two roads – Kennedy Hill Street, which branches to the left, and Manchester Street, which turns to the right.

Manchester Street takes you to the town’s well-known Chinese Quarter, the preferred fast-food destination of tourists in Lansdowne, the British-built hill station in Uttarakhand, nestled in the lower Himalayas. Beyond the Chinese Quarter lies the Lansdowne Royal Club, which draws sharply dressed patrons with old money from the town.

Lansdowne was developed as a military garrison under the British government in India, and the Indian Army’s Garhwal Rifles Regiment still trains there. The air is fresh, the climate is cool, and its location makes it an ideal place for quick summer getaways as well as training for athletes.

In May, when most of India faces oppressive heat, Lansdowne stays cool, wet and pleasant. Residents can be seen enjoying the weather, taking walks along its wide, leafy roads and lakeside promenades, eating at the roadside eateries offering cappuccinos and lattes, steaming plates of Maggi noodles, fried river fish and savory snacks like pakodas. Tourists do all that in addition to trekking, climbing and whiter-water rafting.