Perplexing 'You are entering Pak' hoarding at army camp removed

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: People driving through Pangode military station might be forgiven for having imagined for a moment that the army camp had been annexed by Pakistan. A newly erected backlit hoarding reads: "You are entering Pakistan, no passports needed, bash on regardless."
If curiosity persists, and the wayward mind makes the connection between the sentences "Bash on Regardless" written on the hoarding and everywhere else in the vicinity, in fresh paint, then it dawns: "Ah! It's a motto." But for most people, driving past the backlit hoarding on the public access road, and peering through rain-lashed windscreen, all they manage to catch a glimpse of is "You are entering Pakistan", which is very disconcerting, said a retired Army officer.
The one-week-old hoarding was removed by Army officials on Monday as the station management drew flak from several quarters for the perplexing hoarding which was tacky and tasteless.
Over the past year, small changes (and some for the worse) have appeared at the Pangode military station - paintings of tanks in battle on the wall, a fence around the ex-servicemen institute and the ongoing pavilion work at the Pangode military ground, were all welcome. But the recent stash of garish hoardings and the massive backlit arch at either ends of the military station that says "Welcome to Pangode", with pictures of Kathakali, Mohiniyattam dancers, has taken everyone by surprise, especially the ex-servicemen.
"The Army has been trying really hard to enclose Pangode military station and divert the public access road, but we know that it is next to impossible. So there has been an attempt to let the public know that they are entering a military zone. The distinct style of garrisons, Flag House, tree cover, manicured lawns, Army colours, etc. was a proper and dignified attempt to establish that one is entering a military zone. Now, there are these tacky and tasteless arches looming over the station which make it look like a tourist outpost," said the retired official.
Another officer said, "There is too much going on. The Pangode military base now has a museum quality to it, where everything is for viewing pleasure only," he said.
"Bash on regardless" is the Basantar Brigade's motto. The brigade has a presence at Pangode and the hoarding at its war memorial is the giant blow-up of a photograph (of a signboard) witnessed by Lieutenant Gen WAG Pinto, the GoC of the 54 Infantry Division, of which Basantar Brigade was a part of during the 1971 war. In the foreword of his book, Lt Gen Pinto says, Indian soldiers entering "captured Pakistani territory" came across "eye-catching signboards". One said: "You are entering Pakistan. No passports required. Bash on Regardless." Another read: "Pak Mines Only. Bash On Regardless."
Upon seeking the opinion of Brig Samir Salunke, Station Commander, Army Station, Pangode, on the matter pertaining to the signboard with the Pakistani reference, the defence PRO informed TOI: "The quote was taken from the book written by General Pinto. Since the banner (backlit hoarding) leads to misinterpretation by the general public, it is being removed."