It is a cruel joke. Soldiers, who would lay down their lives to defend us all, are almost always taken for granted. Their sacrifices get converted into statistics and are diluted. In our misguided haste to paint them as superhuman, we often forget that they are fellow human beings, albeit exceptional ones. Lieutenant General (retired) Satish Dua’s book—India’s Bravehearts—is a necessary reminder.
It is a moving tribute to soldiers from a soldier who rose to command. Lt Gen Dua’s writing is fresh because of its honesty and simplicity. He transitions easily from the action-packed narration of an operation to his grief at the death of the first soldier he lost as a commanding officer. He boldly opens up about his guilt and fears, and his realisation that so many heroic deeds in the world were also tragedies.
Lt Gen Dua describes the surgical strikes, which he oversaw as corps commander, his methods as a commanding officer, the close shaves and his learnings. His accounts about reactions to situations which emerged during operations are most fascinating. He also mentions that the greatest satisfaction for him was the remarriage of the widows of two of his bravehearts who had died in operations.
There is much to learn from India’s Bravehearts, and much to be grateful about.
India’s Bravehearts: Untold Stories From The Indian Army
By Lt Gen Satish Dua (retired)
Published by Juggernaut Books
Price Rs299; pages 224
