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The Brave: Param Vir Chakra Stories
Twenty-one riveting stories about how India s highest military honour was won.
Rachna Bisht Rawat takes us to the heart of war, chronicling the tales of twenty-one of India s bravest soldiers. Talking to parents, siblings, children and comrades-in-arms to paint the most vivid character-portraits of these men and their conduct in battle, and getting unprecedented access to the Indian Army, Rawat has written the ultimate book on the Param Vir Chakra.
Rachna Bisht Rawat takes us to the heart of war, chronicling the tales of twenty-one of India s bravest soldiers. Talking to parents, siblings, children and comrades-in-arms to paint the most vivid character-portraits of these men and their conduct in battle, and getting unprecedented access to the Indian Army, Rawat has written the ultimate book on the Param Vir Chakra.
283 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2014
180 people are currently reading
1536 people want to read
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February 1, 2021
' The Brave : Param Vir Chakra Stories' is one of the books that tells about the heroic exploits of the Indian soldiers on several battlefields in the era of post independent India. Since the ancient times the Indians never lacked in courage and bravery as several martial races like the shikhs, the Rajpoots or the Marathas took birth on Indian soil. Even the mighty Mughals or the British felt the real pressure to conquer India overcoming the stiff resistance and challenge from the native Indians. In both world wars millions of Indian soldiers participated and died on the battlefields of three continents Europe, Asia and Africa and contributed immensely to the allied victory. Rachana Bisht Rawat's book is a unique book which mainly focuses on the unsung tales of 21 great sons of India who were conferred Param Vir Chakra, India's highest military award, equivalent to Victoria Cross or the Medal of honour.
The book begins with a brief introduction of the first Indo-Pak war of 1947-48 in Kashmir valley and the martyrdom of Major Somnath Sharma who was the first PVC award holder. It really moved me a lot to read about the outstanding courage of major Sharma and his comrades and their eventual victory against the Pak intruders despite being heavily outnumbered by them. Five soldiers were awarded the Param Vir Chakra in the first Indo-Pak war. The next phase focuses on the Indo-China war of 1962 which India badly lost due to unpreparedness and faulty military planning as well as indifference from the Indian Government. But despite being cornered by the massive Chinese army the Indian soldiers did their duty with utmost sincerity and instilled fear into the Chinese army units. Dhan Sing Thapa, Joginder Sing and Shaitan Sing were awarded PVC posthumously for their daring fight against the Chinese. The second Indo-Pak war of 1965 and the third Indo-Pak war of 1971 produced total six PVC awardees namely Abdul Hamid, Ardeshir Tarapore, Albert Ekka, Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon, Arun Khetarpal and Hoshiar Singh.
The second Indo-Pak war witnessed some most vicious tank battles of the world between the Indian army and the Pak army. The Pak army were specially equipped with the world famous Patton tanks originally produced in USA. The number of tanks used by the opposing armies even surpassed the famous tank battle of Kursk of 1943. There were many casualties from both sides but one name had arrested everyone's attention. Arun Khetarpal at the age of only 21 participated in the tank battle even before the tenure of his training was fully complete. In the battlefield despite being heavily injured and surrounded by enemy tanks he had single handedly destroyed 4 enemy tanks and attained martyrdom. Till the beginning of Kargil war in 1999 Arun Khetarpal remained the youngest PVC winner. Albert Ekka, another PVC awardee hero came from a tribal background and carved out an immortal place in 1971 Indo-Pak war. Despite being riddled with bullets he alone had captured an enemy post while the Pak soldiers were firing machine guns from it and had stalled the progress of the Indian troops.
The last chapter of this book brings back the memories of my boyhood when i was a student of tenth standard and the Kargil war began in 1999. The armies of India and Pakistan met for the fourth time on the battlefield. This time the Indian army had to face an almost herculean task. Due to Indian intelligence failure the Pak soldiers in disguise of local tribesmen had infiltrated into Line of control and had occupied the heights of Dras, Batalik, Kargil along with many points. For months they had built bunkers and amassed lots of arms and ammunition in those heights. When the Indian government became aware of the danger it was too late. But the Indian army accepted the challenge and performed the mighty task of driving the Pak soldiers from the well camouflaged heights and reconquering the lost territories. Around 650 Indian soldiers lost their lives and hundreds more bacame injured or disabled for life. I can still recall the nerve racking pictures of Indian soldiers climbing the steep cliffs by rope and staring at the face of death itself. Total four soldiers were awarded the Param Vir Chakra in Kargil war namely Manoj Kumar Pandey, Yogendra Sing Jadav, Sanjay Kumar and Vikram Batra, two among them posthumously.
As far as i know the Indian army at present is the fourth largest army in the world. It has the ability to fight valiantly in any front of the world. One must read this book not only to learn about the heroic exploits of the post independent Indian army but also to understand the family ties which each Indian soldier has. Many Indian parents have lost their sons on the battlefield, many sisters their brothers, many wives their husbands. But the martyrs will forever live among us, the tales of their sacrifices will forever remain etched in the pages India's military history.
The book begins with a brief introduction of the first Indo-Pak war of 1947-48 in Kashmir valley and the martyrdom of Major Somnath Sharma who was the first PVC award holder. It really moved me a lot to read about the outstanding courage of major Sharma and his comrades and their eventual victory against the Pak intruders despite being heavily outnumbered by them. Five soldiers were awarded the Param Vir Chakra in the first Indo-Pak war. The next phase focuses on the Indo-China war of 1962 which India badly lost due to unpreparedness and faulty military planning as well as indifference from the Indian Government. But despite being cornered by the massive Chinese army the Indian soldiers did their duty with utmost sincerity and instilled fear into the Chinese army units. Dhan Sing Thapa, Joginder Sing and Shaitan Sing were awarded PVC posthumously for their daring fight against the Chinese. The second Indo-Pak war of 1965 and the third Indo-Pak war of 1971 produced total six PVC awardees namely Abdul Hamid, Ardeshir Tarapore, Albert Ekka, Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon, Arun Khetarpal and Hoshiar Singh.
The second Indo-Pak war witnessed some most vicious tank battles of the world between the Indian army and the Pak army. The Pak army were specially equipped with the world famous Patton tanks originally produced in USA. The number of tanks used by the opposing armies even surpassed the famous tank battle of Kursk of 1943. There were many casualties from both sides but one name had arrested everyone's attention. Arun Khetarpal at the age of only 21 participated in the tank battle even before the tenure of his training was fully complete. In the battlefield despite being heavily injured and surrounded by enemy tanks he had single handedly destroyed 4 enemy tanks and attained martyrdom. Till the beginning of Kargil war in 1999 Arun Khetarpal remained the youngest PVC winner. Albert Ekka, another PVC awardee hero came from a tribal background and carved out an immortal place in 1971 Indo-Pak war. Despite being riddled with bullets he alone had captured an enemy post while the Pak soldiers were firing machine guns from it and had stalled the progress of the Indian troops.
The last chapter of this book brings back the memories of my boyhood when i was a student of tenth standard and the Kargil war began in 1999. The armies of India and Pakistan met for the fourth time on the battlefield. This time the Indian army had to face an almost herculean task. Due to Indian intelligence failure the Pak soldiers in disguise of local tribesmen had infiltrated into Line of control and had occupied the heights of Dras, Batalik, Kargil along with many points. For months they had built bunkers and amassed lots of arms and ammunition in those heights. When the Indian government became aware of the danger it was too late. But the Indian army accepted the challenge and performed the mighty task of driving the Pak soldiers from the well camouflaged heights and reconquering the lost territories. Around 650 Indian soldiers lost their lives and hundreds more bacame injured or disabled for life. I can still recall the nerve racking pictures of Indian soldiers climbing the steep cliffs by rope and staring at the face of death itself. Total four soldiers were awarded the Param Vir Chakra in Kargil war namely Manoj Kumar Pandey, Yogendra Sing Jadav, Sanjay Kumar and Vikram Batra, two among them posthumously.
As far as i know the Indian army at present is the fourth largest army in the world. It has the ability to fight valiantly in any front of the world. One must read this book not only to learn about the heroic exploits of the post independent Indian army but also to understand the family ties which each Indian soldier has. Many Indian parents have lost their sons on the battlefield, many sisters their brothers, many wives their husbands. But the martyrs will forever live among us, the tales of their sacrifices will forever remain etched in the pages India's military history.
July 5, 2020
The Param Vir Chakra : India's Greatest Military honour
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Soldiers don't die when bullets pierce their hearts and heads through their olive green shirts and woolen balaclavas. They don't die when they fall before an enemy onslaught, or even when they get buried in trenches, staining the earth with their war crimson blood. It is only when we forget their acts of bravery that soldiers die.
- Unknown
The Brave, Param Vir Chakra stories, is the bone-chilling tales of those 21 bravest of the brave soldiers of India who showed the extreme courage, leadership and valour against the enemy and died on the battlefield for the sake of their motherland.
For the detailed review you can also visit - https://dontbignorant.in/book-review-...
------------------------------------
Soldiers don't die when bullets pierce their hearts and heads through their olive green shirts and woolen balaclavas. They don't die when they fall before an enemy onslaught, or even when they get buried in trenches, staining the earth with their war crimson blood. It is only when we forget their acts of bravery that soldiers die.
- Unknown
The Brave, Param Vir Chakra stories, is the bone-chilling tales of those 21 bravest of the brave soldiers of India who showed the extreme courage, leadership and valour against the enemy and died on the battlefield for the sake of their motherland.
For the detailed review you can also visit - https://dontbignorant.in/book-review-...
February 2, 2016
Please steal some moments from your life and must read “The Brave by Rachna Bisht”. This book is all about those superheroes who sacrificed their lives just to make our life secure. It needs guts to read these heart shocking stories of soldiers without pauses... pauses filled with goosebumps.. I felt pride..Into my heart when I turning pages.. One by one …I just Fell in love with their determination..So inspiring...!
Even in his death, Vikram Batra had kept the promise he had made to a friend casually over a cup of tea at Neugal Café in Palampur, on his last visit home. When his friend had cautioned him to be careful in the war, Batra had replied: ‘Either, I will hoist the Tricolour in victory or I’ll come back wrapped in it.’
Highly Recommended!
Even in his death, Vikram Batra had kept the promise he had made to a friend casually over a cup of tea at Neugal Café in Palampur, on his last visit home. When his friend had cautioned him to be careful in the war, Batra had replied: ‘Either, I will hoist the Tricolour in victory or I’ll come back wrapped in it.’
Highly Recommended!
November 27, 2014
The current book in question fills, in my humble opinion, a major gap in our literature : a mainstream book on the recipients of the Paramvir Chakra, their deeds, their bravery and their life story. This is a stunning but completely true fact - at least insofar-as my experience in concerned - that we do not know much beyond the names of a few of these awesome brave men who did the impossible; or rather, who made the impossible possible. This book is about them, about their lives and their deeds.
Who was Flying Officer Nirmaljit Singh Sekhon? What exactly did he do? Who was Captain Vikram Batra? Just what did he do that was so awesome? Who was Lieutenant Manoj Pandey? What were his precise actions, his exact deeds that led to his PVC? How did he do it? Who was Major Somnath Sharma? Lieutenant Colonel Tarapore? 2nd-Lieutenant Arun Khetrapal? Naik Jadunath Singh? Subedar Joginder Singh? Havaldar Abdul Hamid? Lance Naik Albert Ekka?
Read about how one man led 90 against a 900-strong enemy; and won. Read about how one man defeated 35 enemy soldiers. Read about how a brave soldier, stomach ripped open, kept fighting. Read about how a single unit, without artillery support, armed with Rifles, held off an enemy armed with Machine Guns, Artillery and Mortar. Read about how a young man refused to be evacuated from a burning tank, faced certain death, but did not flinch from his duty.
Read all this and more, and realise that what these people - not just the PVC winners but also the entire Indian Armed Forces did, and have done in every war, every exchange of fire - was something special, something extraordinary, something superhuman; something that has no logical explanation. There can be no other explanation for some of the absolutely unbelievable stories that leap out of the book; it is simply beyond human comprehension... these weren't / aren't normal; they are special... Men India needed alive;; but Men who, by choice, laid their lives, for our India...
Who was Flying Officer Nirmaljit Singh Sekhon? What exactly did he do? Who was Captain Vikram Batra? Just what did he do that was so awesome? Who was Lieutenant Manoj Pandey? What were his precise actions, his exact deeds that led to his PVC? How did he do it? Who was Major Somnath Sharma? Lieutenant Colonel Tarapore? 2nd-Lieutenant Arun Khetrapal? Naik Jadunath Singh? Subedar Joginder Singh? Havaldar Abdul Hamid? Lance Naik Albert Ekka?
Read about how one man led 90 against a 900-strong enemy; and won. Read about how one man defeated 35 enemy soldiers. Read about how a brave soldier, stomach ripped open, kept fighting. Read about how a single unit, without artillery support, armed with Rifles, held off an enemy armed with Machine Guns, Artillery and Mortar. Read about how a young man refused to be evacuated from a burning tank, faced certain death, but did not flinch from his duty.
Read all this and more, and realise that what these people - not just the PVC winners but also the entire Indian Armed Forces did, and have done in every war, every exchange of fire - was something special, something extraordinary, something superhuman; something that has no logical explanation. There can be no other explanation for some of the absolutely unbelievable stories that leap out of the book; it is simply beyond human comprehension... these weren't / aren't normal; they are special... Men India needed alive;; but Men who, by choice, laid their lives, for our India...
January 27, 2021
Raghunath Sahib’s experience told him that the chances of the boy being alive were slim and they shouldn’t be risking their own lives trying to get him from under enemy fire.
But Batra was unwilling to leave his man. ‘Darte hain, Sahib?’ (Are you afraid, sir?) he taunted the JCO.
‘Darta nahin hun, Sahib,’ (I am not afraid, Sir) Raghunath replied and got up.
Just as he was about to step into the open, Batra caught him by the collar: ‘You have a family and children to go back to, I’m not even married. Main sar ki taraf rahunga aur aap paanv uthayenge,’ (I will take the head and you take his feet) he said pushing the JCO back and taking his place instead. The moment Batra bent to pick up the injured soldier’s head, a sniper shot him in the chest.
The man who had survived so many bullets, killed men in hand-to-hand combat and cleared bunkers of Pakistani intruders, fearlessly putting his own life at stake so many times, was destined to die from this freak shot.
When he was in Sopore some time earlier, Batra had had a miraculous escape when a militant’s bullet had grazed his shoulder and hit the man behind him killing him on the spot. He was surprised then. As he lay dying, destiny surprised him yet again. He had plans to follow, he had tasks to achieve, an enemy to vanquish. He was surprised that the bullet had found its mark despite all those unfulfilled duties. Batra gasped in disbelief and collapsed next to the young soldier he had wanted to give a dignified death to. The blood drained out of his body even as his stunned men watched in horror.
Spurred by Batra’s extreme courage and sacrifice, a squad of10 of his men (each carrying one AK-47 rifle, six magazines and two No. 36 hand grenades) attacked through the ledge, found the Pakistanis making halwa and killed each of the enemy soldiers on top, with zero casualties of their own in that assault
The fierceness of their attack frightened the Pakistani soldiers so much that many of them ran to the edge and jumped off the cliff, meeting a painful end in the craggy valley.
Even in his death, Vikram Batra had kept the promise he had made to a friend casually over a cup of tea at Neugal Café in Palampur, on his last visit home. When his friend had cautioned him to be careful in the war, Batra had replied: ‘Either, I will hoist the Tricolour in victory or I’ll come back wrapped in it.’
Read this book. It will bring goosebumps.
But Batra was unwilling to leave his man. ‘Darte hain, Sahib?’ (Are you afraid, sir?) he taunted the JCO.
‘Darta nahin hun, Sahib,’ (I am not afraid, Sir) Raghunath replied and got up.
Just as he was about to step into the open, Batra caught him by the collar: ‘You have a family and children to go back to, I’m not even married. Main sar ki taraf rahunga aur aap paanv uthayenge,’ (I will take the head and you take his feet) he said pushing the JCO back and taking his place instead. The moment Batra bent to pick up the injured soldier’s head, a sniper shot him in the chest.
The man who had survived so many bullets, killed men in hand-to-hand combat and cleared bunkers of Pakistani intruders, fearlessly putting his own life at stake so many times, was destined to die from this freak shot.
When he was in Sopore some time earlier, Batra had had a miraculous escape when a militant’s bullet had grazed his shoulder and hit the man behind him killing him on the spot. He was surprised then. As he lay dying, destiny surprised him yet again. He had plans to follow, he had tasks to achieve, an enemy to vanquish. He was surprised that the bullet had found its mark despite all those unfulfilled duties. Batra gasped in disbelief and collapsed next to the young soldier he had wanted to give a dignified death to. The blood drained out of his body even as his stunned men watched in horror.
Spurred by Batra’s extreme courage and sacrifice, a squad of10 of his men (each carrying one AK-47 rifle, six magazines and two No. 36 hand grenades) attacked through the ledge, found the Pakistanis making halwa and killed each of the enemy soldiers on top, with zero casualties of their own in that assault
The fierceness of their attack frightened the Pakistani soldiers so much that many of them ran to the edge and jumped off the cliff, meeting a painful end in the craggy valley.
Even in his death, Vikram Batra had kept the promise he had made to a friend casually over a cup of tea at Neugal Café in Palampur, on his last visit home. When his friend had cautioned him to be careful in the war, Batra had replied: ‘Either, I will hoist the Tricolour in victory or I’ll come back wrapped in it.’
Read this book. It will bring goosebumps.
May 22, 2019
A must read for every indian soldier and civilian alike....
November 17, 2018
I got this gift from one of my friend and must thank him for this wonderful book. The book paints a vivid portrait of 21 courageous soldiers and awardees of the Param Vir Chakra (PVC), the nation’s highest award for gallantry - a medal that even the Chief of Army Staff gets up to salute, even if it hangs on the shirtfront of a foot soldier.
Apart from narrating valiant tales from the battlefield, the book also traces the lives of these extraordinary men which really makes it very touching.
Divided into sections like the Indo-Pak war (1947-48), Congo (1961), the Sino-Indian war (1962), the second and third Indo-Pak wars (1965, 1971), Siachen (1987), Operation Pawan (1987-90) and the Kargil war (1999), the book is an inspiring read, replete with anecdotes.The book reinforces the ordinariness of these men’s lives even in extraordinary times and keeps the reader engrossed, beyond the fight till the last bullet, the last man and long after the last page. I just borrowed this phrase from an event of 1962, Major Shaitan Singh and his men, grossly outnumbered, were brutally massacred by the Chinese, and died following the orders, “You will fight till the last man and the last bullet”. ..
Apart from narrating valiant tales from the battlefield, the book also traces the lives of these extraordinary men which really makes it very touching.
Divided into sections like the Indo-Pak war (1947-48), Congo (1961), the Sino-Indian war (1962), the second and third Indo-Pak wars (1965, 1971), Siachen (1987), Operation Pawan (1987-90) and the Kargil war (1999), the book is an inspiring read, replete with anecdotes.The book reinforces the ordinariness of these men’s lives even in extraordinary times and keeps the reader engrossed, beyond the fight till the last bullet, the last man and long after the last page. I just borrowed this phrase from an event of 1962, Major Shaitan Singh and his men, grossly outnumbered, were brutally massacred by the Chinese, and died following the orders, “You will fight till the last man and the last bullet”. ..
January 31, 2021
The book brings goosebumps on your body and makes you think that all these heroes were just like us nothing more nothing less,but the difference is that they had a aim and guts to fulfill it...........
October 28, 2023
I decided on 5 stars by just setting an eye on the title of the book. These PVC holders were just as ordinary as anybody. It was the RAW COURAGE which made them achieve the impossible.
July 3, 2022
This is a collection of stories of the awardees of the highest Gallantry award of the Nation on the basis of the interviews with the colleagues, families, friends and the Living Soldiers who were fortunate to wear the medal in their uniform.
Rachna's tale would take you the times when our countries were engaged in the bloody wars with our noisy neighbours. It's the story of brave men who considered that they were just doing their service for their country and were no more special than their teammates, yet showing how courage and perseverance can let you overcome all odds against you.
Rachna's tale would take you the times when our countries were engaged in the bloody wars with our noisy neighbours. It's the story of brave men who considered that they were just doing their service for their country and were no more special than their teammates, yet showing how courage and perseverance can let you overcome all odds against you.
December 7, 2019
Truly remarkable scarification of life stories of brave Indian Solders. I salute them for their bravery. Must read for all.
November 24, 2020
Amazing book!!!!
The writer has done thorough research and has tried to put hell lot efforts to make it realistic and relatable. The stories are narrated in such a way that they appear so relatable and invoke a series of mixed emotions within.
The writer is herself an army wife and an army daughter too so i believe she is the right person to write such a book and has done justice to the book.
Amazing read!
The writer has done thorough research and has tried to put hell lot efforts to make it realistic and relatable. The stories are narrated in such a way that they appear so relatable and invoke a series of mixed emotions within.
The writer is herself an army wife and an army daughter too so i believe she is the right person to write such a book and has done justice to the book.
Amazing read!
February 9, 2022
Thanks for this book. I feel blessed to have read the memoir straight from the war. author has really worked a lot to collate all the information from the first PVC to the recent.
The first one of Maj. Somnath Sharma to that of Capt. Vikram Batra. It was hard to get the stories from the war which was fought 70+ years ago and not many of those who know these heroes are alive. Which reminds me of the quote from this book
"Soldiers don't die when bullets pierce their hearts and heads through their olive green shirts and woolen balaclavas. They don't die when they fall before an enemy onslaught, or even when they get buried in trenches, staining the earth with their warm crimson blood. It is only when we forget their acts of bravery that soldiers die. "
The first one of Maj. Somnath Sharma to that of Capt. Vikram Batra. It was hard to get the stories from the war which was fought 70+ years ago and not many of those who know these heroes are alive. Which reminds me of the quote from this book
"Soldiers don't die when bullets pierce their hearts and heads through their olive green shirts and woolen balaclavas. They don't die when they fall before an enemy onslaught, or even when they get buried in trenches, staining the earth with their warm crimson blood. It is only when we forget their acts of bravery that soldiers die. "
January 29, 2020
I read the book The Brave Paramvir Chakra Stories by Rachna Bisht Rawat. The book covers a brief story and history about the war which India had with its neighbours and the 21 Param Vir Chakra awardees . After reading I was just in awe with the courage and leadership displayed by these soldiers in different war and battles. Every soldier had a different personality but the common trait about them was the love for the country. The more I read about each of them the more I felt proud of our defence forces who safeguard our Indian borders with all hardships.
Hats off to them .
I urge everyone to read this book.
Hats off to them .
I urge everyone to read this book.
April 9, 2022
The Brave, is an Anthology of stories about brave sons of mother India who are Param Vir Chakra awardees. PVC is the highest military honour in India, for those who put their lives at stake and showed exceptional bravery in the battlefield.
The book tells stories of 21 brave PVC awardee soldiers in the battlefield. How their raw courage in war is an inspiration for current generation. Author of the book Rachana Bisht Rawat, belonging to a family of army knows very well her way around army officers and holds a good knowledge of how Indian army works. She uses her experience to write about these stories by collecting information from various references and interviewing the soldiers who fought along side PVC awardees. Effort put in by Rachna in research of background of the book is commendable.
The book totally makes us imagine how cruel the war can be. How difficult the situations are for army in wars. How they manage food, how they handle climate, how they not sleep for long nights because one blink of sleep and you can be easy target for Enemies. Author also tries to show us the childhood and some other stories from the soldier's lives which are interesting to read. But their unfathomable patriotic spirit in battlefield and how they achieved the highest honour in war is worth reading. This book is highly recommended for everyone, especially who aspires to be in Defence professions in future.
However there are some things in books i would like to change. Where some of the stories are so interesting and engaging that I couldn't put the book down, at the same time some other stories seem they lack proper research and presentation. But things like documentation during those days were not done very efficiently, and author conducted interviews to collect everything she could, which is commendable.
Overally the book is good one. And all should read it because the Martyrs deserve the recognition which they never wanted.
The book tells stories of 21 brave PVC awardee soldiers in the battlefield. How their raw courage in war is an inspiration for current generation. Author of the book Rachana Bisht Rawat, belonging to a family of army knows very well her way around army officers and holds a good knowledge of how Indian army works. She uses her experience to write about these stories by collecting information from various references and interviewing the soldiers who fought along side PVC awardees. Effort put in by Rachna in research of background of the book is commendable.
The book totally makes us imagine how cruel the war can be. How difficult the situations are for army in wars. How they manage food, how they handle climate, how they not sleep for long nights because one blink of sleep and you can be easy target for Enemies. Author also tries to show us the childhood and some other stories from the soldier's lives which are interesting to read. But their unfathomable patriotic spirit in battlefield and how they achieved the highest honour in war is worth reading. This book is highly recommended for everyone, especially who aspires to be in Defence professions in future.
However there are some things in books i would like to change. Where some of the stories are so interesting and engaging that I couldn't put the book down, at the same time some other stories seem they lack proper research and presentation. But things like documentation during those days were not done very efficiently, and author conducted interviews to collect everything she could, which is commendable.
Overally the book is good one. And all should read it because the Martyrs deserve the recognition which they never wanted.
March 29, 2015
I loved the stories of valor, grit, patriotism and determination. What's not to love about such strong qualities? The stories are real. The lives lost are real. The difficulties and obstacles endured by our soldiers are genuine. The knowledge that there are such brave souls out there who die in such terrible circumstances will make your heart bleed but, I promise, knowing them and their valor will strengthen your soul. The book isn't a very crisp read. The editor could have done a much better job because the author tends to repeat her thoughts and words through the stories. Also each chapter could have been aligned better (I believe, an editorial error) and that would have made the brave stories a crisp and much better read. I chose to concentrate on the stories which were real and had a lot of heart; hence regardless of the small errors made by the author, and her editor, I choose to give this book a 4 star rating. Had the book been a crisp read, I have no doubt; I would have given it a 5 star rating. We tend to take our freedom for granted. We complaining about silly stuff like potholes, traffic jams, about standing in line to pay our property taxes, all the while when there are valiant souls guarding us at the ‘wall’ who sometimes in remote areas lack ration and adequate clothing. Do read this one. It’s a must read for all Indians!
June 19, 2015
writing this review would be a battle betwre. the head and the heart. your heart cannot believe the superhuman stories of courage displayed by these army men. the head thinks that though the book is a good attempt in capturing the stories that every single Indian must know, the writing has a number of flaws. the content structure is haphazard..phrases, words have been repeated, ideas have been re-re-reintroduced in the chapters. despite the flaws, my heart takes over and I recommend everyone to read it and feel proud of the people who live and die for our nation.
March 9, 2020
I find it ironical that there are so few books on these real heroes who have made the nation proud on so many occasions by leaving their essence forever. This book will make one pensive on more than one occasion. Even after having just completed the book, I find it a little surreal as to how can someone be so selfless and committed towards their duty even in the face of impending death. A recommended read for every Indian.
May 20, 2022
This book talks about the bravest of brave that India has had since its independence. We can take a lot of life lessons and teachings from the lives that they lived.
Being brave is not all that complicated. Being able to do what is natural to a particular situation is what being brave is all about.
Being brave is not all that complicated. Being able to do what is natural to a particular situation is what being brave is all about.
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April 22, 2015The writing is so charismatic that it takes you right into the combat zone and helps you to relate with each and every brave soldier.
August 11, 2023
The Brave consists of stories of fearless & courageous soldiers who were decorated with the Param Vir Chakra, independent India's highest gallantry award during the Indo-Pak (1947)war, Congo war, Indo-Chinese war, second Kashmir war, Indo-Pak war(1971), Siachen war, Operation Pawan & popularly known the Kargil war. There are stories of 21 bravest of the brave soldiers who got Param Vir Chakra, out of which only few were fortunate enough to wear it alive. This book is based upon the interviews with the soldiers who fought with martyred soldiers, their family members or relevant materials, sources assisted by various people who are involved to make this book happen. Stories of war, how it happened, why it happened, battalion's victory and every other thing was very nearly explained as not even a single time it felt complicated to understand. Also, additional information like the background of the soldiers and about their developmental history given with each story was interesting to read. Not to mention the sketches which made the soldiers alive in my heart and mind. With each story I tend to go back to see their faces as it felt more liveable while reading about their valorous actions. During my reading, i couldn't stop thinking about the author who undertook such a task. Because to bring these stories out of the records in Army history, or talking about the martyred soldiers to their family members or loved ones must be mentally and emotionally very exhaustive for both the sides. Hence, I'm equally thankful to their family members also, who proved to be equally brave emotionally and played a very sensitive role to make this book happen. It's not easy for a writer to take all of it and the person who tells all of it as it brings back a lot of memories which makes us feel weak enough to process it all together again. It's like opening a box of emotions and feelings which are supposed to be closed slowly and steadily at the end of the interview. I couldn't stop pondering upon the mental and emotional well-being of the family members including their children, spouses or parents who lost their son, father or husband in bloody wars.
January 9, 2021
"Soldiers don't die when bullets pierce their hearts and heads through their olive green shirts and woollen balaclavas. They don't die when they fall before an enemy onslaught, or even when they get buried in trenches, staining the earth with their warm crimson blood. It is only when we forget their acts of bravery that soldiers die." (Chapter- Jadunath Singh, The Brave, 40)
I felt so many emotions while reading this book. I had tears in my eyes, I felt proud and surprised. Surprised to read about such bravery! Wow! Are these real human beings? How can someone be so brave? I felt so proud while reading about our country's real heroes! Such unflinching valour! This book is so good. I loved it!
Their war cries of "Jai Mahakali, aayo Gorkhali" before killing the enemy, gave me goosebumps! Sometimes they had far inferior rifles but still they fought till their last breath. Stabbing their enemies with "khukris" when their outmoded .303 single action rifles of WW2 vintage failed in comparison to their enemy's latest automatics, they showed exceptional abilities to protect their nation.
"How can a man die better
Than facing fearful odds,
For the ashes of his fathers,
And the temples of his gods."
(Lord Thomas Macaulay)
I felt so many emotions while reading this book. I had tears in my eyes, I felt proud and surprised. Surprised to read about such bravery! Wow! Are these real human beings? How can someone be so brave? I felt so proud while reading about our country's real heroes! Such unflinching valour! This book is so good. I loved it!
Their war cries of "Jai Mahakali, aayo Gorkhali" before killing the enemy, gave me goosebumps! Sometimes they had far inferior rifles but still they fought till their last breath. Stabbing their enemies with "khukris" when their outmoded .303 single action rifles of WW2 vintage failed in comparison to their enemy's latest automatics, they showed exceptional abilities to protect their nation.
"How can a man die better
Than facing fearful odds,
For the ashes of his fathers,
And the temples of his gods."
(Lord Thomas Macaulay)
December 5, 2020
First book I've read of Maam Rachna. There's a bit about PVC Yogendra Singh Yadav thats not there. Like how he got lucky when the Pakistani terrorists shot him in his chest, the coins kept inside his chest pocket saved him. It's not there in the book.
But.. I really loved the chapter about Capt. Manoj Pandey. The descriptions really made me feel as if I was there, climbing those cold mountains. Every pain he went through, I felt it. And it made me emotional. It really did.
Fun fact: Capt. Manoj Pandey, when he volunteered to capture the height with his men, was just a Lieutenant. The chief then, captured by his bravery, gave him an out of turn promotion and told him that if he and his men could wave and put the Indian flag on that point, the chief himself would come there to serve him breakfast. Heard this from one of Major Surendra Poonia's ted talks.
5 stars. I'm a generous man. No? :)
But.. I really loved the chapter about Capt. Manoj Pandey. The descriptions really made me feel as if I was there, climbing those cold mountains. Every pain he went through, I felt it. And it made me emotional. It really did.
Fun fact: Capt. Manoj Pandey, when he volunteered to capture the height with his men, was just a Lieutenant. The chief then, captured by his bravery, gave him an out of turn promotion and told him that if he and his men could wave and put the Indian flag on that point, the chief himself would come there to serve him breakfast. Heard this from one of Major Surendra Poonia's ted talks.
5 stars. I'm a generous man. No? :)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 6, 2024
What a phenomenal book! This book beautifully captures the stories of all 21 Param Vir Chakra awardees from our country and recounts their brave fights while facing the toughest of odds. Starting from the Indo-Pak war of 1947-48 to the Kargil War in 1999, Rachna Bisht Rawat's narration will take you on a journey which will give you chills, make your hairs stand, your blood boil and your heart fill with sadness and pride!
As Rachna puts it so beautifully, "Soldiers don’t die when bullets pierce their hearts and heads through their olive green shirts and woollen balaclavas. They don’t die when they fall before an enemy onslaught, or even when they get buried in trenches, staining the earth with their warm crimson blood. It is only when we forget their acts of bravery that soldiers die.”
Remember their names, their stories and their sacrifices. Jai Hind!
As Rachna puts it so beautifully, "Soldiers don’t die when bullets pierce their hearts and heads through their olive green shirts and woollen balaclavas. They don’t die when they fall before an enemy onslaught, or even when they get buried in trenches, staining the earth with their warm crimson blood. It is only when we forget their acts of bravery that soldiers die.”
Remember their names, their stories and their sacrifices. Jai Hind!
September 3, 2017
Think of a rainy holiday afternoon when you started this book with a hot cup of coffee, it rains endlessly and water clogs the streets and then you think of how difficult it would be to get to anywhere in this rain. Now, picture this rain building up waist high at some very inhospitable places and men in olive green wading in them protecting your way of life. That is forever a debt that will be unpaid. This book tells you tales of the bravest among the braves and it does so in a honest, well researched, non jingoistic way. These tales need to be told and retold, endlessly. I hope the author writes more such books of the tales of valor yet to be told and about to be forgotten.
December 2, 2017
This book is a true gem and a must read. Brave chronicles the stories and war incidents of India's 21 Param Vir Chakra winners.. While the writing is easy to read and follow, its really the spirit of these superhuman warriors that is really spellbinding. Be it Piru Singh who single handedly destroyed 4 Pakistani intruder bunkers and soldiers before succumbing to his injuries in 1948, or Abdul Hamid who sank 7 Pakistani tanks in the 1965 war or Vikram Batra who defended Kargil, these warriors represent the spirit of the Indian Army and how we are eternally indebted to them to keep us safe. Salute to these bravehearts!!
March 15, 2019
This is the first time I have read about all the Paramviir Chakra (PVC) awardees. Every act of valor is inspiring and exemplary of paramviirataa (supreme bravery). The portrait of the “braves” outside the army life gives a glimpse of their childhood, thought process and family dynamics. Their attitude of facing the most hazardous conditions even death, with a smile shows the mettle they are made of. The writing lacks fluidity and continuity at few places and sometimes glosses over perhaps due to unavailability of details.
Overall, it is a good read and will recommend esp. to Indians.
Overall, it is a good read and will recommend esp. to Indians.
March 17, 2018
" This book is a tribute to all the Indian soldiers who secure our border and trade their lives in return. This book shows the hardships and the sacrifices these martyrs go through in each phase of their lives. The stories are well articulated and documented, capturing their daily lives in the camp and during war times heroics. One thing in this book is the way the author tried to document their good old times and their childhood, before joining the academy and how the academy has shaped them. Must read and hearty wishes to Rachna Bisht Rawat for her future endeavors :)
April 13, 2018
Very much proud of our param vir men. Its sad to know most of them does not live among us, but they are the ones who set examples for others.
The supreme sacrifices these men make are often forgotten, and are never celebrated. Thanks for the author who took pain in talking with the param vir, their kith and kin to make this awesome book.
Got to know 21 param vir men through this book...
People who fight in the name of religion on social media should read this book to understand what it really means to be Indian. Nothing else matters.
The supreme sacrifices these men make are often forgotten, and are never celebrated. Thanks for the author who took pain in talking with the param vir, their kith and kin to make this awesome book.
Got to know 21 param vir men through this book...
People who fight in the name of religion on social media should read this book to understand what it really means to be Indian. Nothing else matters.
August 25, 2019
21 poignant tales of Param Vir Chakra Awardees which are bound to give you goosebumps & fill your chest with pride.
The book's primary purpose as the author says remains:
"Soldiers don't die when bullets pierce their hearts and heads through their olive green shirts and woollen balaclavas. They don’t die when they fall before an enemy onslaught, or even when they get buried in trenches, staining the earth with their warm crimson blood. It is only when we forget their acts of bravery that soldiers die."
The book's primary purpose as the author says remains:
"Soldiers don't die when bullets pierce their hearts and heads through their olive green shirts and woollen balaclavas. They don’t die when they fall before an enemy onslaught, or even when they get buried in trenches, staining the earth with their warm crimson blood. It is only when we forget their acts of bravery that soldiers die."
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