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The Victoria Cross: A Love Story: The life of Lt Gen P S Bhagat PVSM, VC: World War II Hero and author of the Henderson Brooks/Bhagat Report on the India-China War.
The Victoria Cross: A Love Story is a narrative of courage and love, spanning six decades—from the battlefields in Africa during World War II to India after Independence and beyond. Lt. Prem Bhagat was the first Indian officer to be awarded the Victoria Cross for gallantry in World War II. His Commanding Officer described his action of clearing 55 miles of a mined road in 96 hours as
“the longest continued feat ... of sheer cold courage”.
From the battlefield, Prem would write letters to his beloved Mohini, but he never talked about his brushes with death; instead, he kept Mohini amused with descriptions of his disastrous attempts at cooking and the coterie of animals he had adopted! After the war, he returned home a hero but thought lightly of it, and, interestingly, according to him his greatest feat was to have obtained permission from Mohini’s father to marry her.
This memoir by their daughter describes the lives of Mohini and Prem together; first, as they faced the tragedy of India’s partition and then his career as an up-and-coming soldier in independent India. This book also touches upon the India–China war, Bhagat’s warnings as the Director of the Military Intelligence and the Henderson Brooks/Bhagat Report concerning the enquiry Bhagat was involved with after the debacle of the China war.
Though Lt. Gen. Bhagat was considered the natural choice for the post of the Army chief, he was superseded. He then went on to become the Chairman of the Damodar Valley Corporation,
where he became famous for his management style by turning around a moribund organization in just 10 months.
The author weaves the story around her mother’s memories of her life with Prem. Despite having been struck down by the most painful terminal cancer, Mohini’s desire to have her husband’s legend live on and her fortitude through her formidable illness give a whole new dimension to the words courage and love—themes that run through this sensitively written book about the lives of two extraordinary people.
“the longest continued feat ... of sheer cold courage”.
From the battlefield, Prem would write letters to his beloved Mohini, but he never talked about his brushes with death; instead, he kept Mohini amused with descriptions of his disastrous attempts at cooking and the coterie of animals he had adopted! After the war, he returned home a hero but thought lightly of it, and, interestingly, according to him his greatest feat was to have obtained permission from Mohini’s father to marry her.
This memoir by their daughter describes the lives of Mohini and Prem together; first, as they faced the tragedy of India’s partition and then his career as an up-and-coming soldier in independent India. This book also touches upon the India–China war, Bhagat’s warnings as the Director of the Military Intelligence and the Henderson Brooks/Bhagat Report concerning the enquiry Bhagat was involved with after the debacle of the China war.
Though Lt. Gen. Bhagat was considered the natural choice for the post of the Army chief, he was superseded. He then went on to become the Chairman of the Damodar Valley Corporation,
where he became famous for his management style by turning around a moribund organization in just 10 months.
The author weaves the story around her mother’s memories of her life with Prem. Despite having been struck down by the most painful terminal cancer, Mohini’s desire to have her husband’s legend live on and her fortitude through her formidable illness give a whole new dimension to the words courage and love—themes that run through this sensitively written book about the lives of two extraordinary people.
- GenresNonfiction
271 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
March 1, 2015
This is a story of a remarkable man, and the driving force of his life - his wife. There are many anecdotes that prove how well respected and loved he was. It's tragic how he died.
The letters he wrote to his wife is the classic tale of old romance. A soldier living through a period of wars and conflict, separated from his wife and family for most of the year wasn't easy, and these letters drive home the point. His wife, beautiful and elegant, supported her man and his mission till she could, even after his death. Her own battle with cancer towards the end is a painful reminder of the fragility of life.
Where this books fails is in the writing/editing. It is written by the daughter but I would blame the editor who could have polished it up more. There are 3-4 line summaries of some of the letters that are just 6-8 lines long. The switch from the story of the soldier to the last months of the mother battling with cancer is not smooth and distracts from the romance. I was tempted to deduct a star because of it, but then I always hold that the quality of the story being told is paramount.
The letters he wrote to his wife is the classic tale of old romance. A soldier living through a period of wars and conflict, separated from his wife and family for most of the year wasn't easy, and these letters drive home the point. His wife, beautiful and elegant, supported her man and his mission till she could, even after his death. Her own battle with cancer towards the end is a painful reminder of the fragility of life.
Where this books fails is in the writing/editing. It is written by the daughter but I would blame the editor who could have polished it up more. There are 3-4 line summaries of some of the letters that are just 6-8 lines long. The switch from the story of the soldier to the last months of the mother battling with cancer is not smooth and distracts from the romance. I was tempted to deduct a star because of it, but then I always hold that the quality of the story being told is paramount.
February 16, 2013
A beautiful read for anyone in love with the Indian Armed Forces and anyone who wishes to know about courage, grace, poignance, valour, and so many more attributes that come forward in this touching rendition of a daughter for her parents.
Blessed is the person to have such decorated parents and blessed is the life led by General and Mrs. Preminder Bhagat. Salute!
Blessed is the person to have such decorated parents and blessed is the life led by General and Mrs. Preminder Bhagat. Salute!
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews