Field Marshal Sam Hormusji Framji Jamshedji Manekshaw, fondly known as Sam Bahadur, was one of the greatest war heroes and military leaders India has produced. He became a household name in India and was hailed as a legendary soldier and an inspiration to his fellow citizens for crafting India's greatest military victory in the 1971 Indo-Pak war as Chief of Staff (1969-73) of the Indian armed forces. Spanning four decades, he served the country gloriously through five wars—World War II, The Indo-Pakistani War of Partition (1947), the Sino-Indian War (1962), and the India-Pakistan wars (1965 and 1971). The first Indian Army officer to be promoted to the five-star rank of Field Marshal, Sam Bahadur continues to be the most admired war hero of our army chiefs. He will remain an example of self-sacrifice, personal bravery, and steadfast devotion to duty that began before India's independence, and will deservedly live in the annals of the military history of India forever.
This Is The Approved Biography Of Sam By His Military Assistant Is A With Special Emphasis On His Term As The Chief Of Army Staff. It Is A Charming Account Of The Clarity Of Thought, The Undaunting Ideology And Professionalism, Easy Demeanour And Fantastic Sense Of Humour Of A Man Dedicated To The Task Of Soldiering With Dignity.
Unlike traditional biographies of combat leaders, which focus primarily on military operations or regimental histories, in this book Major General V.K. Singh concentrates on personal accounts, anecdotes and reminiscences in order to highlight these leaders’ personalities, and to draw out the human face behind the military facade. Through the stories of these twelve military leaders, the book also throws new light on several historical events and the role of political leaders during India’s fight for independence and the partitioning of the subcontinent. He gives an overview of India’s military history after independence, including major operations, and describes many hitherto unknown or little-known incidents concerning smaller operations like Nathu La in 1967 and Goa in 1962. Written records tend to glorify the actions of battalions as well as individuals, Singh says, magnifying achievements while suppressing the mistakes and glossing over failures. Leadership in the Indian Army provides a truer picture of the strength of character and convictions of each of these leaders. A must-read for anyone interested in India’s military history.
Jews who have made India their home have flourished without adverse discrimination. Of this, the Baghdadi Sephardic community is very small in number but has produced one of India's greatest contemporary soldiers, Lt Gen. Jack Jacob. This is his fascinating story. As a small boy, Jacob, who was from a business family, was sent to a residential public school in Darjeeling along with his two brothers. When the Second World War broke out, Jacob without informing his family joined the army in 1941 to fight against the Nazis! After Independence, Gen. Jacob became a gunnery instructor for some time and subsequently was trained in an advanced Artillery and Missile course at Fort Sill in the US. A quick learner, he commanded infantry and artillery brigades, headed the artillery school, and finally the Eastern Army. Rubbing shoulders with some of the stalwarts who strode the Indian political and military arena in those times, Gen. Jacob sometimes fell foul of his bosses and twice came close to resigning. But he stuck on and the pinnacle of his career came in 1971, when he planned and oversaw operations leading to the fall of Dacca and obtained an unconditional public surrender, the only one in history, of Gen. Niazi and his army of 93,000. Written lucidly, this autobiography comes to life as a historical document recapitulating some of the most important events of the 1960s to the 90s - from the defeat of the Naxalites in West Bengal, to the problems of Nagaland and Sikkim and the politics of Goa and Punjab. This is not only the story of the life of one great soldier, but provides glimpses of some of the most influential and colourful personalities who wrote the history of those tumultuous times.
This is the first definitive biography of arguably India’s most influential and powerful civil servant: P.N. Haksar, Indira Gandhi’s alter ego during her period of glory. Educated in the sciences and trained in law, Haksar was a diplomat by profession and a communist-turned-democratic socialist by conviction. He had known Indira Gandhi from their student days in London in the late-1930s, even though family links predated this friendship. They kept in touch, and in May 1967, she plucked him out of his diplomatic career and appointed him secretary in the prime minister’s Secretariat. This is when he emerged as her ideological beacon and moral compass, playing a pivotal role in her much-heralded achievements including the nationalization of banks, abolition of privy purses and princely privileges, the Indo-Soviet Treaty, the creation of Bangladesh, rapprochement with Sheikh Abdullah, the Simla and New Delhi Agreements with Pakistan, the emergence of the country as an agricultural, space and nuclear power and, later, the integration of Sikkim with India. This power and influence notwithstanding, Haksar chose to walk away from Indira Gandhi in January 1973. She, however, persuaded him to soon return, first as her special envoy and later as deputy chairman of the Planning Commission where he left his distinctive imprint. Exiting government once and for all in May 1977, he then continued to be associated with a number of academic institutions and became the patron for various national causes like protecting India’s secular traditions, propagating of a scientific temper, strengthening the public sector and deepening technological self-reliance. Successive prime ministers sought his counsel and in May 1987, he initiated the reconstruction of India’s relations with China. He remained an unrepentant Marxist and one of India’s most respected elder statesman and leading public figures till his death in November 1998. Drawing on Haksar’s extensive archives of official papers, memos, notes and letters, Jairam Ramesh presents a compelling chronicle of the life and times of a truly remarkable personality who decisively shaped the nation’s political and economic history in the 1960s and 1970s that continues to have relevance for today’s India as well. Written in Ramesh’s inimitable style, this work of formidable scholarship brings to life a man who is fast becoming a victim of collective amnesia.
Employment till now of our nascent Special Forces have been analyzed including whether our Special Forces have actually been employed or used as Special Forces or primarily used in counter insurgency operations for which we have any number of other units available. The book brings out whether a rare resource like Special Forces should or should not be employed for such missions that can be performed by a host of other groups. In the backdrop of 21st Century threats, what should be the Special Forces structure in India, their concept of employment and doctrine? These are the other questions this book has attempted to answer.
In a nation deprived of good sports literature, Forgive Me Amma comes as a breath of fresh air. Written in the author's unique style, the book takes the reader to the thick of action, be it on the lush green astro turf, or in the middle of an enthusiastic crowd, or at the highly charged press conferences. Precise, objective and highly readable, the book succeeds in not only presenting the enigmatic legend Dhanraj Pillay in all his fame and fury, but also documents the tumultuous journey of Indian hockey during the times he played.
‘Military Wisdom’ is almost half-a-century long indulgence – comprising collection, collation and compilation of military wisdom and thoughts as experienced and articulated by famous warriors and thinkers from across the world and all ages. These pages in your hands encapsule almost all the facets of soldiering and are intended to motivate not only the military fraternity but even those who are not integral to it, for battle of life is not only restricted to those who carry arms. For those who do not weild weapons, this volume affords a rare view of the hearts and minds of the men who take to their uniforms as extention of their skin and are ever yearning to slay and sacrifice when duty blows the trumpet so that those within the geographic confines of the borders can savour peace, prosperity and happiness. Military Wisdom by Brigadier V.K. Bali: Military Wisdom - Insights from a Seasoned Officer: Military Wisdom by Brigadier V.K. Bali is a compelling book that offers valuable insights and lessons from the perspective of a seasoned military officer. Drawing from his extensive experience and expertise, Bali shares profound wisdom and principles that can be applied not only in military contexts but also in various aspects of life, including leadership, decision-making, teamwork, and resilience. Key Aspects of the Book "Military Wisdom": Insights from a Seasoned Officer: As a highly experienced military officer, Brigadier V.K. Bali shares his unique insights and firsthand experiences in this book. Readers gain a rare glimpse into the world of the military, as Bali reflects on his time in service and distills the wisdom acquired from challenging situations and critical decision-making. Leadership and Teamwork: The book delves into the principles of effective leadership and teamwork, drawing upon military strategies and practices. Bali offers valuable guidance on building strong teams, fostering a sense of camaraderie, instilling discipline, and leading by example, with practical applications that extend beyond the military realm. Resilience and Adaptability: Bali highlights the importance of resilience and adaptability in the face of adversity. Drawing from military operations and experiences, the book provides insights into overcoming challenges, making quick and sound decisions under pressure, and maintaining mental and emotional fortitude in demanding situations. Brigadier V.K. Bali, the author of Military Wisdom, is a highly respected and decorated military officer with a wealth of experience and expertise. Having served in various leadership roles and challenging environments, Bali brings a unique perspective to the principles of leadership, teamwork, and resilience. Through this book, he shares his military wisdom, offering readers valuable insights that can be applied in both professional and personal contexts, inspiring them to cultivate the qualities of a strong and effective leader. Military Wisdom by Brigadier V.K. Bali: Military Wisdom - Insights from a Seasoned Officer: Military Wisdom by Brigadier V.K. Bali is a compelling book that offers valuable insights and lessons from the perspective of a seasoned military officer. Drawing from his extensive experience and expertise, Bali shares profound wisdom and principles that can be applied not only in military contexts but also in various aspects of life, including leadership, decision-making, teamwork, and resilience. Key Aspects of the Book "Military Wisdom": Insights from a Seasoned Officer: As a highly experienced military officer, Brigadier V.K. Bali shares his unique insights and firsthand experiences in this book. Readers gain a rare glimpse into the world of the military, as Bali reflects on his time in service and distills the wisdom acquired from challenging situations and critical decision-making. Leadership and Teamwork: The book delves into the principles of effective leadership and teamwork, drawing upon military strategies and practices. Bali offers valuable guidance on building strong teams, fostering a sense of camaraderie, instilling discipline, and leading by example, with practical applications that extend beyond the military realm. Resilience and Adaptability: Bali highlights the importance of resilience and adaptability in the face of adversity. Drawing from military operations and experiences, the book provides insights into overcoming challenges, making quick and sound decisions under pressure, and maintaining mental and emotional fortitude in demanding situations. Brigadier V.K. Bali, the author of Military Wisdom, is a highly respected and decorated military officer with a wealth of experience and expertise. Having served in various leadership roles and challenging environments, Bali brings a unique perspective to the principles of leadership, teamwork, and resilience. Through this book, he shares his military wisdom, offering readers valuable insights that can be applied in both professional and personal contexts, inspiring them to cultivate the qualities of a strong and effective leader.
