Beyond the Great Valleys of Ladakh
Beyond the Great Valleys of Ladakh

Author: Shomika Sarkar

Publisher: Copal Publishing Group

Published: 2016-07-07

Total Pages: 104

ISBN-13: 9383419377

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If Himalayas are the landscape of the mind, Ladakh defines it as a landscape. Ladakh -- the region with world's highest mountains was opened to the outside world in 1970s. Before that the entire region lived in oblivion inside their own world; ice cold winters and warm summers with green apricot trees blossoming in its barren landscape. The short summers are celebration for the people, dancing and drinking only to pave way for the apricot leaves to turn yellow and red; paving the way for arrival of long cold winters. Closing down of Tibet by China and similarity of the region to Tibet, encouraged people to travel and explore Ladakh. The unique landscape of white chortens, terraced Gompas, wooden mosques scattered in the barrenness of the land made it stand out and encouraged more and more travellers to explore and search for the lost "Sangri-la". Of course no one found Shangri-La; but in the process discovered something even more profound and rich. The place which is still older than time, which had long trade relations with Central Asia, where the Himalayas and the Karakoram ranges rest. Its art and architecture inspired from India, Tibet, central Asia and made richer by amalgamation of Muslim cultures from Persia. The architecture is perplexing at times, not only because of the terrain it is built on, low rooms, or small openings; but it is different also in the way we perceive it from our sense. The texture of earth on walls, the stone-clad pathways, timber roofs and mud floors transports us to hundreds of years. The old houses built close to each other forms a labyrinth which is difficult to decipher; thus making us even more confused.

War With No Gains
War With No Gains

Author: Lt. Gen. K.K. Nanda

Publisher: Prabhat Prakashan

Published: 2013-01-01

Total Pages: 276

ISBN-13: 818430241X

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I was ordered to attack a Pakistan’s-very strong defensive position, opposite me on the same night. It made no sense to me, particularly when my entire Brigade Sector was under intense shelling and Pakistan, having the initiative could attack that night. Under the then prevailing circumstances I was certain that lifting of troops from one of my forward infantry battalions would unbalance me and I, therefore, had no option but to refuse the GOCs order. He was livid and very angry and that led to my fighting Maj Gen E’Desouza rather than Pakistan during the fortnight of the War. For all my subsequent offensive actions, he refused to give me any additional troops from his reserve Brigade, which was located in my Sector only and that too without any ground holding responsibility or any other commitment. We, of course, did our best but that was not good enough. My Brigade would have achieved much more, if additional resources had been allotted to me by the GOC for specific tasks. In this bargain the Indian Army and the Nation lost a golden opportunity to capture real estate in POK. —Excerpt from the book This book by Lt Gen KK Nanda serves a good purpose in portraying important aspects of Army life in Operational Areas and during War. It is of value to professionals as well as to the general public, interested in defence issues. War With No Gains by Lt. Gen. K.K. Nanda : "War With No Gains: An Insider's Account" offers a compelling and insightful narrative of warfare from the perspective of Lt. Gen. K.K. Nanda. Drawing from his extensive military experience, the book provides a firsthand account of the realities, complexities, and consequences of armed conflicts. Lt. Gen. Nanda offers valuable insights into the human cost of war and emphasizes the importance of peaceful resolutions to global conflicts. Key Aspects of the Book "War With No Gains: An Insider's Account": Personal Experiences: Lt. Gen. K.K. Nanda shares his personal experiences and encounters on the battlefield, providing readers with a unique perspective on the challenges faced by soldiers and the emotional toll of war. Strategic Analysis: The book goes beyond personal anecdotes and delves into strategic analysis, examining the factors that contribute to the initiation and escalation of conflicts. Lt. Gen. Nanda offers reflections on the impact of geopolitical dynamics and the importance of diplomatic efforts in preventing war. Lessons for Peace: "War With No Gains" highlights the futility of war and underscores the significance of peaceful resolutions. Lt. Gen. Nanda advocates for dialogue, cooperation, and conflict resolution methods to avoid the devastating consequences of armed conflicts. Lt. Gen. K.K. Nanda, a distinguished military officer, brings his extensive firsthand experience to "War With No Gains: An Insider's Account." With a decorated career in the armed forces, Lt. Gen. Nanda witnessed the harsh realities of war and its profound impact on both soldiers and civilians. Through his book, he aims to shed light on the human side of conflicts and advocate for peaceful solutions. Lt. Gen. Nanda's unique perspective and insights provide readers with a deeper understanding of the complexities of war and the urgent need for global efforts to prioritize peace and diplomacy.

The Encyclopaedia Britannica
The Encyclopaedia Britannica

Author: Hugh Chisholm

Publisher:

Published: 1911

Total Pages: 1014

ISBN-13:

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This eleventh edition was developed during the encyclopaedia's transition from a British to an American publication. Some of its articles were written by the best-known scholars of the time and it is considered to be a landmark encyclopaedia for scholarship and literary style.

Kashmir: Its Aborigines and Their Exodus
Kashmir: Its Aborigines and Their Exodus

Author: Colonel Tej K Tikoo

Publisher: Lancer Publishers LLC

Published:

Total Pages: 432

ISBN-13: 1935501585

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Exodus of Kashmiri Pandits from Kashmir in 1989 was their seventh such exodus since the arrival of Islam in Kashmir in the fourteenth century. This was precipitated by the outbreak of Pakistan-sponsored insurgency across Kashmir Valley in 1989. The radical Islamists targeted Pandits - a minuscule community in Muslim dominated society creating enormous fear, panic and grave sense of insecurity. In the face of ruthless atrocities inflicted on them, the Pandits’ sole concern was ensuring their own physical safety and their resolve not to convert to Islam. Over 350,000 Kashmiri Pandits were forced to flee en masse leaving their home and hearth. This was the single largest forced displacement of people of a particular ethnicity after partition of India. Pandits’ travails did not end with the exodus. The obstructive and intimidating attitude of the State administration towards the Pandit refugees made their post-exodus existence even more miserable. The Government at the Centre too remained indifferent to their plight. This book traces the Pandits’ economic and political marginalization in the State over the past six decades and covers in detail the events that led to their eventual exodus. In the light of ethnic cleansing of Pandits from the Valley, the book also examines some critical issues so crucial to India’s survival as a multi-cultural, liberal and secular democracy.