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A review by ladybookamore
Vijyant at Kargil: The Biography of a War Hero Kindle Edition by V.N. Thapar, Neha Dwivedi
4.0
Whenever we Indians realise that the month of August has begun, our hearts are clenched by one epiphany in particular - the Independence Day is nigh! There are preparations of march pasts and pipe bands already happening in full swing almost everywhere in India. I am not sure about this year though! And it is in this month when we are overwhelmed with the mainstream Indianness that we decide to read Indian books on India which are written by Indian authors. Whether it is poetry or prose, this Indianness lasts for 31 days, in the garb of patriotism.
However, this book does not singularly talk about Indianness. Consider Vijyant at Kargil as a literary #throwback to those days of horror and anxiety which never stole the sleep of the Indian commoners, because we knew it well that our soldiers were fighting in the war till their last breath. It is a recognition and celebration of bravery and sacrifice of an Indian soldier.
I find myself on slippery ground as I type in my thoughts and opinions pertaining to Vijyant at Kargil. No. I think I am not qualified enough to criticise this book, because Vijyant at Kargil is sought from experience. History can be altered with every vantage point, but not experience. Memories and experience are capable of creating as well as dismantling the foundations of history. Thus, I choose to believe in this memoir of a brave national hero whose mission was plain and simple – to protect our motherland, India, against all odds. Vijyant at Kargil includes a multitude of anecdotes from the life of Captain Vijyant Thapar, along with many photographs taken from the archives. It is a moving work of biography, and at the same time a comprehensive documentation of an Indian soldier’s life and legacy.
Vijyant at Kargil is one of the Indian English memoirs that should be in your reading list for sure.
However, this book does not singularly talk about Indianness. Consider Vijyant at Kargil as a literary #throwback to those days of horror and anxiety which never stole the sleep of the Indian commoners, because we knew it well that our soldiers were fighting in the war till their last breath. It is a recognition and celebration of bravery and sacrifice of an Indian soldier.
I find myself on slippery ground as I type in my thoughts and opinions pertaining to Vijyant at Kargil. No. I think I am not qualified enough to criticise this book, because Vijyant at Kargil is sought from experience. History can be altered with every vantage point, but not experience. Memories and experience are capable of creating as well as dismantling the foundations of history. Thus, I choose to believe in this memoir of a brave national hero whose mission was plain and simple – to protect our motherland, India, against all odds. Vijyant at Kargil includes a multitude of anecdotes from the life of Captain Vijyant Thapar, along with many photographs taken from the archives. It is a moving work of biography, and at the same time a comprehensive documentation of an Indian soldier’s life and legacy.
Vijyant at Kargil is one of the Indian English memoirs that should be in your reading list for sure.