“A soldier is a soldier even when he sleeps”
Blurb: In May 1999, the Kargil insurgency was still being viewed as a routine affair. No one quite understood the magnitude of the situation. However, it soon emerged that infiltrators had captured high-altitude posts vacated by Indian soldiers during the winter months and thus had a tactical upper hand, while the Indian Army struggled with intelligence.
For the next month or so, Capt. Anuj Nayyar and the men of 17 Jat went on various reconnaissance missions in the boulder-strewn Drass sector where enemy troops had set up base. They fought relentlessly in a gruesome battle for two nights in July, before securing the peak that was critical to the success of Operation Vijay and India’s victory in Kargil. Amid heavy artillery and mortar fire, they destroyed four enemy bunkers and neutralized tens of infiltrators in close combat. During the attack on the fourth bunker, the twenty-three-year-old captain was hit by an enemy rocket-propelled grenade, dying instantly but saving the lives of fifteen men in the process, who eventually finished the mission and hoisted the Indian flag on the peak.
For motivating his command by personal example and going beyond the call of duty, Capt. Anuj Nayyar was awarded India’s second-highest gallantry award, the Maha Vir Chakra, in 2000.
Review: There are many books written on the Kargil War and Kargil War Heroes. But a book brought together by a Kargil War Hero’s mother is rare. Many of us were kids when the Kargil War happened, and we don’t hold a memory of the situation in the country. Being an avid reader, I read books on the war and learned about Armed Forces. I haven’t had anyone from my family who has been on the borders. Reading a book about Captain Anuj Nayyar brings back the war scenario live. I believe that books written on legends don’t need a reviewer. These books on ‘Kargil War’ are masterpieces for generations to come. This book would bring smiles, tears, and sorrow together to every reader. No one can imagine the plight of a Martyr’s family.
‘The Beginning’ describes the Nayyar household, which is cute – ‘Ghar Meena ka’. ‘Mani is always right’ All three male members of this Janakpuri household followed this like gospel.
As the chapters run by, there is an aspiring young man turning into a soldier. The book has letters, excerpts, and real-time reactions inked. I have read a couple of books on the Kargil War, yet I feel angry about how the soldiers were treated. I couldn’t hold my tears while I read about Capt. Anuj Nayyar’s last journey. A loss that felt so personal. A 23-year-old Captain was martyred to protect the pride and honor of the country. A family lost their son and a woman lost her partner for us, for our future. The letters and testimonials left me numb. In these pages, you would see soldiers teary-eyed for their comrades fighting an unconventional war. The next war was of course fighting within for their loss. ‘The Second War’ brought the struggle of Nayyar’s family fighting the memories, mourning their loss, and troubles the government brought. I believe that no one ever stops grieving the loss of their loved one, we learn to live with it buried in the corner of our hearts. It’s a matter of coincidence that I finished reading this book, a day prior when Capt. Anuj Nayyar attained martyrdom. I would like to recommend this book to every Indian and not just the reading community. ‘Know your Heroes’
“I told him to go deep into their hearts and minds so that no other Indian soldier dies for their cowardly attacks from hidden positions.” ~Brig. Bawa
“I’m not that irresponsible to come home without a fight. I am not that person who would come back without winning this war, it’s not what you’ve taught me” ~ Capt. Anuj Nayyar (MVC)
Lines from the book that stayed with me:
“It’s rare for a soldier to show emotions. But when he does it, it adds to his character”
“A strong mind was more important than physical endurance”
“A soldier is a soldier even when he sleeps”
“A soldier wears many caps”
nidhantrika 