Book Review - Battles of Dograi - 1965 - Dare Devilry of 3 Jat BN

 

" The Nation has a right to know and we have a duty to tell how our Captains of War keep vigil over the borders of India around the clock and sacrifice their lives so that the Nation lives"

Book Title -  Battles of Dograi - 1965 - Dare Devilry of 3 Jat BN

Written by - Dr. Virendra Verma

This 74 pages book is a power packed account of one of the hard-fought war fought by India - The war of 1965.

Very effective narration and story telling. I felt as if I was right there in the war field watching it live. It has all the minute and first hand details of the war. No nonsense and just absolute facts.

Read this book to know what a soldier goes through during the war, how a soldier prepares for the war and how does it feel to be there in the war-field.

This book also has take-away on the leadership qualities, the importance of discipline and keeping oneself fit and the importance of physical training.

Mentions of some of the Heros from the Battle of Dograi:

• Lt. Col Desmond Hayde
• Subedar Khazan Singh
• Sebedar Pele Ram
• Sepoy Lehna Ram
• Major Tyagi
• Naib Subedar Chotu Ram
• Sepoy Ram Chandra
• L/Havildar Randhir Singh 

Some touching and motivating quotes from the book:

• The dead bodies of the Jats lying in the trenches on the bloody battlefield seemed to whisper to every passer-by, "O comrade-in arms, go and tell our countrymen that we sacrificed our lives for the cause of our country's defence but did not permit the enemy to attack 3 Jat from the rear."
• He knows his duty to the Nation in the hour of trial and put up the best show, unmindful of all risk involved.
• Since times immemorial War has been the instrument of national policy by "other means".
• When nations fail to solve their problems with their neighbours by sitting together they are driven to the battle field.
• And on the battlefield it is only the winner who gains, for there is no prize for the runner-up in the war.
• Loyalty to the profession,devotion to the cause and innate stubbornness of character-all combined to make them do what they did for honour and glory.
• Only one objective before the armed forces of any country - Not to reason why;but do and die
• We honour the dead; they gave away their lives for the nation.We honour those who survived;they were no less determined to give away their lives for the Nation.Only no bullet was made for them.
• Will to win and will to prepare for winning.

Highly recommended book for every Indian. Your heart will swell with pride.

Reviewed by,

Shilpa Bhat Kaushik,

Author of the book - Extracts...From The Life - 12 Short Stories