Page 14 - Leadership in the Indian Army

Foreword

Without apologising for beginning with a rather clichéd phrase, because it is
true, I would like to say that it is a pleasure and a privilege to write this. A
pleasure, as the author is one whose talent and friendship I cherish. A
privilege, as the motives impelling the book are laudable.

A trifle too often our heroes tend to be men in white, whereas the ones in
fatigues are all but ignored. The soldier’s exploits are expected to be
confined to the battlefield; similarly his honours. Yet written history is,
unfortunately, rarely accurate, and the contributions of such men towards
nation-building are often conveniently glossed over. Moreover, the soldier
is confined to a stereotype whose human face is often to be seen only in

mess-hall lore, and never outside military circles.
Setting right the historical perspective, analysing qualities that give these
men the right to be honoured, both for their leadership and their vision,
giving credit where it is due and, most of all, bringing out the human face
behind the military façade is what the author has succeeded in doing here.
This is important as, without knowledge of the truth, history degenerates
into a story with little significance for those who seek to better the future

from the lessons of the past.
Nor does the task seem to have been an easy one. To gather information
traditionally never archived is a daunting task. It involves identifying,
locating, contacting and interviewing people scattered all over the nation, or
even the world. Then, of course, lies the equally, if not more, daunting task
of verification and cross-verification. A painstaking process and a long one!

In this particular case, all of five years!
I sincerely hope that this book will prove invaluable to academics and to
the average Indian who seeks to serve his motherland better by acquainting
himself with unknown facts and facets of those who have shaped her
history. Moreover, if it inspires the youth of the nation to follow the