Deepak Surana is a remarkable individual with a deep-rooted passion for the Indian armed forces. His journey towards this passion began during his schooling years at Bishop Cotton Boys School in Bangalore, where he developed a keen interest in the valor and sacrifices made by soldiers. This interest only grew stronger as he pursued his B.B.A degree at SJCC in Bangalore.
His commitment to honoring the armed forces led him to engage closely with war veterans and families of martyrs, forging personal connections and gaining insights into their experiences. This dedication culminated in his authorship of "The Shershah of Kargil," a poignant biography chronicling the life of the late Captain Vikram Batra, a hero of the Kargil war.
Deepak's contributions didn't stop there. He played a pivotal role in the making of the movie "Shershaah," providing valuable input and support to ensure the accurate portrayal of Captain Vikram Batra's story. His name featured prominently in the movie's starting credits, a testament to his significant contributions.
Continuing his mission to educate and inspire others about the Indian armed forces, Deepak released his latest book, "The Kargil Story: Tales of Valour and Sacrifice from the Summer of 1999." This book offers a comprehensive account of the Kargil war, shedding light on the bravery and sacrifices of the soldiers who fought on the front lines.
Despite his busy schedule working in his family business in Bangalore, Deepak remains deeply committed to his cause. He dedicates much of his leisure time to spreading awareness about the armed forces through various means, whether it's through writing, speaking engagements, or community outreach efforts.
Deepak Surana's unwavering dedication to honoring the armed forces and preserving their stories of bravery and sacrifice serves as an inspiration to all. Through his work, he continues to pay tribute to the heroes who selflessly defend our nation's freedom.
1. Can you tell us about your inspiration behind writing "The Kargil Story: Tales of Valour and Sacrifice from the Summer of 1999"? What motivated you to delve into this particular subject matter?
>When I was researching for my first book, THE SHERSHAH OF KARGIL the authorised biography of Capt. Vikram Batra, PVC, I came across the names of numerous other heroes who fought for us during the Kargil war. Since I had never read a book on Kargil which covered the human emotions of soldiers before, during and after the war, I decided to write such a book myself as an ode to our Kargil victors. Also, since I grew up in the ‘Kargil Era’, stories of sacrifice from that war have always been close to my heart. This led to, THE KARGIL STORY- a book which chronicles five major battles fought during the Kargil war. Many acts of unsung heroism, which have never been covered before, can be found in the book.
2. The Kargil War holds significant historical importance for India. What aspects of this conflict did you find most compelling to explore in your book?
>Never before in military history has a war been fought at such heights for more than a period of two months. The very fact that our army overcame rough terrain, inclement weather and a well entrenched enemy makes the victory at Kargil a very significant part of our history. In the 90’s India was plagued with unstable governments, economic crisis and slow development. Hence the valour of our soldiers in the Kargil war gave us a reason to cheer. Through my book, THE KARGIL STORY, my aim was to familiarize the common Indian citizen to the challenges and difficulties our army faced to win back the Kargil heights
3. Your book highlights the bravery and sacrifices of Indian Army heroes during the Kargil War. Could you share with us one of the most poignant or inspiring stories of courage that you came across while researching for this book?
>Each act of bravery by our soldiers is close to my heart. It’s very hard for me to pick one. However, the bravery of Capt. Vikram Batra, Capt. Manoj Pandey, Capt. Anuj Nayyar, Lt. Kenguruse, Lt. Thapar, Maj. Gupta, Subedar Bhanwar Lal, Havaldar Balwan Singh and Rifleman Syam Singh inspire me among others. These men were made of different DNA. Havaldar Balwan of 17th JAT battalion kept getting shot by the enemy sniper but he never stopped shouting the war cry, ‘JAT BALWAN, JAI BHAGWAN.’ Now that’s very inspiring.
4. In your book, you mention the motivation behind a young officer successfully leading his Rajput men to capture Tololing. Could you elaborate on the strategies or leadership qualities that played a crucial role in motivating these brave soldiers?
>That particular incident you are asking about pertains to Maj. Mohit Saxena of 2nd Rajputana Rifles and how he motivated his company of Rajput troops to charge ahead against all odds. Young officers leading from the front is what makes the Indian army stand apart from others. During every assault young platoon and company commanders would literally lead from the front. Be it lobbing grenades in enemy bunkers, scaling vertical cliffs or charging through a hail of bullets, our young leaders never let their men down. Seeing them fight, the entire fighting column would charge ahead with renewed spirit and josh.
5. One of the anecdotes you mentioned involves an officer from Nagaland removing his boots at an altitude of 16,000 feet. Could you shed some light on the significance of this action and the challenges faced by soldiers at such extreme altitudes?
>When the battle of Lone Hill was going out of our hands, Lt. Nikezhakuo Kenguruse, a brave officer from Nagaland with just six months of service, removed his boots to get better grip on the vertical rockface. Mind you it was freezing cold and the oxygen levels were low. Looking at him, his Rajputana troops followed suit and climbed the peak to totally surprise the enemy. Lt. Kenguruse was killed but the battle was won! Now that’s the Indian Army! An officer from the North-East could singlehandedly inspire the Rajputana men by his bravery.
6. The role of 'the army wife' is highlighted in your book. Can you discuss the importance of the support system provided by the families of soldiers during wartime, and how it contributes to the success on the battlefield?
>The ‘army wife’ is the truly the backbone of the Indian Amry. Be it at war or at peace they do their duties unconditionally. It is because of their strength and fortitude that our heroes can guard our borders without worrying about their homes.
7. Your book provides insights into five crucial battles during the Kargil War. Can you share any lesser-known facts or anecdotes from these battles that readers might find particularly intriguing?
>The way mountain peaks were given codenames, how an army doctor survived enemy shelling? Which masterstroke led to the capture or Tiger Hill? Why Point 4875 was one of the toughest battles fought? Why were the songs from the movie Border played before assaults? These are a few intriguing aspects which are covered in the book.
8. How did you go about gathering firsthand accounts and anecdotes from the heroes who participated in the Kargil War? Were there any challenges or unique experiences you encountered during this process?
>I have always believed in Primary research. Wherever possible I have met the heroes personally or have interviewed them over the phone. This has ensured that all the battle accounts I have written are fairly accurate. Many challenges were face but they paled in comparison to the love and support I received from the Indian Army. I am lucky to have met so many heroes and veer families during the course of my research. Each interaction has been truly special and has given me memories for a lifetime.
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