There are times when words simply flow.. Writing in such moments of extreme lucidity is sheer pleasure..This happened to me last evening. The news that triggered this was one of joy but tinged with a great deal of sadness – and lots of anger too.
This is the forgotten story of Kargil’s first hero and a tireless fight for justice. This is the sad tale of Captain Saurabh Kalia. Some of you may be too young to remember the name and it may fail to ring any bells at all. But the story of …

Today is the 104th birth anniversary of Sardar Bhagat Singh Shaheed – a man who truly became a legend in his own lifetime. His story must be familiar to almost all of you. Many of you will also remember his crime – shooting a police officer in response to the “lathi charge” on a gathering that resulted in the death of Punjab Kesri, Lala Lajpat Rai. But few may know that patriotism and participation in the freedom struggle ran in the family. His uncles as well as his father were members …

Dear friends, some of you will remember the conversation I had a few days back with the proud parents of Captain Saurabh Kalia, Kargil’s first war hero – who has been all but forgotten by the “official” media and the government machinery. I sent an email to Dr Kalia after the call requesting details of his efforts to get justice and offering whatever little help I can..In response, I received this very moving email written by him. I sought his permission to reproduce it on the blog. He kindly agreed…The …

From “Remember Jatindra Nath Das?” by Sh Balbir K Punj (emphasis added):
On September 13, 1929, a youth from Bengal gave up his life in a prison of Lahore fasting for 63 days. He literally fasted unto death in Gandhian fashion though Mahatma Gandhi himself never touched that apogee despite undertaking 17 fasts unto death in his lifetime.
…does any Congressman remember Jatindra Nath Das (1904-1929), who adopted the Gandhian instrument of fast unto death and adhered to it steadfastly unto his last? Of millions in the country who swore by Gandhism, Jatin …

Just spoke to the brave parents of Captain Saurabh Kalia, Kargil’s first war hero…It was a truly moving and humbling experience..
As many of you would know,
On May 15, Lt Kalia along with five jawans – Sepoys Arjun Ram, Bhanwar Lal Bagaria, Bhika Ram, Moola Ram and Naresh Singh – had gone for a routine patrol of the Bajrang Post in the Kaksar sector when their patrol was captured by the enemy.
They were in their captivity for over twenty-two days and subjected to unprecedented brutal torture as evident from their bodies …

Most of us brought up in an education system that does little to celebrate our national heroes can be forgiven for forgetting that today is the death anniversary of one of the most extraordinary characters in our freedom movement: Khudiram Bose.
Khudiram Bose’s story is all the more remarkable because of his age. When put to the gallows, he was barely an adult and was probably one of the youngest martyrs of the movement. His execution fired the youth in Bengal had repercussions throughout British India. Khudiram’s “crime” was his attempt …

71 years ago on this date, Udham Singh was hanged to death in Pentonville Prison in UK.
He was hanged for the assasination of Michael O’Dwyer, ex Governer of Punjab and the man Udham Singh held responsible for the Jallianwala Bagh massacre..
It is said that the mass killing in Jallianwala Bagh deeply affected Udham Singh “…and proved a turning point in his life” After a bath in the sacred sarovar at Golden Temple,”Udham Singh took a silent vow and solemn pledge in front of the Golden Temple to wreak a …

Dear Friends, on the occasion of Kargil Vijay Diwas, it is my great pleasure to formally release “Saluting Our Heroes: The Param Virs of Bharat”
In India, you can order the book via Pothi.com by clicking on this link
All proceeds from the sale of this book will go towards supporting my various political initiatives, including outreach events, workshops and meetings (all expenses and funds will be publicly declared; as an example, pl see some details here).
Outside India, I would suggest you order a pdf copy by making a modest contribution here (The …

I am thankful to Ram and Smita for this promo snippet..Without their infectious energy and enthusiasm, this would not have happened…Thanks Ram, Smita..

** CAUTION: Long Post ***
My series on “Saluting our Heroes” will remain incomplete without the inspiring and extraordinary acts of the “Param Veer”s of Kargil.  As I wrote on the occassion of Kargil Vijay Diwas, the conflict in Kargil involved the largest peace-time mobilisation of Indian troops of which 20,000 were believed to have been involved in actual operations in the harsh and inhospitable terrain.  More than 500 of our bravest lost their lives on this punishing battlefield, defending every inch of our territory. Two amongst these were Captain Manoj …