Contents :
1. Colonel Mahip Chadha : An introduction
2. SOLJER SOLJER : A general overview
3. Significance of the title 4. Major Characters 5. Plot Construction 6. SOLJER SOLJER : An
emotional document of Indian
Army
Chapter 1
Colonel Mahip Chadha : An
introduction
Colonel Mahip Chadha is a retired army officer who
lives in New Delhi, India. A graduate of the Indian
Military Academy, Col Chadha served in the Indian
Army for nearly 34 years. He was commissioned in the
Third Gorkha Rifleshis inspiration for the novel. Colonel Chadha is the author of GRIT GUTS and
GALLANTRY-which motivates the youth of India to
consider the Army as a viable career option. This is a
motivational book and serves to act as a much needed
career counseling requirement, for students of classes 9
to 12, so that they can consider the Armed Forces of
India as a viable career. It also assists children in the
National Cadet Corps to understand the Army better.
Other Ranks seeking a commission will also benefit
from it!
He has now published the sequel-the Second Edition,
encompassing the three services,wherin he has includes
all the information required by a student, boy or girl to
join the defence services with almost 180 pictures
designed to motivate the children. Many people write
their autobiographies to boast about their achievements,
or to show others in poor light, or to jot down their
memoirs for posterity to read, but here the authors aim is to make the Indian youth aware of the Defense Forces
the rank structure, the selection process, the hardships the soldiers endure, excruciating physical training and
adherence to rules and regulations along with a mix of
masti and adventure - and encourage the youth to join
the Services where the uniform and the insignia of a
particular regiment or battalion has a deep meaning and
where he can learn three basic values NAAM,NAMAK and NISHAAN!.
One has to read only the first few pages when one
gets tempted to read the book in one go and this is
because of the very humorous style of narrating the
simplest and most ordinary of events in his life and
career.
He has now started a new helpline for young first
time authors under the banner of YS Books
International. The website for this company can be found
at : ysbooksinternational.com
This book reminds Indian youth about the dignified,
disciplined life in uniform. And no, this isn't your
archetypal, preachy guidebook. Instead, read a no-holds-
barred, humour-tinged take on life in the Army. This
book describes the writers journey through the National Defence Academy and the Indian Military Academy.
Colonel Chadha dispels many myths surrounding life in
the armed forces to provide students on the threshold of
their careers an unadulterated view of what to expect in
the army.
He also wrote two more novels -SOLJER SOLJER
in which he describes the tough but rewarding life in the
infantry. His book SOLJER SOLJER is a story based on
an imaginary infantry battalion of the Third Gorkha
Rifles - the Sixth battalion. The composition, training,
camaraderie, and duties in all the other infantry
battalions of our Army are almost the same except that
certain customs undergo a change as they adapt to the
ethnicity of the troops in that Regiment. So the visible
changes would be the manner of the battle cry,
salutation, greeting, decorum in festivity with the troops,
or ceremonials in the Officer's Mess. There is no
difference in the dogged determination or the ferocity in
the will of troops of these troops in completing any
mission allotted to their battalions! The author has very
clearly brought out the joys of the simple infantry life
and the deeply embedded love, affections and stoic
ethnic involvement that officers enjoy with their men.
This is brotherhood in its purest form.
.He also authored GIN and LIME WHISKEY or
WINE? a spotlight on how veterans find themselves very uneasy when they hang up their uniform and boots
but continue with their zest for quality life by ignoring
their twilight years, failing health and take umbrage by
using humour as a new weapon against Alzheimers or dementia! This is also how they get over loneliness
waiting in the twilight zone!
Asked about why he has only written about the
defence forces-Colonel Chadha replies with a twinkle in
his eyes-A common Indian citizen has little or no idea of
the Indian Armed Forces, he says .Its important that I give readers an inside look at what its truly like to be a soldier in the Indian infantry, and the brotherhood and
sacrifice involved.
No other Army is as diverse in nature, as the Indian
Army which has its infantry battalions, considered the
teeth of the battle; comprising of twenty three ethnic
groups each with its own traditions, religious beliefs,
values and historysome having been raised as far back as the seventeenth century or amalgamated from the
erstwhile armies of princely states! However, their
training, goals and objectives are the same and the
Indian Army, an efficient machine; continues to be the
most secular armies in the world in which Sikh, Muslim,
Hindu, Christian and some with tribal beliefs fight side
by side against the aggressor!
It is ironic, that Pakistan chose one of the
Commanding officersof The Third Gorkha Rifles, Sir
Douglas Gracey, hero of the Admin Box in the Burma
Campaign, to be its first Commander in Chief! Colonel
Mahip Chadha also served in General Graceys battalion-The Second Battalion The Third Gorkha Rifles.
Colonel Chadha was married to Kiran ,who passed
away tragically in April 2010.
They have two daughters-Ganiv the elder, is married
to Inderjit and has one son Jaskirat; while Jyotan lives in
Australia with her husband Daljit and two sons Jaskaran
and Jaskabir.
Mahip lives with his mother in law Mrs Gurdip Sethi
who actually encouraged him to write!
Chapter 2
SOLJER SOLJER : A General
Overview
If somebody says that he is not afraid of death, then either he is lying or is a Gurkha. Field Marshal Sam Maneckshaw.
Colonel Mahip Chadha , has presented a never
before heard account of the travails and hardships
experienced cheerfully by the soldiers of his Gorkha
battalion --which is just like any battalion except for
certain peculiarities in handling the troops and adherence
to customs and traditions linked to the ethnicity of the
troops.
Humor and a rigid adherence to the prevailing rules
and regulations, is a unique phenomenon followed to the
letter in the Indian Army; which follows the perfect
example of secularism and unity in diversity It is this
principle which endears officers of any outfit to link
themselves with the traditions of their troops throughout
their lives --during their service and during retirement.
Colonel Mahip Chadha transports the reader to a
world where the Commanding Officer is a veritable God
,who holds the lives of 800 men in his hands - whom he
loves like his own children, punishes them when they err
like a parent and mourns with them when they suffer!
Many troops of the West, would find it difficult to
adapt to our condition of service! There are no air
conditioned barracks or offices in the desert or the
jungles and mountainous terrain. Neither are there any
heating arrangements for the troops in high altitude --just
a kerosene burner to be used in a barrel like apparatus
called a bukhari! There are regions where the highest
rainfall has been recorded--leeches, scorpions, snakes
and others like the dim dam flies which penetrate
mosquito nets are our companions! Choppers are rarely
used only for senior commanders for reconnaissance or
emergent requirements.
Heat dust, cold, rain, riverine terrain and the moist
jungles of the Eastern regions are our hazards--but the
soldiers of the INDIAN ARMY adapt and become adept
in consonance with the challenges of nature!
SOLJER SOLJER combines compelling fiction with
the actualities of life in the Indian Armed Forces,
centering on the tale of a father and son who serve in the
same battalion, though at different periods in the Sixth
Battalion The Third Gorkha Rifles. Certain events
threaten to separate them forever. Weaving in
memorable characters and events from his past, the
author highlights both the joys and hardships of military
life.
The story is of Brigadier Surinder Singh Sahni and
his son Jaskaran. Brigadier Sahni resigns from the Army
due to domestic issues while his son enjoys a brief
courtship and very modern marriage thanks to
considerate parents. Brigadier Sahni has to face terms
with reality when he reads about the Indian POWs and
later when his son is declared missing believed killed
after a skirmish with militants from POK. His misery is
compounded when his daughter in law has to suffer
further privations, till she decides to fight the
establishment by becoming a lawyer. The sacrifices
made by the cowherds in rescuing Jaskaran are poignant
and noble. The book has a sprinkling of humour and the
reader laughs at the follies of life. Mahip has told his
story as an infantry officer would - straight, to the point
and without beating about the bush and this makes
enjoyable reading!
Chapter 3
Significance of the title
SOLJER SOLJER can be remembered for its
phonetic title. Instead of using the exact word soldier, Col. Chadha opts for the use of the pronounced word
SOLJER! This is because the word soldier is pronounced as SOLJER. And Col. Chadha keeps it that way itself, to attract attention to the book! The basic
responsibility of the title of any book is to drag the
readers attention towards it which has definitely been achieved.
SOLJER SOLJER is a book about the infantry. Unfortunately, in our country, books related to defense
contain difficult jargon and use terms which the reader
can neither understand nor co relate with and therefore
cannot enjoy such books!
Many of such books do not connect with civilians,
especially those who do not have even the faintest idea
of life in the defense forces!
SOLJER SOLJER has actually been written with the idea to make this connect. SOLJER SOLJER lightens the subject of the book. It is not only catchy but
also creates curiosity. Besides all these, the title speaks
the language of Young India. And with this, the author
succeeds in his motive of telling his story. Thus
SOLJER SOLJER proves to be a successful title and Col. Mahip Chadha manages to tell you the story making
you laugh and cry or feel contempt for our politicians
Chapter 4
Major Characters
SOLJER SOLJER is the saga of a soldier, his valour
and his dignity interwoven with his emotions. Colonel
Chadha has sketched the characters in a very lively way.
Not only they deliver the very just account of being our
guardians, but there is a realization that they are human,
have families who miss them and their emotional angle
get unveiled in the book.
Brigadier Surinder Sahni
Brigadier Surinder Sahni is one of the four
protagonists of the book. He is a straightforward man.
There are more than one incident in the book when we
come across the different phases of his personality. He is
not only a strict commander but also an affectionate
leader. He is a strategist, an efficient commander and a
man on whom his seniors can depend. We also come
across the humourous side of Surinder Sahni when he
directs his soldiers to complete a task where they try to
outsmart him but are caught red-handed. [pg.85]
We also come across the strict nature of Surinder
Sahni when his favourite junior commits a mistake and
is confronted by him. But here we also witness the
calmness of Surinder when he handles the situations
without losing his wits Sahib, you are right hand. If I order my right hand to break a morsel of food and put it
in my mouth, but the hand disobeys and shoves the spicy
food in my nostril then I wouldnt do anything with this hand it needs to be severed and I should learn to use my left hand. [pg.78] He does not try to ignore the issue of the JCOs misbehavior but tackles the matter firmly on the spot.
Besides being a soldier with a tough attitude,
Surinder Sahni is also a loving husband and a caring
father. There are several instances where he not only
fulfills his duty towards the nation but also meets his
responsibilities as a son, husband and a father
equivalently. These qualities altogether make him a very
lovable hero.
Preeti Sahni
Preeti Sahni is the second protagonist of the book.
She is the wife of Surinder Sahni. She is a very
understanding and mature lady. She not only joins her
hands with her husbands professional commitments but also proves to be his complementary counterpart in his
domestic life. Besides being the devoted wife of a
courageous soldier, she is also a loving mother and a
social person. Her involvements in the betterment of her
surroundings also indicate her delicacy towards the
society. Her motherly affection also extends towards her
husbands juniors. Preeti has also been sketched as a very amiable lady.
The way she adjusts in the army life of her husband is
very notable. It is not that easy for a girl who has been
brought up in a civilian background, to adjust the quickly
to the nuances of life of army. But, Preeti proves herself
the true soul-mate of her husband and walks along with
him on the every road of life, with the desired decorum.
Jaskaran Sahni and Tanveer Sahni
Jaskaran Sahni alias Jas is the third protagonist of the
book. He is the son of Surinder Sahni and Preeti Sahni.
He has been sketched as the exact replica of his father,
whether in the courage, the discipline, the presence of
mind or his tactical genius. His charming nature adds
grace in his personality. He is a loving son, a great
soldier, a caring husband and an affectionate father. He
is that character of the book that goes through the most
traumatic situations but overcomes them with his
courage.
Tanveer Sahni is the wife of Jaskaran Sahni. She
adds colour to the story. Her accidental meeting with
Jaskaran gives the book a romantic flavor. Later on,
when she marries Jaskaran, an amiable phase of her
bubbly nature is exposed. She gives the example of
extreme courage when Jaskaran is considered dead. Not
only does she console herself but also takes care of Jass parents who treat her as their own daughter> At one
stage Surinder even thinks of her re marriage for he
knows how hard it is for a young widow, but does not
have the courage to ascertain Tanveers views! . Here Col. Chadha has introduced that part of Indian women
which is known as Shakti. Tanveer takes the charge of the care of her family, pursues her studies, becomes a
lawyer and looks after her son. And she does all these
things after losing that person whom she loved the most.
Here Tanveer has been sketched as the wife of a true
soldier. This is the moral fiber Army wives are expected
to possess!
Chapter 5
Plot Construction
One thing which makes SOLJER SOLJER out of
the crowd is its plot structure. Colonel Chadha has
intriguingly woven each and every concern of a soldier
and his family be it their social concern or patriotism for the country. Reading the book actually catalyzes the
nerves to send a thrilling sensation directly through the
spine.
The plot of SOLJER SOLJER also deals with several social and political issues which deserve separate
elucidation
Wedding Ceremony
Col. Chadha through his character Surinder Sahni
suggests several changes in the wedding ceremony:
1. Lunch should be at a venue to be decided at the discretion of the brides family. Refreshments were not required because there was no need.
2. Flowers would not be showered on the bridal couple, after the fourth phera in the presence of
the holy Guru Granth sahib.
3. During the pheras, the bride would walk without any escort.
4. There would be no speeches, lectures or recital of poems.
5. The groom would not have the ritualistic turmeric bath.
6. There would be a joint reception and guests from both sides would attend. Expenses would be
shared.
- [pg.17] Thus Col. Chadha suggests an alternative for the big
fat Indian weddings which are more or less planned to
upset the financial status of the brides family. Colonel Chadha also throws light on the general
gender discriminative mentality of Indian society so much excitement over a boy seemed warranted on the contrary she would have meekly informed him in a
hushed tone that it was a girl! Typical Indian enthusiasm
for a male child. He would have been equally happy if it had been a daughter [pg.50]
Colonel Chadha also tells an anecdote as a satire on
the political structure of India I was in Patna once an as I sat in a rickshaw, the
rickshaw puller spoke about politics to another
colleague of his who had hailed him. I asked if the
people in Bihar were politically conscious and the
rickshaw wala told me politics was in blood but the confusion occurred because there too many parties!
When asked who he will vote for, he replied I will vote for the Congress because they are full upto their
throat, others will start from the stomach. [pg.81] Colonel Chadha recalls the forgotten soldiers of
1971. He also questions the Governmental bodies for
their coldness towards their own soldiers who sacrificed
their lives for the country. The pathetic account of Mrs.
Kanwal Jit Sandhu is enough to bring tears in anybodys eyes In army parlance, these valiant soldiers had been written off! That night Surinder couldnt sleep. He woke up shuddering in a sweat thinking of the shoddy
treatment these poor guys would be receiving at the
hands of the Pakistanis. If some were dead were they thrown into an unmarked grave forgotten for posterity
except to their loved ones? Why was the Government of
India sleeping over this issue? WHY WOULD A
SOLDIER FIGHT IF NO ONE WANTED TO RECOVER
HIM FROM THE CLUTCHES OF THE ENEMY OR AT
LEAST RECLAIM HIS BODY AND CREMATE OR
BURY HIM WITH DUE RESPECT? [pg.160] Colonel Chadha makes a blunt confrontation Was
all the money in Swiss banks that of the political parties?
Was that the reason why no serious attempt was being
made to recover it? Why was the judiciary not cleaning
up their act why had a tainted Judge been appointed the Chief Justice of a state? Why were jail birds having a
great time? Why was the stock Market in the hands of
unscrupulous elements? [pg.161] The most pathetic part of the book comes when there
is deep rooted corruption in the allotment of land and
petrol pump of the martyrs widows is unraveled Sardarji, the ten acres of land which has been allotted to you is divided in eleven parts and each has a land
mafia sitting on it. Please leave if you value your
lives.. So, they have allotted you this petrol pump. They
have reserved it for our martyrs. You are the fifth
allottee. It helps them get headlines in the newspaper
and television and that is the end of the story. [pg.231] Colonel Chadha has been very candid in his thoughts
and views. Besides, having the defense background, his
disciplined and decision making attitude reflects in the
plot of SOLJER SOLJER and that is what makes it unique.
Undoubtedly, the plot and structure of the book are
unbeatable but the craft and format also deserves
appreciation. The book starts with a Dedication and then the Introduction to the flower Narcissus/Nargis. Every chapter of the books starts with an image of the
Nargis flower which adorns many a grave in the state of
Jammu and Kashmir where a proxy was is being fought.
After the introduction, there is A Tribute to a Gorkha, a beautiful poem written by Maj. Gen. W. Ross Stewart. The poem beautifully defines the nature and
nurture of a Gorkha which gives the readers a fine idea
of what they are going to read.
The crafting makes the book a very artistic read.
Chapter 6
SOLJER SOLJER : An emotional
document of Indian Army
Soljer Soljer stirs the soul of the readers. Right
from the start, it travels through each and every phase of
a soldiers life appointment, transfers, promotions, marriage, children, retirement, hardships and much
more.
It unfolds those phases which have been unknown to
the civilians of our country. Though it has been
categorized as fiction, it could be taken as a documented
account of the life of an Indian soldier because each and
every person could relate to the plot and characters and
peep into defense life.
What makes Soljer Soljer best among all defence books is it lacks manipulation. Colonel Mahip Singh
Chadha has been very careful in sketching the accounts,
the incidents and all its details which emerge as a book
of a soldiers life- dipped deep into emotions and which pokes the readers in the ribs and commands them to
wake up from their slumber
I dont think anybody in our country really
understands your sacrifices, because soldiers die and
fade away only their widows, parents or children
weep for them nobody else has time to cry for you. And our country cares nothing for you or they
would have raised hell for our prisoners of war
languishing in Pakistani jails or for the soldiers who
were mutilated by the Pakis or that matter those who
fell in Kargil.
After all a politician can give ten times the
compensation to the hooch tragedy but fails to
acknowledge the sacrifices of the countrys soldiers it does not provide them political mileage!
Someday, they will be shaken from their slumber
and account for their misdeeds!
~ A Branwyn Book Review Project ~
A book review by Branwyn