I am not brave. I find war stories deeply disturbing. More so when it is too close to home. After visiting Saurabh Kalia’s museum, meeting his parents, his brother and sister-in-law, and going to his memorial in Palampur last year, I was even more apprehensive about reading the book. I did not know if I would have the heart to withstand the horror or the untimely demise of such a young soul. It is one thing to read the short note on the memorial and another to read a full-fledged book.

But then Sreemati Sen is one author who writes with her heart. Even her posts on social media reflect her humaneness and kindness and do not embellish them for eyeballs.

So I decided to read, and read I did.

One of the most balanced books ever written, despite the tragedy. The authors have not sugarcoated his life, nor have they presented a terribly bleak picture. The father and author duo have brought his life into sharp focus. His love for the Dhauladhar mountains, his love for his parents and brothers, his friendship, and his life in the small town of Palampur lay the foundation for knowing the boy who is our hero.  He has such a regular childhood, filled with love and small-town adventure.

Close to the heels of reading this book, I also watched another Kargil War story called Safed Sagar. The sheer duplicity of our neighbouring country and their misadventure cost them dear, but the initial havoc they caused to our country and the brave soldiers is unimaginable. While watching the series that shows our Air Force bravehearts, Saurabh and his boys were also in my mind, particularly when I was seeing the unforgiving Himalayan range.

There are gaps in the story. It is but natural. The young man isn’t there, and many of the information are gathered from what could have transpired, but to lose his life in the face of such atrocities and in such a harsh environment is something very difficult to wrap your head around. I also wish there was someone more senior to him to take charge. He was so fresh from IMA, and this first posting was a bit too much for a young man like him. My heart goes out to his younger brother too, who had to shoulder the responsibility of identifying the body and being strong for his parents. He grew up all too fast.

I felt my eyes go moist as I read how he was brought back home and the whole town came to bid him farewell. My heart went out to his family, friends, and the townspeople.

After reading this book and watching the movie Uri, I too feel like asking, in the lines of the iconic dialogue from Sholay, “yeh Palampur waale apni beta and beti ko kya khilate hain?”  They raise such patriotic, brave souls. We have Capt. Saurabh Kalia, Capt. Vikram Batra,  and Major Sudhir Kumar Walia. All heroes in their own right.   Indeed, the town is a land of bravehearts.

Kudos to the authors for keeping the language simple and authentic. The banter between brothers and the camaraderie shared among friends were the highlights of the book. I loved the way the townspeople showed their appreciation for their heroes.

22 is not an age to die, but then Saurabh Kalia lives on, even more so after reading the poignantly written book by Sreemati and Senior Kalia.

This blog is sprinting its way to the finish line with Piyush’s Plotters as part of The Blogchatter Half Marathon!