EKLAVYA

The necessity for this book arises from the circumstance that while Indians largely eulogize their soldiery, they know little about them, about their value system, way of life, achievements, concerns, and how they do what they have successfully done since independence... despite challenges from the enemy, and ironically with a system that recurrently behaves with wily subterfuge, generating avoidable operational difficulties. What the citizen misses amidst the ceremonial military glamour, are the limitations despite which the soldiery delivers, always and every time. India's Soldier is no modern-day archer Arjun, as people imagine, but more an Eklavya, his self-taught rival, on target every time, despite being deprived of his Right thumb, critical for shooting arrows. Unlike Eklavya, our military's handicap is fortunately reversible. It would be in national interest to remedy matters through corrective reforms, to optimize it's potential. Identification of the symptoms ailing our system is essential for such change; hence this book. If you are interested in the military, READ IT. It covers aspects that lie in the innermost strata of a soldier's mind. As the man behind the Gun is more important than the gun, its axiomatic that we get to know him better, and deal with HIS concerns speedily. Gift it to friends preparing for a career in uniform; it covers what recruitment posters don't. Give it away as prize in school competitions, to help children understand THEIR military better, and offer them real, valorous role models. Corporate HR must read it to understand the immense potential and pool of ex-servicemen available for hiring, and for those who already have them on their rolls, it'd enhance their appreciation of the dynamic dedicated disciplined go getter they have on board.