Book Excerpt: ‘The Legacy of Captain Saurabh Kalia: Kargil’s First War Hero’ by Sreemati Sen & NK Kalia

The rustle of the newspaper hitting the porch had become the most important sound in the Kalia household. The aroma of brewing tea was no longer the first sign of morning. The ink on the newsprint was the first sight they beheld. Until they had scanned every column, their unease refused to subside.

That day, Vaibhav’s eyes raced across the front page. Suddenly his hands shook, spilling the hot tea all over his shirt. The burning liquid made him wince.

Mrs Kalia jumped up. ‘Stay there,’ she said, rushing to get a cloth. ‘I will get some water.’

Vaibhav gripped the chair, his knuckles white. ‘Mummy, I am fine,’ he managed, though his voice betrayed his turmoil.

The shift in Vaibhav’s mood hadn’t escaped his parents’ notice.

‘Tony?’ Robo prompted, her eyes searching his face.

Vaibhav hesitated. How could he tell his mother? Her health was fragile. What if the news sent her into a decline? But he also knew he couldn’t keep it from her. She would definitely see through any pretence.

Vaibhav met his father’s gaze, then turned to his mother. He took a breath, his hands trembling slightly. ‘Mummy... Papa...’ he began. ‘In The Indian Express... there is an article... about a missing army patrol...’ He paused, unable to continue. Robo’s hand flew to her mouth, her eyes widening in fear. ‘They have... they have mentioned Bhaiya’s name.’

Dr Kalia straightened, his face marked with worry. Robo carefully placed her teacup on the table, her hands surprisingly steady despite the inner chaos that threatened to wreak havoc. ‘But,’ she said, her voice calm but strained, ‘there has been no official word from the army!’‘We need to contact them, Tony,’ Dr Kalia said, rising abruptly. His tea sat untouched on the table, a witness to the interrupted morning.

The sudden shrill of the phone shattered the silence of the room. Vaibhav snatched it up. Dr Kalia and Mrs Kalia sat still, their expressions — a mixture of hope and fear. It could be anyone...!

Vaibhav hung up the phone and turned to face his parents. Their eyes were fixed on him. ‘That was Vibha Didi,’ he said. ‘Skardu radio has also reported a missing patrol. She... she was calling for news about Bhaiya.’ He paused to look at his father. ‘Papa, we have to go to the cantonment.’

Dr Kalia and Vaibhav hurried to the local Cantonment Office in Holta, Palampur, desperate for answers. The SSO on duty informed them that no official confirmation had come from Army HQ regarding the missing patrol. Seeing their distressed look, he offered a well-worn army adage— ‘Remember sir, in the army, no news is always good news.’ But that did little to assuage the fears of the family. The SSO promised to contact them immediately if any news arrived, but the fear in their hearts had only grown.

The Kalias returned home, the silence intensifying their fear.

Dr Kalia suddenly turned to Vaibhav. ‘Ashok,’ he said, ‘Call him. He might get us information.’ Vaibhav immediately dialled his father’s cousin, the assistant editor at The Tribune. Mr Sharma’s assurance that he would investigate offered some hope, but uncertainty loomed large.

The wait was excruciating. Each tick of the clock was a test of endurance. An hour seemed like an eternity. When the phone finally rang, their hearts leapt. But the news was devastating. Mr Sharma’s voice, heavy with sadness and regret, confirmed what they already feared. ‘Lieutenant Kalia and his patrol... missing. Confirmed.’

They collapsed into the sofa, drained of all strength. After a long, heavy moment, Mrs Kalia rose and left the room. She headed for the puja room, her sanctuary, her place of prayer, a place where she could find solace and some hope.

— Excerpted with permission from Penguin Random House