‘To the Peril of My Life’ by Shekhar Gupta: Steeped in military ethos

Decorated for gallantry with a Sena Medal, first-time author-bureaucrat-corporate honcho Shekhar Gupta isn’t the first civil services veteran who has proudly confessed to the positive impact his military stint had on his later career.

In fact, he is in distinguished company. Recall diplomat-author G Parthasarathy, a 1965 war veteran, who was our High Commissioner to Pakistan during the 1999 Kargil War. The late Shekhar Dutt, our ex-Deputy NSA, Defence Secretary and Governor of Chhattisgarh, was a Sena Medal gallantry awardee of the 1971 war; alongside him is SS Bloeria, former Chief Secretary of J&K, also a JAK Rifles braveheart of the 1971 war.

Author Shekhar, it appears, follows the stringent advice of Nobel laureate Ernest Hemingway: “Write clear and hard about what hurts.” In this must-read book, Shekhar passes muster, facing manifold challenges of grit, courage, head, heart and tact.

Non-adherence to chronology is a minor irritant but doesn’t take away from a riveting alpine rescue act in the frozen Gurez valley, J&K.

It is peak winter in 1992 and Razdan Pass, the valley’s sole access to Kashmir, is snowed in, permitting only ‘leave’ parties to cross the 11,672 feet pass with great care. Caught in a blizzard, 12 BSF jawans get trapped. Shekhar is detailed to rescue them. He survives an avalanche and leads his disoriented men to reach the near-frozen BSF jawans, who murmur: “Dogras ne humein bacha liya.” Shekhar and his men carry the incapacitated jawans back to safety.

The author then narrates a trans-LoC raid to successfully capture five JKLF terrorists, using brain and brawn to execute his mission. A quixotic incident involving the firm yet tactful handling of a Gujjar dera in LoC environs is narrated hereafter. He assumes orders where none exist, and succeeds.

The book contains a recall of his growing-up years in Bilaspur, HP; his yen for academics (Masters in economics and an MBA) and his family bonding. His was a reluctant entry into the Army, but once there, he performed brilliantly during his training and thereafter. He describes how he negotiates social quicksand to assist his ‘buddy’ in getting married to a girl of his choice.

Overall, his description of field and garrison soldiering provides enchanting insights into the bonding and solidarity that make the military great. He emphasises that women in the military find unqualified respect in the continuum of the soldiering fraternity.

The book also describes his training period at the Academy and how he does well enough to come into the ‘Super Block’. This allows him to choose his commissioning regiment.

This book is a primer on the importance of military ethics in career choices. However, the Hemingway advice needs recall.

For one, the book cover displays a US soldier, which was avoidable. Identifying Gen K Sundarji wrongly as the Northern Army Commander (he was the Western Army Commander) hurts too. During a holiday visit to Gurez, the officer had learnt of Shekhar’s rescue act and ensured the Sena Medal for him.

In the book, Shekhar identifies himself as the ‘Master of his fate and the Captain of his soul’. More power to his pen.