Book ‘Wings of Valour’ released at DPS Jalandhar

The book 'Wings of Valour' by author Swapnil Pandey was released at Delhi Public School, Jalandhar, in a warm and engaging ceremony that celebrated the courage, dedication and sacrifice of the Indian Air Force.

The event was marked by enthusiastic participation from students and guests and aimed to honour the Indian Air Force through the powerful stories shared in the book, offering the audience a thoughtful perspective on the lives of unsung heroes.

The occasion was graced by Maj Gen Ashish Bhardwaj and Kavita Bhardwaj, Air Commodore Brijesh Paul (Air Officer Commanding), Dr Kanchan Paul, author Swapnil Pandey, the school's Pro Vice Chairman Thakur Arun Singh and Vasudha Thakur, Gurjot Kaur (member, Managing Committee of Delhi Public School Society), Col AK Mani, Dr Sunil Sharma, Dr Dimple Sharma, Irwin Khanna, motivational speaker Surendra Seth, and Principal DPS Ritu Kaul.

The programme began with the chanting of shlokas and ceremonial lamp lighting, followed by the presentation of saplings to the guests. A heartfelt rendition of the Air Force Song by school students added a patriotic spirit to the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, Maj Gen Ashish Bhardwaj said, "You cannot be peaceful unless you are capable of great violence. If you're not capable of violence, you're not peaceful, you're harmless. Peace is when you have the ability for violence but choose not to use it." He drew a distinction between real-life and reel-life heroes, observing that the real ones are often remembered through biographies rather than films.

Air Commodore Brijesh Paul appreciated Swapnil Pandey's work, stating that her books highlight how wars were truly won by unsung heroes, whose stories are brought to life through the dedication of authors like her.

In her address, author Swapnil Pandey shared the inspiration behind Wings of Valour, her research journey, and the indomitable spirit of the Indian Air Force. She stressed the importance of reading in the digital age and urged the audience to remember and honour the sacrifices of the armed forces.