General VK Singh served in the Indian Army for forty-two years, retiring as Chief of Army Staff on 31 May 2012. His distinguished career saw him on the front lines of combat—in the Indo-Pak War of 1971 which led to the creation of Bangladesh, and in Sri Lanka as part of the Indian Peace Keeping Force. Considered one of the world’s foremost experts in counter-insurgency operations, he is also known for the principled stand he took on many issues during his tenure, from arms procurement to the deployment of the army against the Maoists.
Trained at the National Defence Academy and the Indian Military Academy, VK Singh served in regions (and in roles) crucial to India’s security. From his early days as company commander on the Line of Control in Poonch, to commanding elite formations—Victor Force in Jammu and Kashmir and the vast Eastern Command that shares international
boundaries with Nepal, Bhutan, China, Myanmar and Bangladesh—to his experience of military operations and exercises such as Blue Star, Brasstacks and Trident, General Singh’s story makes for fascinating reading. Candid, compelling and occasionally controversial, this is the story of a straight-talking soldier not afraid to stand by his convictions.
COURAGE AND CONVICTION: An Autobiography
A third-generation army officer, General VK Singh served with both the 2nd and 25th Battalion of the Rajput Regiment. A highly decorated soldier, he was the twenty-fourth Chief of the Indian Army. In the course of his tenure he took a principled stand on multiple issues and this often brought him into conflict with powerful lobbies both inside and outside government. Writer and filmmaker Kunal Verma has produced many critically acclaimed films for the Indian armed forces that include The Standard Bearers on the NDA and a documentary on the Kargil War. He has also authored The Long Road to Siachen: The Question Why and the Northeast Trilogy.
Read More