Published: Nov. 18, 2011
Words: 116760 (approximate)
Language: English

Short description

The Journey: A poignant picture of an innocent time. A narrative commencing in the 1930's detailing the trials and tribulations of a newly wedded young soldier of the Indian Army. "Only the Jouney is written...not the Destination."

Extended description

A Soldier’s Journey Through Life
The reader joins the author in his ‘Journey through Life’ around 1935, as perceived by a child of five and six following him through the simple ways of life in the Western UP villages, then to Delhi of yore and the small towns of the province.
The culture shock of the move to Lucknow in the 50’s and the freewheeling life in the university is introduced to the new concept of 'Love at Far Site. Next on to Indian Military Academy in Dehradun located in the foothills of lofty Himalayas. IMA with its dreaded Drill Square, Obstacle Course and then the passing-out as a proud but nervous 2nd Lieutenant married to his new, but virtual wife: the Indian Army. He subsequently suffers a period growing pains in the post Independence Army. An Army which was still a blend of the old British traditions and the Indian value system.
Shortly thereafter he finds himself married to the love of his life, Jeet and the reader is introduced to a man experiencing ‘... (Read more) A Soldier’s Journey Through Life
The reader joins the author in his ‘Journey through Life’ around 1935, as perceived by a child of five and six following him through the simple ways of life in the Western UP villages, then to Delhi of yore and the small towns of the province.
The culture shock of the move to Lucknow in the 50’s and the freewheeling life in the university is introduced to the new concept of 'Love at Far Site. Next on to Indian Military Academy in Dehradun located in the foothills of lofty Himalayas. IMA with its dreaded Drill Square, Obstacle Course and then the passing-out as a proud but nervous 2nd Lieutenant married to his new, but virtual wife: the Indian Army. He subsequently suffers a period growing pains in the post Independence Army. An Army which was still a blend of the old British traditions and the Indian value system.
Shortly thereafter he finds himself married to the love of his life, Jeet and the reader is introduced to a man experiencing ‘Love at First Sight', the pangs of separation in married life and the complexity of juggling with the conflicting needs and demands of the two wives, one loving and demanding; the other just plain demanding. Then during the 1962 Sino-Indian Conflict it's off to the battle grounds in the 'Valley of Death' to face the uncertainties to life and limb.
As the author climbs up the career ladder, the reader has a chance to look at the intricacies of Command and Staff at Army HQ and the student–instructor relationship in a service environment, so different from traditional institutions.
As life goes by, the reader is introduced to the author's trauma on being a helpless witness to his wife's tenacious fight with cancer, with his only partly successful efforts, to minimise her pains through the long struggle, culminating in her untimely demise, finally to sympathise with his efforts to cope with remorse, pain and guilt of living without her.
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Tags

signals, lieutenant, brigade, signals regiment, indian army, lakshman singh, tawang, namkachu, sino indian

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Reviews

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Review by: Kal Frain on March 27, 2012 :
Very interesting read. The story of an Indian army officer conflicted between his duty to the army and the lifelong love affair with his wife. Will interest anyone who is curious about army life, history buffs & readers of romance stories.
(review of free book)

Review by: Dr. Arjun Saxena on March 23, 2012 :
Brig. Lakshman Singh has written "A Soldier's Journey Through Life" in an extremely engaging manner. He starts by telling his early life, his student days, joining the Army, and how he was introduced to a very pretty girl, Jeet, whom he married. After training in the Army Signal Corps, he was sent to the Northeast front of the war between India and China. He describes all the events of the war which were quite hazardous indeed, and how he saved his fellow soldiers at the risk of his own life. He returned home to his beloved wife Jeet (Rosy). They had wonderful romantic times together, and raised a lovely family. Later she was a victim of cancer, and succumbed in a tragic way. But she has not escaped Lakshman’s memory, as she is alive in his heart and mind forever.

The entire book is very enjoyable to read with romantic up and down episodes of Lakshman’s real life story, and adventures in army and civilian life. Finally the denouement is very touching. I enjoyed this book thoroughly.

- Dr. Arjun Saxena, Emeritus Professor; Author of “Invention of Integrated Circuits: Untold Important Facts”.
(reviewed the day of purchase)

Review by: Ashok Agarwal on March 23, 2012 :
The book 'A Soldiers Journey Through Life with two wives" by Brig Lakshman Singh.

Brig Lakshman Singh has written the story of his life starting from his childhood days, his college life and then joining the Army as a commissioned officer in the Corps of Signals. The real twist in the story comes when he is asked to join his operational unit in North East during Chinese operation, within days of he getting married to his pretty wife Jeet. He very nicely describes the conflict faced by him on one side the call of duty to join his Army unit engaged in the operation and on the other side, the compassion of separation from his beloved wife within days of his the wedding. This is the reason that he aptly portrays a soldier's duty towards the Army as his second wife.

The book makes an extremely interesting reading for multiple reasons. Being part of 1962 Chinese operation, he has shared his experiences of his operational engagement and has given the video graphic account various aspects of the operation that can easily make chapter of a military history book. He has been passionate and bold enough to share his intimate moments of romantic episodes with his wife during their court ship and early married life, and the art of coping with the long spell of of separations, and ultimately the biggest challenge of bearing the pain during her protracted terminal illness and finally loosing her in the prime of her life.

A heart touching story indeed....... I am once again truly moved while I write this review.

Reviewed by;-
Lt Gen (Retd) Ashok Agarwal, PVSM
Head India Operations, Location Labs, CA, USA
Former Director General(QA) Ministry of Defence
& Imdt Past President
Institution of Electronics &Telecommunication Engineers
New Delhi 110 003. India
Phone: +91 9818370802(Cell)
(reviewed the day of purchase)

Review by: Ashok Agarwal on March 23, 2012 : (no rating)
Brig Lakshman Singh has written the story of his life starting from his childhood days, his college life and then joining the Army as a commissioned officer in the Corps of Signals. The real twist in the story comes when he is asked to join his operational unit in North East during Chinese operation, within days of he getting married to his pretty wife Jeet. He very nicely describes the conflict faced by him on one side the call of duty to join his Army unit engaged in the operation and on the other side, the compassion of separation from his beloved wife within days of his the wedding. This is the reason that he aptly portrays a soldier's duty towards the Army as his second wife.

The book makes an extremely interesting reading for multiple reasons. Being part of 1962 Chinese operation, he has shared his experiences of his operational engagement and has given the video graphic account various aspects of the operation that can easily make chapter of a military history book. He has been passionate and bold enough to share his intimate moments of romantic episodes with his wife during their court ship and early married life, and the art of coping with the long spell of of separations, and ultimately the biggest challenge of bearing the pain during her protracted terminal illness and finally loosing her in the prime of her life.

A heart touching story indeed....... I am once again truly moved while I write this review.

Reviewed by;-
Lt Gen (Retd) Ashok Agarwal, PVSM
Head India Operations, Location Labs, CA, USA
Former Director General(QA) Ministry of Defence
& Imdt Past President
Institution of Electronics &Telecommunication Engineers
New Delhi 110 003. India
Phone: +91 9818370802(Cell)
(reviewed the day of purchase)

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