Being Mortal by Dr Atul Gwande

           I read this wonderful, off beat, book  which deals with very important phase of our lives. The book gives us insight into making choices when you are faced with tough questions which do not have easy answers. In fact this book must be read by those who have aged parents as well as those who are moving towards last phase of there lives when slow denigration of our bodily faculties sets in. The book mostly deals with healthcare system of USA which has little relevant to Indian system but the the choice faced by aged patients and their kith and kin are the same. Stark choice is - whether to go for costly and painful treatment and prolong the life by few more years - or continue to live life the way it comes and die early. In no way death can be avoided. In India most of the persons cannot afford costly treatment for themselves or for their aged parents and most of the time they are, at best, left to the mercy of God - who decides when to call them up. However those of us who can afford - do have choice whether to go under scalpel or not - may have to face such situation. Some of us may even have to strike hard conversations with aged parents giving them options of choosing painful treatment to prolong their life by few years or to not and let them go. Indeed very hard choices to make.

         Dr Atul Gwande has given examples of number of cases dealt by him including his own father who was also a doctor. As one goes though the book it makes reader think of his times to come when he may have to make tough choices. Indeed a dreadful thought - but sooner or later. No one wants to talk about impending death or pending few years to terminally ill patient and his kins - but author exhorts that such talks should be undertaken by doctors and even by kins of such patients. It would require courage to talk and suggest about choosing death over life (few years) and vice versa.

       I would recommend this book to be read by each one of us. And it does require courage to go through it.

Lt Gen Sagat Singh - a Biography

Lt Gen Sagat Singh was the most successful Corps Commander during liberation of Bangladesh in 1971. He did not rise to become Army Commander yet he is remembered over numerous army commanders . Rising from a humble background of Bikaner state forces he attained higher honours in his career and was first Infantry commander of Para Brigade. He led the Brigade in liberation of Goa. Later as 17 Div GOC at China border he stood firm against Chinese misadventures and did not yield an inch of territory.

His leadership acumen stood out brilliantly during 1971 when he commanded 4 Corps. He successfully carried out Heliborne operations and was always a step ahead of given brief. He would always land amongst leading troops in hard faught battles and pep them up. He did not accept faintheartedness. He was nonchalant in adverse circumstances and rose brilliantly.  He displayed great moral courage. As BGS 11 Corps he disagreed to plans of his GOC and even Army Commander.  He had reservations about plans of Eastern Command in 1971. He soldiered and drank hard. He mixed freely with young officers in the evening. Where are such Generals today? Indeed a rare breed !

  The book gives very good glimpses of leadership and  Generalship in battle, talent for war and soldiering par excellence. As human being General Sagat Singh stood up for his officers, men and units. He lost two grown up sons quite tragically.

He did not make it to Army Commander due to some inexplicable reasons possibly as he due to moral courage would speak his mind and stand up to Commanders over him. He did not stick to given brief and exploited opportunities in war much at the cost of annoying higher command.

  Overall a very good book for conissures of Military History. Worth reading.

One Life is not Enough

I recently read this autobiography of K Natwar Singh titled 'One Life is not Enough'. It is interesting book and covers his life as a career diplomat and as a politician. 

However going purely by his version he comes out as total pure white and unblemished.  Though at places it has come out that as diplomat he was dyed in congresses hues. There appear to be number of gaps which he has successfully hidden. 

He has also given very sketchy details of Volcker Report due to which he had to resign as minister and later from Congress.  As per him it was not him but Congress Party which was named in the report. He has also avoided controversies about his family such as death of his daughter and business deals of his son.

The book also gives out many  interesting anecdotes such as his confrontation with Morarji Desai, encounters with General Zia Ul Haq during tenure in Pakistan etc.

Overall worth reading.

Never a dull De

Just finished reading another book by evergreen author Shobhaa De 'Never a dull De'. 

General Manekshaw

I read this book recently on Field Marshall Sam Manekshaw.  It is written by one of his ADCs Brigadier Panthaki. 
There are many other books written by officers who served with Field Marshall Manekshaw but this book is bit different as it gives more personal account of life of Sam Manekshaw. 
Author has added many photos and documents to showcase the personality of Sam.
Indeed an interesting book and worth reading.