Captain Vijayant Thapar of 2 Rajputana Rifles was awarded aVir Chakra, the nation’s third highest medal for gallantry for having foughtbravely the crucial battles of Tololing and Knoll in the Kargil sector of Jammuand Kashmir during the 1999 war with Pakistan.
His story, that provides a rare glimpse into the heart of abrave soldier has now been immortalized in "Vijayant At Kargil, The Lifeof a Kargil War Hero", co-authored by his father,
Colonel V.N. Thapar (retd) and Neha Dwivedi, a martyr'sdaughter herself.
A fourth-generation Army officer, Vijayant dreamt of servinghis country even as a young boy.
In this first-ever biography, published by Penguin, thereader learns about his journey to join the Indian Military Academy and theexperiences that shaped him into a fine officer. The anecdotes from his familyand close friends come alive, giving an insight into the exceptional young manthat Vijyant was.
His inspiring story, as the nation observes Kargil Diwas Day(Sunday, July 26), provides a rare glimpse into the heart of a brave soldier.His legacy stays alive through these fond memories and his service to thecountry.
Kargil Diwas Day marks the gallant victory of the Indianarmed forces against Pakistani intruders between May-July 1999 in the Dras,Kargil and Batalik sectors of western Ladakh.
Did Viajayant have a premonition about his death as thefierce battles raged? It would seem so from the last letter he wrote to thisparents: "By the time you get this letter I'll be observing you all fromthe sky. I have no regrets; in fact even if I become a human again, I'll jointhe Army and fight for my Nation."
"A nation requires heroes to sustain it. War in Kargilproduced one such hero, Captain Vijayant Thapar. Future generations have aright to such a rich legacy which they can lean on. He lived and died for theconviction that India is great, an 'Idea' worth dying for. His life andthoughts must be preserved and passed on to the next generation. This book,written by a soldier father on a soldier son, is but a pause for new heroeswill emerge from the ashes of Vijyant," Col. Thapar said of the book.
Learning about the heroic act of an individual isfascinating, however learning about his/her journey can be truly inspirational,Dwivedi said.
"At a time, when the need of the hour for us as ageneration is to be able to look beyond 'self' the story of a young 22 year oldhero, Captain Vijayant Thapar, who didn't just grow up with the ingrained ethosof service before self, but went on to put his countrymen, his unit and lastlyhis friends before his own life, is exactly what we need to read. This is forevery young individual, that goes to bed with the same dream every night- thatof making a difference," she added.
"I knew it had to be told," Roshini Dadlani, theeditor of the book said.
"The Kargil War took so many of our brave soldiers, andit's important to remember them. And that's what this book does. ThoughVijayant's gone, he lives on through his bravery and the wonderful memories hisfriends and family have of him," she added.