Tiger of Drass: Capt. Anuj Nayyar, 23, Kargil Hero

Written for #1000reviewersclub by @IndicaBooks

23 then, now and forever. This project is a heart-wrenching eulogy from a mother who lost her brave-heart to the ravages of war. A catharsis in the form of a biography, it captures the essence of Captain Anuj Nayyar, 23, Maha Vir Chakra from a strapping young lad to the meticulous, ethical and steadfast soldier that played a pivotal role in bringing an enemy nation to its knees. The book may appear slim but the weight of the words printed on its pages is as dense as blood-soaked parchment that describes a personality that can only be matched by Dharmaraja Yudhishtra.

The book starts highlighting Capt. Anuj's upstanding morals from a very young age. Saintly in his speech but a go-getter in his deeds, he instilled in others what he saw in himself – an unstoppable, unforgiving force with the grace of an air-borne feather. Self motivated from before the starting line, it was his life's mission to keep pushing his personal boundaries – which was a mighty task since unbeknownst to him, he was carrying the burden of his entire squadron and then some. While I can personally attest to my lackadaisical constitution as homework dragged along while coddling my video-gaming system, its unnerving to see Capt. Anuj's bullheadedness to make officer by the age of 21 simply in order to serve for a longer time and gain exposure as soon as possible. Instead of succumbing to peer pressure and taking responsibilities for granted, he pulled others up to his wavelength and brought out the best in them, thus earning respect and life-long camaraderie with those who he worked as prominently seen in him leading the Naushera Company at the IMA drills. The word ‘rest' never came into picture, not even when he was admitted for jaundice while serving in the 17th Battalion of he Jat regiment. Undoubtedly rash, but gives a binocular vision of his grit and doggedness for victory. He had no external competition for he was his own worst enemy...till martyrdom separated him from himself and Timmie, his bride-to-be.

Chapter 4:

I have yet to face an opponent who can win from [sic] me. I want posting in Kashmir because I want to kill them for killing so manyinnocent Indians.
–Capt. Anuj Nayyar, MVC

This chapter pushes the reader to the brink of suspense, fear, sadness and pride – one can only imagine the kind of high Capt. Anuj may have been experiencing. I cannot do a better job than the author and mother in relating the events that led to his martyrdom and the successive victory. If it all you read one chapter from the book, it should be Chapter 4, once, twice and as many times as it takes to understand Capt. Anuj as an individual.

The loss that he feels is your loss, his determination is yours. Lucid, descriptive and engaging while retaining all the technicality, the author describes the event that may have won the war but emptied our souls.

I felt it necessary to add key excerpts from the Chapter:

He embodied the best that a soldier can be. Anuj was the Jat battalion and every Jat was him.

He ended the call by asking Timmie to think of honeymoon destinations. It seemed Anuj was also gearing up for marriage but only after sending the insurgents to their right place – ‘not back to their holes but straight to hell'

He kept a watch and a leather wallet on Col. Bawa's table and said, ‘Sir, in case I do not come back, please have these returned to my family.'

At 0718 hours on 8 July, the Indian national flag was hoisted at the Pimple Complex by the Indian armed forces, 79 Infantry Brigade and 17 Jat Battalion. Capt. Anuj Nayyar may not have been there that morning but he was present in the victorious soldiers who basked in his glory.

[Prof. Nayyar] ‘Yaar, Anuj, iss mein ek bhi Nayyar nahin hain?

‘I'm going to live very long, there's no bullet in Pakistan that could do me any harm today.

The Aftermath:

Capt. Anuj Nayyar was not just a soldier who had died on the battlefield. He was the embodiment of the Indian people. Anuj was only twenty-three years old; the men and women, the soldiers and officers in the procession had sons older than him while some of them were themselves the same age. By the time the army truck reached the crematorium, thousands had gathered behind it.

Kargil Heights Filling Station

‘Amar rahe ... amar rahe ... Anuj Nayyar amar rahe.'

A Poem From Prof. Nayyar to his Son:

My son, the Tiger of Drass,You live in our heart,Your smile is as fresh as ever.Your saga of valour and fearless determinationShall be remembered for everIn the hearts of the Jats and history of the army.You are a beacon of inspiration.You taught us how to love andHow to remember.Remember we will what you gave us,Remember we will the loss,The years to be spent together andThe years your brother missed.Remember we willThe profound grief and pride, andThe history you madeFor the coming generations.

More Sources On Capt. Anuj Nayyar

Mother of Capt. Anuj's (and author of the book) twitter account: https://twitter.com/MeenaNayyar4/status/1497588450119147522

https://theprint.in/pageturner/excerpt/senior-watching-kargil-hero-anuj-nayyar-stuffed-his-bag-with-grenades-and-said-thoda-aur/935687/

https://www.thebetterindia.com/152033/kargil-anuj-nayyar-maha-vir-chakra-vijay-diwas-news/

https://www.honourpoint.in/profile/captain-anuj-nayyar-mvc/

#RememberingKargil: Kargil Hero Anuj Nayyar's Mother To India Ahead https://youtu.be/pHQaWtA3e2M

https://www.deccanherald.com/content/247655/he-missioni-only-channelised-it.html