Rambo: The true account of a Special Forces Officer, Major Sudhir Walia ǀ True story of a brave Para SF Officer

Rambo is a military biography with a touch of difference. This book contains no esoteric military lingos or dull descriptions of rank, regiment or machine. The author has instead brilliantly used his creativity to make it more palatable to a wider audience, civilian or otherwise. With it’s gripping and lucid narration the book packs a punch. It has drama, love, pain, humour, adventure - all rolled into one, all the while remaining true to the essence of what Major Sudhir Walia exemplified. The words are simple yet vivid enough to carry the readers to the place of action. One feels like being a fly on the wall while the incidents unfold in real time before their eyes. The book talks about special forces operations that may not be found anywhere else. The narration will always keep you on the edge of your seats. Another unique feature of the book is that it gives a 360 degree perspective of the events covered in it. The geopolitical decisions, the turmoil of the region, the emotions of locals and soldiers alike are weaved beautifully into the book. All in an easy-to-understand language that doesn’t overwhelm the readers. The author needs to be specially appreciated for keeping a balance in the book. Amidst all the action and thrill he has not forgotten to remind us time and again that every Rambo is at the end of the day a human, just like any of us. He gives us glimpses into the “chinks in the armour” – the longing to be loved, his struggles, his weaknesses, the pain of parting ways with someone. Quiet thoughtfully the book also talks about the equally brave and daring men he operated with. He takes us into their world of camaraderie, brotherhood and honour. The men who walked beside him into hell, honouring the unwavering trust he reposed in them which provided him the opportunity to operate like a Rambo. I highly recommend this book to everyone especially the youngsters who are looking for some real special forces thriller. This book is a breath of fresh air among the military genre in many ways. I bet you won’t regret picking it up. Happy Reading.

There is a beautiful verse in Gita, After listening to Krishna's explanation on souls eternity and one's duty, composed Arjuna asks a very important question what are the characteristics of one who is situated in transcendence? How does he speak, what is his language? How does he sit and walk? -2.54 Sthita-prajñasya kā bhāṣā samādhi-sthasya keśava Sthita-dhīḥ kiṁ prabhāṣeta kim āsīta vrajeta kim Now you ask a similar question how does a fearless warrior looks like? How does he operate??? How does his team look at him? what motivates them? The answer is Maj.Sudhir Kumar Walia. Col.Kale has dealt extensively on above topic in Rombo book. This is not another operation story.... It's a story of one of finest SF officer who served around 12 years period, most them were in intense and extreme combat environment and whose life crossed/Shaped by finest Para officers. You are as good as your team and your team is as good as you. This book talks about finest team which keeps expanding its expertise, skill, competence from one operation to another and finally kept their fear and breaking point far away. Their worked hard and trained hard to keep their coordinates well above the risks associated with operation. Their skills were top notch to get back safely to base with complete unit achieving mission objective. Col.Kale has written this book so beautifully by keeping Sudhir's unit in center... There is very little creative freedom author has exercised and very consciously written with intent of taking the readers as a witness to the operation. The reader is there in the frame and in the camp, invisible listening their preparation, following them in their long walk to the sites. I was curious to understand High Performance team and their mutual trust in operation - Col Kale writes " They knew to overcome fear. That's why they had risked it, again and again. And had survived. They trusted him. More than their own beliefs, more than their own Gods. In this moment, they wanted no one else. Fused with their souls he felt bonded with each of them; a mysterious feeling that connects willing to die together... for each other" Tamil Sangam culture has a tradition of keeping memories of great warriors and sacrifices alive. The culture dates back to 2000+ years ago, typically a stone is kept in the memory of warrior and folk artists keep singing their bravery and valour. This gets passed on generation to generation. These warriors over the period of time become kula devada and kaval devata ( Protecting deity). Major Sudhir Sir is one of these rarest souls and his story should be told to every one. My sincere thanks to Col Ashutosh Kale sir for writing this wonderful book.Only very few can say these words " I didn't come this far only to come this far sir!" I dont want to die in an accident or disease. I want to go down in glory and I want to come back wrapped in tricolor" He came back, wrapped in Tri Color. Jai Hind

This non-fiction book is a true account of special forces officer Major Sujir Walia of 9 Para (SF) who attained martyrdom at 30. This is not just the story of a braveheart son of the soil but an account of a soldier's grit and courage and never-give-up attitude in the face of adversities. The book takes us on a poignant sojourn where the hardships of military training come to the fore. The olive green sheen is not easy to attain or to maintain for that matter both figuratively and literally. While the political bigwigs sitting in plush offices make decisions for their respective ideologies, it's these soldiers who have to bear the brunt of it all as they defend our frontiers. Time and again we have been privy to how insurgencies or war has affected us and how we have lost our men in the process of maintaining the dignity of the tricolour fluttering on the highest peak. Major Sudhir Walia's heroics are a source of motivation for all of us. He is an epitome of resilience who leads from the front playing the favourite game of hide-and-seek with death. Whether the operation against the LTTE in Srilanka, The Kargil war or snuffing out foreign militants, Sudhir never took a breather during a mission and was a step ahead in strategic planning and execution. Everyone around him looked up to him and was ready to take a bullet for him. Even in death as he was getting evacuated gravely injured, his thoughts remained with the ongoing mission. The author, himself an army man has detailed the road of thorns our soldiers tread on every day, during every mission, so that we enjoy the breath of freedom. The Kargil war in particular has been described in such a way that the reader feels the sense of pride and patriotism as if he is present at the location. At the same time, it gives us goosebumps to read about the intense exchange of fire or the loss and mutilation of our soldiers who were caught by the enemy as prisoners. One can't remain without tearing up at the narrative. The pictures published in the book give us a feel of realism. Sudhir Walia stands immortalised.... Hats off to our soldiers. Jai Hind

After middle of the book, felt racy and brought the field operations in front of our eyes. The letter type chapters alone is a detractor at times. Otherwise, a great book to realize the hardships, courage, passion and bonhomie shared by our officers at the front.

THE MAN who knew no fear, mocked death. Maj Sudhir Walia was a synonym of 'fearless'. Read twice.

RAMBO is a highly engaging and compelling book that delves into the life and valiant death of Major Sudhir Walia, a decorated officer who fought bravely for the nation. This book provides an insightful look into the lives of special forces operatives, highlighting the immense hardships they endure and the strong camaraderie that binds them. The narrative offers a blow-by-blow account of various missions, bringing to life the intense and often perilous situations faced by Major Walia and his team. The storytelling is exceptional, drawing readers into the gripping and adrenaline-pumping world of military operations. Pros: - Engaging Content: The book is highly engaging, making it hard to put down once you start reading. - Insightful: Provides deep insights into the lives, challenges, and bonds of special forces personnel. - Detailed Accounts: Offers detailed and vivid descriptions of military missions, making readers feel as if they are part of the action. - Great Storytelling: The narrative is well-crafted, keeping readers hooked from start to finish. Cons: - Niche Appeal: This is a hardcore military operations book and will primarily appeal to those who love this genre. Overall, RAMBO is an excellent read for anyone interested in military stories, special forces operations, or tales of bravery and sacrifice. The great storytelling and vivid accounts make it a memorable and impactful book. Loved the book! Highly recommended!

Pure Motivation… Thoroughly Inspirational…! On a true account… Of an endless saga of an Immortal Soldier…! Hats-off to you, Major Sudhir Walia, SIR…! - Major RK Mishra

A deeply researched biography, Rambo catches you by the jugular. Ashutosh’s ringside view of the realities of soldiers’ lives and his narration of the skirmishes and conflicts has the reader seated on a razor’s edge applauding the valour, sacrifice, and the indomitable spirit of soldiers who live and die by the code of duty. Major Sudhir Walia’s sketch is the epitome of this bravery. He resolutely charts his unassailable desire to be at the forefront, scorning safer assignments. In his words, “I was born common. I don’t want to die common. Untitled. Unheard.” The grit of those who battle fearlessly while we remained cocooned in our safe lives took on a special meaning as I read this book during the Pahalgam massacre and its aftermath. The author, Col Ashutosh Kale, a fellow army man, brings an insider’s lens to Major Walia’s life, capturing the facts and the pulse of the military fraternity with equal elan. From the icy heights of Kargil to the dense forests of Kupwara, the narrative swings between the éclat of victory and the ennui of defeat, raw, immersive, and emotionally charged. Photographs and vivid battlefield descriptions pepper the book, enhancing visual storytelling and making the reader a silent partner reliving the history of countless wars. However, this read isn’t just for war enthusiasts or those seeking military detailing; it is a requiem for those choosing courage over comfort, country over relationships. The narrative isn’t all battlefield journalism though, for beyond the medals and missions, we meet Sudhir, the son, the friend, the lover, and the leader. Yet these roles remain muted, and the broader reader may remain unsatiated. I for one yearned to read more of how Sudhir’s single-mindedness affected his relationship with Taslim and his mother and the pain and anguish they may have suffered. Also, while the painstaking research by the author lends credibility, the writing is deeply reverential, perhaps questioning the critical distance and objectivity in portraying Major Walia. That maybe a civilian reader’s critical misstep. We perhaps fail to imagine a human embodiment so driven by an irrational love for the country which subsumes everything else; larger-than-life heroes, we can never emulate and may thus dismiss their magic as illusory. Yet they were real, what they accomplished superhuman. And we exist because they did, often in lives more tenuous and shorter than ours. Without a thought or a pause on the cost or the consequences. That’s the residue we must take away. That such true-life stories stir our souls and leave us with a lump in our throat and deep reverence for our men and women on the battlefront. That such tributes must shine upon the brilliance of bravery rather than what it leaves in the shadows. And on this count, Rambo delivers. And how!