New Delhi, Apr 25 : Former Army chief Gen Manoj Naravane has released two books since his unpublished memoir Four Stars of Destiny sparked controversy earlier this year, calling the fallout “not warranted” for dragging him into the spotlight.
In a recent interview, Naravane, who launched The Curious and the Classified: Unearthing Military Myths and Mysteries (Rupa Publications), said he’s moved on. “The Ministry of Defence asked the publisher to hold it for vetting. As far as I’m concerned, that’s a closed chapter,” he told a news agency. The episode followed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi being barred from quoting excerpts in the Lok Sabha in February.
Described as an “entertaining read” rather than academic work, the book uncovers Indian armed forces lore, including the origins of “Jai Hind.” Naravane traces it from the freedom movement, noting the Indian Air Force adopted it first—before the Army and Navy. “It was initially the Air Force that started saying ‘Jai Hind’… I must have said it a million times without knowing its deeper roots,” he said. Salutes were once silent, with regiments using greetings like “Sat Sri Akal” or “Ram Ram.”
Naravane spotlights Badluram, an Assam Regiment soldier killed at the 1944 Battle of Kohima. His post-death rations sustained his besieged unit, inspiring Major M T Proktor’s hit song “Badluram ka Badan”—now the regiment’s unofficial anthem: “Badluram ka badan zameen ke neeche hai. Lekin uska ration hum khaate hain.” “It raises your morale… very few know its roots in a battle that turned India’s history,” Naravane said.
He also recounts Pedongi, a 1971 war mule captured by Pakistanis. Loaded with a machine gun, it escaped through minefields via homing instinct, earning retirement honors and living 37 years at Bareilly. “It was an act of valor, bravery, and loyalty,” the general noted.
A third book is slated for soon release.
