14/07/2017
"Glorious are the lives of those who live for others " , this quote aptly sums up the lives of the soldiers of this great nation of ours who toil and brave insurmountable dangers for us , their fellow brethren and countrymen..The idea on which this great nation of ours stands owes its existence to the soldiers of the indian forces.
We at Anand Creations today feel proud and privileged to get an audience with a highly decorated officer of the Indian armed forces .An army man whose entire career speaks of innumerable sacrifices,countless acts of valor and a never ending zeal to work for our nations betterment.
Here are the excerpts from our conversation with the legendary Major General Gagandeep Bakshi
Anand Creations (AC);Our Audience would like to hear about your illustrious life starting from your earliest boyhood ?
General Bakshi : My life took a turn during the 1965 war when my brother was killed at the age of 23.It was a year and a half later when I joined the NDA (National defence academy).
It was 1971 when I along with my compatriots was supposed to graduate from the NDA , India was faced with a war and all of us at the NDA were commissioned a month early.Many of us landed in Siliguri and were sent straight into the battlefields.Many of my comrades lost their lives on the first night of service.We were called as the "Born to Battle batch".
The good news though was many of us rose to be Generals and Air marshals.
AC:What would you rate as the biggest challenges that you have faced in your life ?
General Bakshi: I fought CT ops in punjab, I led my battalion in action in Kargil in 1990-91 and was given VSM. I led my brigade in CT action in kishtwar from 2000 sep to 2002 and was awarded SM. I commanded Romeo force in Rajouri Punch area in fierce CT operations.retired in 2008 after 37 years of service in the army
The Biggest challenge though when the Battalion commanded by me came under fire in Kargil. That day we lost 6 of our brave soldiers and 21 were wounded.
AC:Who would you regard as your inspiration and who are the personalities you look up to ?
General Bakshi :Netaji Subhash chandra bose is and has been my inspiration right from my earliest boyhood days.
AC:As an illustrious army man and now a prolific public speaker what do you think has changed in your life ?
General Bakshi: I now defend the country in another way- nothing has changed. i do get more time with my family !
AC:Behind the robust and stern exterior our audience would love to know what kind of music do you like and which is your favourite movie ?
General Bakshi: I like devotional classical music and tunes like Zorba the Greek. Dr Zhivago, Lawrence of Arabia, The last Samurai are few of my favourite movies.
We at Anand Creations express our heartfelt thanks to Major General Gagandeep Bakshi for this opportunity to have a heartfelt conversation with him ..
