Kargil Vijay Diwas: Kargil Martyr's Daughter: A War Like Situation Never Benefits Anyone

Kargil martyr Major CB Dwivedi' daughter Diksha Dwivedi told HerZindagi on her thoughts behind her book "Letters from Kargil" which she penned some time back and her take on war, what she thinks can be done for soldier's families especially in villages and more. Read on to know more on what Diksha shared with us.

What inspired you to pen this book?

My father’s story. In 2015, I wrote his story for the first for the world to remember him. In that story, I added excerpts from his letters. The story went viral and many people read it - what made this story impactful was his letters. Then in 2016 while speaking with the renowned journalist Priya Ramani who had just joined Juggernaut Books as an editor. We spoke about my father’s story and realised it was the perfect way of telling Kargil war’s story as a whole. I wanted these letters and journal entries to represent many Kargil war heroes we had easily forgotten about in so many years.

Did you face any challenges emotionally while you were at it?

It was a very emotional ride to write this book because it didn’t only reopen my wounds but I had to convince many martyrs’ families to relive the toughest times of their lives with me.

Should the government change any of their policies or anything else that you can think of regarding the families of martyrs?

The first thing that comes to my mind when it comes to doing anything that’ll help martyrs’ families in a big way at the policy level is someone (maybe consultants) who can help Martyrs’ families, especially those based in villages, understand their rights and various compensations that are available at their disposal because of their loved one’s supreme sacrifice. Currently, there are many funds, scholarships, etc. available to soldiers’ families that many of us don’t even know about till we’re intimated (if at all).

What is your take on warmongering?

I think it’s always easier said than done. War in no situation should be the answer for any country. If only every one of us could do a cost-benefit analysis every time we make a strong statement on anything as destructive and powerful as a war, we’d never say “war is needed”. The cost we pay for war is huge and I doubt there’s hardly any benefit ever that comes out of a war-like situation.

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What message would you like to give to other soldiers?

I wake up every day hoping I can one day have the heart and determination like that of a soldier. I often say this - that soldiers are normal humans with extraordinary courage and there’s too much we can learn from them as a society in fact. The way they live and love their lives is something us intolerant Indian citizens can definitely learn from.

Her Message To HerZindagi Readers: A soldier wakes up every day, wears his uniform, to die for the country. I think if each one of us, especially women, could wake up every day to go after our dreams with open arms, this country would be a much better place to live in.