‘Cartoos Saab is a deftly woven personal journey that takes the reader from July 1954 to December 2018 in a seamless manner… recalled with verve by General Ian Cardozo – gifted storyteller and diehard Gorkha whose grit, integrity and hallmark professionalism burnish the pages in a distinctive manner.’ – COMMODORE C. UDAY BHASKAR, VSM (RTD) DIRECTOR, SOCIETY FOR POLICY STUDIES

‘A riveting account of a lifetime of soldiering and service to the country by an extraordinary soldier, accomplished military historian and a champion for equal opportunity, particularly for soldiers and veterans with disabilities. Written in a lucid and easy style, this is a must-read for those who seek an understanding of what it means to be a part of the profession of arms in independent India.’ – AIR VICE MARSHAL ARJUN SUBRAMANIAM (RETD), AUTHOR OF INDIA’S WARS AND FULL SPECTRUM

‘General Ian Cardozo is from that rare breed of men, who marched out of the Academy with a gold medal pinned on his chest only to excel not just as a scholar in uniform but to exhibit courage that defies definition. This account of his life and times tells us why this book must be read by all, especially those who wish to understand what makes soldiers go beyond their call of duty.’ – MAROOF RAZA, FORMER ARMY OFFICER, TV COMMENTATOR AND MILITARY HISTORIAN

‘General Cardozo’s memoirs are as extraordinary as he is. This book chronicles the remarkable journey of a remarkable man. His courage and compassion are the stuff of legend. Except it all happened for real. Cartoos Saab is inspirational reading for every Indian.’ – BARKHA DUTT

‘This is an amazingly inspirational life story of the evolution of a soldier, leader and a crusader over a lifespan. The story is about valour, grit, emotions and overcoming odds and seemingly insurmountable hurdles. This will surely motivate and inspire a range of readers.’ – SOM MITTAL, CHAIRMAN, NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR PROMOTING EMPLOYMENT OF DISABLED PERSONS; FORMER CHAIRMAN, NASSCOM

Ian Cardozo was born in Mumbai on 7 August 1937 and studied at St. Xavier’s School and College. After a year at college, he joined the National Defence Academy in July 1954 where he was awarded the gold medal for being the best all-round cadet, and the silver medal for being first in order of merit. On being commissioned from the Indian Military Academy he joined the 1st Battalion the 5th Gorkha Rifles (Frontier Force) and moved to the North East Frontier Agency (NEFA) with his battalion where he was the first officer of the Indian Army to be awarded the Sena Medal for gallantry on a patrol on the Sino-Indian border in 1959.

He took part in the Sino-Indian war of 1962 and was part of the team that re-raised the Fourth Battalion of his regiment in the aftermath of that war. As part of ‘Four Five’ he fought the Indo-Pak wars of 1965 and 1971. Disabled during the 1971 war at Sylhet, in Bangladesh, he overcame the disability of losing a leg and changed the mindset at Army Headquarters by proving that losing a leg did not take away his ability to command troops in the army.

Gen Cardozo was the first war-disabled officer to be approved for command of a battalion and a brigade. He thereafter commanded an Infantry Division on the Line of Control and retired as Chief of Staff of a Corps in the East. After retirement, he worked with an NGO taking care of persons with disability and was chosen by the Government of India to head the Rehabilitation Council of India.