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Two decades after India's resounding victory at Kargil, stories and accounts of the war continue to be narrated with immense pride. Yet, one pertinent perspective has been largely overlooked – that of the army wives. In this remarkable book, Shikha Akhilesh Saxena, wife of artillery officer Captain Akhilesh Saxena, describes the turmoil endured by the families of military officers in the face of conflict.
As a young couple, Shikha and Akhilesh unexpectedly found themselves in the midst of war. Shikha deftly depicts her own experiences as well as those of Akhilesh, who took part in missions at Tololing, the Hump and Three Pimples. What does a soldier go through, when marching off to a near-suicidal mission? And what does it take to survive, even thrive, having sustained serious injuries in battle?
This detailed memoir shows the boundless bravery of the Indian troops, as well as the emotional tumult experienced by their families both during and after the war. Nation First is a story of grit, determination and heroic patriotism shown by the men and women who give their all to safeguard the country.
Review
'What makes this book unique is that it's written from a wife's perspective, so her book cuts through military jargon to describe the battles of Tololing and Three Pimples where her husband, Captain Akhilesh Saxena, fought and was critically wounded. While her husband battled the enemy, she had to fight off her own anxieties...[but] both of them overcame their respective physical and mental challenges and came out as winners. ...A must-read for those who want to know more about the Kargil Conflict...the personal accounts of the battles of Tololing and Three Pimples, and hear the story of people left behind at home when a soldier goes off to fight for his country.' – B.S. Dhanoa, Air Chief Marshal (Retd.)
'An electrifying and moving account of courage seen not just through the eyes of braveheart Captain Akhilesh Saxena, war-wounded hero of Kargil, but also through the eyes of his wife who was no less than a soldier at the frontline. The book is a must-read and takes you through a gamut of emotions with its extraordinary and intimate portrait of what happens to a family when a soldier comes home from war and when the headlines have faded. I hope everyone reads this book to understand the emotions that maketh a man and his home. Highly recommend this book.' – Barkha Dutt, Journalist and Author
'The wife of an army officer writes this touching memoir, giving a fresh perspective of the '99 war. The tale of a warrior is incomplete without recognizing the emotional being inside him. Nation First brings to life the bloodiest battles without losing sight of the tenderness of humanity. Shikha's story is one of incomparable grit, determination and perseverance, that is sure to inspire!' – Anupam Kher, Actor, Producer and Director
'One's life unfolds in proportion to one's courage. Shikha's heart-wrenching memoir Nation First will inspire a new generation of young men and women to join the forces. It is a first-hand account of the impact on families and partners of war heroes and soldiers who themselves pay a heavy price for this supreme duty. Nation First is about putting the soldier first, the family first and the heart first. It is a glimpse of the journey of a woman who truly epitomizes the saying, “when the going gets tough, the tough get going.”' – Dr Annurag Batra, Chairman BW Businessworld and Founder exchange4media
'One can only read this with tears, pride and patriotism. A tribute to valour and courage.'– Anand Neelakantan, Author of Asura: Tale of the Vanquished and Bahubali trilogy
About the Author
Shikha Akhilesh Saxena is an IT professional, entrepreneur, educator and a mother of two children. After her husband, Captain Akhilesh Saxena, sustained injuries during the Kargil war, the couple was forced to restart their lives. Sheer dedication and an unwavering spirit explain their success: Akhilesh is now Vice President at Tata Communications, while Shikha is the founder and CEO of Inspiring Mantras, which conducts leadership programmes.
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