Nation First by Shikha Akhilesh Saxena in Paperback

 

The valorous victory of India at Kargil, whose saga continues to be recounted with great pride even after two decades, often fails to bring attention to a crucial aspect - the perspective of the women behind the army. Shikha Akhilesh Saxena, wife of artillery officer Captain Akhilesh Saxena, poignantly portrays the struggles faced by the families of military personnel during times of conflict in her extraordinary book. In the midst of war, newlywed couple Shikha and Akhilesh were unexpectedly thrust into the fray. Through her masterful storytelling, Shikha shares her own harrowing experiences along with those of Akhilesh, who bravely undertook missions at Tololing, the Hump, and Three Pimples. What inner struggles does a soldier face when embarking on a mission with high chances of peril? And what does it take to overcome, and even thrive, after sustaining grave injuries in battle? This poignant memoir captures not