KVR 's Key Ideas from The Kargil Girl
by Gunjan Saxena

• Learn to fight your own fights.
• No matter how big your problem is, you should face it. If you cannot face it with strength, then apply your mind.
• The mind always wins over muscle.
• You might get hurt many times, but each wound will make you stronger.

• Children must learn the value of the things that were being given to them.
• If you do something wrong, intentionally or unintentionally, don't try to hide it with a lie. If you tell the truth, we will not get mad at you, we will always help you.

• Sacrifice and hard work reap honest and great results.
• To be able to make us proud, sometimes you will have to get out of your comfort zone and accept challenges.
• Never seek shortcuts, never seek privilege, never do anything dishonourable.
• You must earn everything you get. There's a different taste to it, a taste of satisfaction.

• Before you learn to do something, learn all the ways to not do it. Remember, safety is paramount.
• Whatever you do, just give it your best shot.

• Honesty, grit and determination can move mountains.
• A simple, plain and honest confrontation can reap extraordinary results.
• It doesn't take much to convince someone of anything if you actually mean what you say.

I understood I was going to fail. But something inside me was just not ready to give up yet. So I closed my eyes & ignored all the cheers & other sounds. Every bit of my energy went into pushing me ahead under the water's surface. Even though my start had been bad, I had managed to succeed, & it had been possible only because I hadn't lost my calm. Life had taught me what 'do or die' actually meant. I was going to lose, so I thought of doing so with dignity & channelled all my energy into my arms & legs. Instead of giving up, I ended up seizing the day. [Never give up attitude]

• I would not crib or cry if I failed — I would accept the results calmly and go back like a true fighter. [Brave]
• Prepare well and execute better in the next SSB exam. [Accept the situation and Move on]

• “You cannot let one centimetre decide your fate. You are meant to fly”, said father.
• There's no shame in falling, but there is no glory in not trying to get up after the fall.
• In the last few metres during a run, every single drop of blood matters, every bit of energy matters, every stride matters. Winners aren't those who put all their effort into the beginning of the run; winners are those who do not give up in the last few metres.

• I would keep going and face whatever came my way. [Courage]
• This too, shall pass. [Self-motivation]
• There is no room for even the slightest error, during training as well as in battle. I convinced myself to shut my mind and stop worrying — it was the only way I would make it through the academy. [Passionate]
• It was all for my good. [Optimism]

• “Focus on the bright side of it”, said friend ————Friend's encouragement
• My hands shivered and tears filled my eyes. I had to do something. I could not afford to lose my calm at this moment. I closed my eyes and ignored all the sounds that were reaching my ears. Everything went dark and blank for a moment. [Maintaining calmness during tough times]

• Whatever happens, I will not let them capture me alive. [Valour]
• I wasn't trained to let nervousness jeopardize a mission. I did not pass out from the academy with flying colours just to get nervous. I was very much capable of pulling it off, I assured myself. [Self-control]

• You need to be 200% prepared on the ground to be able to perform 100% in air. And remember, you must always think ahead of your aircraft.
• The military is not the place for those who apply logic to orders; the military is for those who know how to follow orders in letter and spirit. Because when in war, logic induces fear and fear induces cowardice. But those who are only trained to follow orders fail to recognize fear. Those who follow orders are the ones who make a difference. And this entire process begins in the academy itself.

• Things could change in war in no time.
• With a little ingenuity, one could accomplish the mission against all odds.
• Discipline was the key to soldiering.