The life story of Flight Lieutenant Gunjan Saxena is remarkable. She was born in an Army family, where her father and her elder brother both served in the Indian Army. Later on, Gunjan Saxena went on to become India's first woman air force officer who went to war. She was the only women in the Indian Armed Forces who flew into war zones in the Kargil War. So, she's popularly known as the 'Kargil Girl'.

From Being A Common Person To Becoming A Commendable Personality

In this, let's look at few takeaways from the book 'The Kargil Girl' by Gunjan Saxena, which is an autobiography. The following topics have been emphasized more :<ul><li>LESSONS/VALUES taught by parents to their children (Gunjan and her brother Anshuman) </li><li>QUALITIES showcased by Gunjan Saxena during different situations</li><li>Training Lessons</li><li>War Lessons </li></ul>

Topics

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Learn to fight your own fights.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">No matter how big your problem is, you should face it. If you cannot face it with strength, then apply your mind. </li><li class="ql-align-justify">The mind always wins over muscle.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">You might get hurt many times, but each wound will make you stronger. </li></ul>

Father's Motivational Lines About Dealing With Problems 

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Children must learn the value of the things that were being given to them. </li><li class="ql-align-justify">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. </li></ul>

Mother's Lessons To Children 

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

Father's Lessons To Children 

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Before you learn to do something, learn all the ways to not do it. Remember, safety is paramount.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Whatever you do, just give it your best shot.</li></ul>

Father's Caution & Encouragement 

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

Lessons Learnt From Father

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]

Gunjan Saxena's Attitude During Swimming Competition 

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

Gunjan Saxena's Attitude During SSB Interview 

<ul><li>“You cannot let one centimetre decide your fate. You are meant to fly”, said father.</li><li>There's no shame in falling, but there is no glory in not trying to get up after the fall.</li><li>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.</li></ul>

Father's Motivation

<ul><li>I would keep going and face whatever came my way. [Courage] </li><li>This too, shall pass. [Self-motivation] </li><li>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] </li><li>It was all for my good. [Optimism] </li></ul>

Gunjan Saxena's Attitude During Training 

<ul><li>“Focus on the bright side of it”, said friend ————Friend's encouragement </li><li>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] </li></ul>

Gunjan Saxena's Attitude During Solo Flight 

<ul><li>Whatever happens, I will not let them capture me alive. [Valour] </li><li>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]</li></ul>

Gunjan Saxena's Attitude In War 

<ul><li>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.</li><li>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. </li></ul>

Training Lessons 

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

War Lessons 

In 1994, twenty-year-old Gunjan Saxena boards a train to Mysore to appear for the selection process of the fourth Short Service Commission (for women) pilot course. Seventy-four weeks of back-breaking training later, she passes out of the Air Force Academy in Dundigal as Pilot Officer Gunjan Saxena. On 3 May 1999, local shepherds report a Pakistani intrusion in Kargil. By mid-May, thousands of Indian troops are engaged in fierce mountain warfare with the aim to flush out the intruders. The Indian Air Force launches Operation Safed Sagar, with all its pilots at its disposal. While female pilots are yet to be employed in a war zone, they are called in for medical evacuation, dropping of supplies and reconnaissance. This is the time for Saxena to prove her mettle. From airdropping vital supplies to Indian troops in the Dras and Batalik regions and casualty evacuation from the midst of the ongoing battle, to meticulously informing her seniors of enemy positions and even narrowly escaping a Pakistani rocket missile during one of her sorties, Saxena fearlessly discharges her duties, earning herself the moniker 'The Kargil Girl'. This is her inspiring story, in her words.

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In 1994, twenty-year-old Gunjan Saxena boards a train to Mysore to appear for the selection process of the fourth Short Service Commission (for women) pilot course. Seventy-four weeks of back-breaking training later, she passes out of the Air Force Academy in Dundigal as Pilot Officer Gunjan Saxena. On 3 May 1999, local shepherds report a Pakistani intrusion in Kargil. By mid-May, thousands of Indian troops are engaged in fierce mountain warfare with the aim to flush out the intruders. The Indian Air Force launches Operation Safed Sagar, with all its pilots at its disposal. While female pilots are yet to be employed in a war zone, they are called in for medical evacuation, dropping of supplies and reconnaissance. This is the time for Saxena to prove her mettle. From airdropping vital supplies to Indian troops in the Dras and Batalik regions and casualty evacuation from the midst of the ongoing battle, to meticulously informing her seniors of enemy positions and even narrowly escaping a Pakistani rocket missile during one of her sorties, Saxena fearlessly discharges her duties, earning herself the moniker 'The Kargil Girl'. This is her inspiring story, in her words.

Gunjan Saxena

Kiran Nirvan

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