Aanand Kharde

#BookReview Title: Balidan - Stories of India's Greatest Para Special Forces Operatives Author: Swapnil Pandey Language: English Category: Non-Fiction, True Account Genre: Military Science, War Stories, History, Narrative Country: India Publisher: HarperCollins India Year: 2023 Pages: 230 Price: 299/- INR (Paperback) Format: Paperback and Kindle edition Available on: Amazon and Harper Collins websites as well as leading bookstores and select book portals. Summary: The book is an extensively researched and painstakingly compiled true account of India's Special Forces. Little is known about the heroism and sacrifice of The Parachute Regiment or Para Special Forces due to their operations being ultra-secret and for national security reasons. The author has conducted more than 200 interviews of active and retired personnel, and their families with due permission and following protocols of Indian Army. The "Maroon Berets" are the extremely trained in military combat and the deadliest of India's security forces. The clutter free cover is as simple and imposing as the tradition of the Indian Army. The book starts with the story of supreme sacrifice of Colonel Santosh Yashwant Mahadik and also features a love story of a commando Major Manish Singh. The book dvelves into the lives of this highly classified unit and highlights the sacrifices made by them, both in personal and professional life. It also highlights the plight of their families without going overboard on an emotional trip. Verdict: Balidan, simply meaning Sacrifice, which is the motto of Para Special Forces is a must read for lovers of non-fiction and military science. Start to finish in one go.