Leh: General Officer Commanding (GOC) of Leh-based 14 Corps Lt Gen Madan Raj Pandey on Tuesday underscored the significance of military history and Ladakh’s enduring place in India’s defence heritage, saying its legacy offers enduring lessons in courage, leadership, resilience and sacrifice.
Addressing a literary session titled ‘Life Lessons from the Battlefield’ at the ongoing Ladakh Book Festival here, he said military history was not merely a record of dates and battles, but a repository of lessons in leadership, endurance, strategic thinking, innovation and sacrifice.
Reflecting on Ladakh’s military legacy, Lt Gen Pandey recalled the courage displayed at Rezang La and Chushul, as well as the sacrifices made during the 1999 Kargil conflict.
He also underlined the role of books and reading in shaping young minds, noting that literature could broaden perspectives, ignite imagination and inspire young people to become responsible citizens.
He highlighted the Army’s enduring bond with Ladakh and its commitment to education, youth empowerment, cultural preservation and community development, reaffirming the Army’s role beyond its core defence responsibilities.
The fifth day of the book festival at the NDS Memorial Sports Complex brought together children’s activities, military heritage, literature, youth engagement and cultural expression under the festival’s overarching theme, ‘Indian Military History: Valour and Wisdom’.
The day commenced with engaging activities for children, including ‘Clown Town Express’ with Muskan and Farman, which brought fun and energy to the festival, followed by ‘Na yi Deb, Let’s Make a Book’, an interactive workshop led by acclaimed animation filmmaker Tsering Lhanzes.
A major attraction of the day was the opening of the ‘Know Your Army Weapons and Equipment Display’, which gave visitors an opportunity to gain a closer understanding of the equipment, preparedness and technological capabilities of the Indian Armed Forces.
The display added an experiential dimension to the festival’s focus on India’s military history and contemporary defence preparedness, the organisers said in a statement.
The key literary session of the day was ‘Life Lessons from the Battlefield’ by Lt Gen Satish Dua (retd).
Drawing from his military experience, the session explored leadership, resilience, decision-making, courage, teamwork and service to the nation.
“The lessons of the battlefield go far beyond victory and defeat. They teach us leadership, courage, resilience, teamwork and the ability to remain steadfast in adversity. These are values that can guide our young people in their own lives and in building a stronger nation,” said former Lt Gen Dua.