Lt Gen. Konsam Himalay Singh - Making of a General: A Himalayan Echo

O ne day I will be a Brigadier are the words I wrote in my diary in 1967 dated 26th Januaryperhaps the first chronicled entry of my life. I was then studying in an idyllically located school in a remote village of Charangpat (Lake of the Dragonflies) in the south eastern foothills of Manipur Valley. I was physically weak, shy, and scared of heights and the darkness. Many a mate in my school mocked my physique and ambition of wanting to join the army, leave alone rise to be a Brigadier. Thus, it became a relentless pursuit of self-improvement throughout my formative years in the school days. My yearning for physical fitness, academic and intellectual excellence persisted through most of my early life. Fifty years later, I returned to my roots in Manipur after having served in the Indian Army for nearly 40 years and after having become the first Lieutenant General of North East India.

As a young Lieutenant commissioned into the elite Rajput regiment of the Indian Army it had always been my dream to jot down my lifes journey. As a subaltern, in my quest for adventure and also to get over the fear of heights, I ventured on many mountaineering expeditions, trekking in the Himalayas including an expedition to Mount Kanchenjunga, and skydiving trips in Agra. Later, I led an Infantry Battalion during the Kargil War and commanded a Battalion in the highest battlefield of the world, the Siachen Glacier. The memories of the two years operations in Siachen and in Shyok valley with my troops are truly the finest hours and unforgettable days in my life as a soldier. Still later, I commanded an Infantry Division and a Corps in the Line of Control facing Pakistan and also oversaw Counter Terrorist Operations in Jammu and Kashmir.

My professional exposure also included sensitive responsibilities in the South Block and Sena Bhawan in Delhi where I witnessed policymaking at higher levels from close quarters. There were times when matters did not navigate as one wanted them to. In any event, I felt I contributed my pennys worth.

My interaction with the cadets as Battalion Commander in the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla, and later with the officers as Commandant of the Infantry School, Mhow, gave me important insights about leadership training and professional development of future leaders of our army. During my tenure in the higher ranks I became increasingly mindful about the effects of the existing personnel policy in the army and its impact on national security.

This book aims to impart some thoughts and lessons that I was able to garner for the future generations. The issue of Ethical Leadership development in the army has been analysed in some detail. Lessons learnt from routine interaction with the soldiers turned out to be change catalysts in my man-management style that I adopted during my various command years. No less were the learning experiences from my colleagues and seniors. The book also attempts to highlight the challenges of the army from across the LoC in the areas South of the Pir Panjal Ranges in Jammu and Kashmir during the period as well as in the hinterland.