Key Highlights
Title: 'Grit: The Major Story'
Author: Major DP Singh, VR Ferose, Sriram Jagannathan
Genre: Graphic novel
Publisher: Hachette India
Price: INR 399
Pages: 176
'Grit', as the title suggests, is a story of a man's undying will to overcome the obstacles in his life with immense positivity. The book follows the ups and downs of
Major Devender Pal Singh's life, who got severely injured and lost a limb during Operation Vijay in 1999. But he never lost hope and bounced back to life to become India's first blade runner.
The book is written in a
graphic novel format where
Major DP Singh is depicted as a real-life superhero.
The vision and concept of the book are by VR Feroze; while, the design, script and artwork is done by Sriram Jagannathan.
The story follows Major DP Singh-- from his childhood to his college days to his struggles of getting into the Indian Military Academy (IMA) to becoming a Second Lieutenant Officer to becoming India's first blade runner and an inspiration for many people, the book tells it all. This is an extraordinary story of Major Singh who had an ordinary upbringing. Brought up by his grandparents in Roorkee, Major Singh was inspired to become an Army officer at a young age. But making this dream into a reality wasn't easy, as it took him a few attempts to clear the Army's entrance exam. Once recruited into the
Indian Army, he was soon promoted to the rank of a Major during the 1999
Kargil War in
Kashmir. During this war, he faced the tragic loss of losing a limb while serving the nation but it was Major Singh's unbeatable spirit which kept him going. With the help of healthcare professionals, aided by the army, and huge support of his family, Major Singh restarted his life. He challenged himself and took up running. Today he is known as India's first blade runner and a motivational speaker for people who are differently-abled!
Written in simple and lucid language, this graphic novel is a page-turner. Major Singh's story is deeply inspiring and optimistic which will motivate the readers to face, fight and overcome their own battles. His life motto 'conquer yourself and you will conquer the world' and his eternal optimistic attitude of accepting life as it is, are some lessons which readers of all ages can learn through this book.