How a General Is Made: An Inside Look (International Edition)

Kathmandu, May 25 – The upcoming book titled ‘Shattering Barriers’ narrates the journey of Lt Gen Shakti Gurung, who was the first individual from an ethnically Gorkha background to reach the pinnacle of leadership within the Indian Army. He began his career with the Grenadiers regiment, which typically does not include many Gorkhas, eventually climbing up to become a Lieutenant General responsible for commanding one of the key units positioned near the Line of Actual Control. His military service concluded when he served as the Military Secretary (MS).

The book brims with personal stories and short narratives that recount his experiences and perspective on life. It explores the essence of the Gorkha people—illuminating their cultural practices, heritage, and migration history leading them to integrate into India. The narrative examines the Indian Gorkha community’s struggle with identity confusion, significant hardships endured, and pursuit of territorial belonging. Additionally, it offers an impartial examination of Indo-Nepalese relations.

With experience from anti-terrorism and counter-insurgency missions in Jammu and Kashmir and India’s Northeast, along with serving as the defense attaché in Myanmar, Gurung explores an extensive range of topics in this book that previous works have overlooked regarding these areas.

In a community renowned more for bravery than intellectual prowess, this book traces the journey of an individual who served three times in the MS Branch. It delves into the obstacles encountered along his way and details how he managed to surmount these hurdles.

Gurung, who graduated from the National Defence Academy in Khadakwasla and the Indian Military Academy in Dehradun, received his commissioning into the Grenadiers in June 1975.