“I think it is very important as a country or even as a community for us to tell the stories of our heroes or forefathers to the generation of today. The feeling of “if they could do it, I could too”, in my opinion, goes a long way.”
– Neha Dwivedi
On 16th December 2021, India celebrated the fiftieth year of the 1971 Indo-Pak war, which led to the formation of Bangladesh. It was a thirteen-day war fought jointly by the Indian army and Bangladesh’s Mukti Bahini.
The 1971 war was an important event in the Southeast Asian region that shaped the course of history and altered the socio-political reality of the region. It had severe implications for the people of the region as well.
The book “The Lone Wolf: The Untold Story Of The Rescue Of Sheikh Hasina” draws from the early childhood and adolescent days of Colonel Ashok Tara to his days as a soldier. The book brings out many big and small memories from the childhood days of colonel Tara and what shaped him as a person.
It talks about how wit and smart negotiation by colonel Tara made the rescue of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rehman and his family possible. Documenting history is a great task. One needs to be careful of one’s record. Nevertheless, it is a powerful tool. It sets a narrative and connects us from our past.
Documenting history from different perspectives gives us an understanding of a past that had different meanings for different groups and helps us make sense of the present. It makes us compassionate and inclusive in the knowledge of our times. “The Lone Wolf” is a similar retelling.
Neha Dwivedi is an author, doctor, childbirth educator, IYCF specialist, and Lactation expert. Her second book, “The Lone Wolf: The Untold Story Of The Rescue Of Sheikh Hasina”, was published in November 2021 by Penguin Random House.
It is a biography of colonel Ashok Tara. He played a crucial role in negotiating with the Pakistan army during the rescue operation of Sheikh Mujibur Rehman and his family during the 1971 Indo- Pak war. We interviewed her to know more about her book and her motivation to write this book.
Nawal (N): What inspired you to write this book?
Neha Dwivedi (ND): Being a war hero and martyr’s daughter, I have always had a particular affinity for the many stories and unsung heroes whose stories remain untold. I had a chance to meet with the rescuer Col. Tara, as he was my friend’s neighbour. When I heard of his story, I instantly felt bad about not knowing it all this while I needed no other motivation
N: This is your second book. Your first book “Vijyant at Kargil”, was also a biography of a war hero. What do you think has shaped your interest?
ND: The more I get to know about the life stories of such heroes, the more I realize how they’re just like one of us, who end up doing extraordinary acts. I find their journeys fascinating and powerful enough to inspire those who read them.
ND: My source of information was Col. Tara himself, so all the stories of his life are authentic. I think he had great sources of inspiration in his own family, like his parents and grandparents.
I was particularly impressed by the values that he imbibed from them, for example, the fearlessness, love for the country, and rejection of superstitious beliefs. My favourite story, however, was the face-off with the wolf when he was a young boy.
N: How important is storytelling according to you? What role does language play in one’s life?
ND: I think it is very important as a country or even a community for us to tell the stories of their heroes or forefathers to the generation of today. The feeling of “if they could do it, I could too”, in my opinion goes a long way.
Language definitely plays a big role since it is the one medium that helps us understand these stories or communicate. Hence, I always try to keep mine simple and breezy to make sure it doesn’t become a barrier for anyone picking the book up.
I also hope that these books can get converted to different languages for them to be able to have a greater reach.
N: Can you take us through some crucial moments from the negotiations between Colonel Tara and the Pakistan army?
ND: I think all of them were crucial. However, the battle of Gangasagar and the rescue were definitely the most significant.
In the rescue, two of them are my favorite; one, when the guard at the gate of the house puts the tip of his gun at the bottom of his ribcage. I find his cool confidence at swiftly removing it from his body fascinating.
Two, I liked that he followed up on the promise of making sure that the Pak soldiers reached their HQs safely. I think that’s the difference between an upright Army and a rogue one.
N: How do you think the 1971 war shaped the Southeast Asian region?
ND: If I had to be honest, I would have wished that the need for such a war would never have risen. The catastrophe and sheer destruction that took place on innocent civilians can never be forgotten or justified. It snapped a country into two.
The cost was borne by many innocent people. I think even though they got “liberated”, we cannot say it without stating that they also got destroyed.
N: Your book is unique in a way. It shows a different side of the war. It talks about the importance of wit and words. But, unfortunately, this side of war is often ignored. What is your opinion on how war histories should be documented?
ND: I think the best way is through the eyes of the soldier who fights it. I don’t think there is any other way of keeping these stories authentic.
N: Any message that you would like to give to your readers?
ND: As they say, those who do not know of the history are bound to repeat it. I would say, make an effort to learn about history. Especially about these people, who do their duties to the peril of their life. Their stories deserve to be told and learned from. Never stop doing that.
Note: The author is part of the Dec ’21 batch of the Writer’s Training Program.