Shoot, Dive, Fly - Rachna Bisht Rawat - Why this will make an ideal read for teens and parents!

Most of the time when it comes to gift ideas for teens, I feel lost. After reading this book, I think I've found the ideal present for the inquisitive teenager, especially the kid who is on the cusp of making the career choice. This book by Rachna Bisht Rawat is just perfect. You not only get to read real stories of bravado, adventure, and whatnot but you also get information on the various opportunities one can get if they look in the direction of the Armed Forces. Simple yet engaging language, unputdownable to say the least.

This was the short review I wrote as soon as I finished a few chapters in the book. After having read it fully and having digested it, I think I can write a slightly longer review.

I wish I could have read this book during my teens and that would have helped me take a different decision about my career. As kids from middle-class families struggling with cash flow, this would have been a great help. Nevertheless, we have our kids to guide now and hope not to repeat the same mistakes.

Now coming back to the book, each chapter in it is dedicated to a brave who has done some mind-blowing stuff in the Army as a part of their career. Just reading through their stories gives you goosebumps and chills in equal measure.

Rachna ma'am does a great job at capturing the essence of each story - has the heroes themselves narrate their stories. Her style of narration is great, captivating in fact. When you read the quotes from the soldiers themselves, it connects instantly.

Before I forget, you have something about MSD as well. ;)

There are many life lessons that you can take from the stories and also take in information about the various opportunities the Armed Forces, especially the Army offers young men and women.

I particularly loved reading Capt Mohd Haseeb Khan's story because it gives you a peek into what life is like for a GC (Gentleman Cadet) inside the OTA. I have passed by the OTA at Chennai many a time, especially when I used to arrive by flight to the city, and always wondered how life was inside for a cadet. So this was one of the most exciting chapters for me.

You also have stories of Cartoos Saahib - you need to read about him, the man deserves to be known; Major Singh, India's first blade runner, the TA officer who also works in the government service - the right balance of everything you need to know. There are tidbits of information about the different segments within the Army that youngsters can explore, opportunities available to study, about the institutions, and so on. Read it to find out for yourself. I totally and thoroughly enjoyed reading it, and I am sure you will too.

I am sharing some quotes that I thought were very powerful and would help me face challenges in my life. 

Those lines Saare Jahan Se Acchcha, Hindustan Hamara just hit home!

What a man!

Resonated a lot with me!

Bang on!

Amazing clarity!

Conquer that fear! 

And that's how you move forward... Just stupendous

There are 21 stories, at lease one life lesson in each.

My key takeaways from the book (in fact anything related to soldiers, Army) is 

• You may be physically broken, but no one except yourself can break your spirit.
• I don't like to compare but sometimes it helps - compared to what each one of them in the book has gone through, our challenges in life might look tiny and this can work as a motivation to move forward and take the bull (challenge) by its horns. 
• Gives you a deeper insight into the world of the Army, the opportunities inside.
• There's a lot more to the Indian Army than we know.
• As parents, it would be great if we encourage our children to consider the Army as a possible career option too.
• The Army way of life is totally different from the civilians' way of life, the spirit of brotherhood, comradeship is engrained in each of them.
• The country and countrymen's safety is most important followed by that of one's paltan/men. 
• There were many who questioned the Agnipath scheme and cast aspersions about anti-national elements taking training and then going rogue, after reading the book, I know it will never happen. Indian Army boss!

There are pictures too - of each brave, and some more...

On the whole, a fabulous read - I love the author's style of writing so I may be biased), ideal gift for youngsters, adults can also read it and enjoy it equally. I wrote a very short review on the book named Kargil: Untold Stories from the War by the same author too. 

Have you read the book already? What are your thoughts? Let me know in the comments!