Lt Gen Shakti Gurung's Memoir Celebrates Landmark Achievement for Gorkhas in Indian Army

In a significant cultural and military event, Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi recently received a memoir titled Breaking the Glass Ceiling: Memoirs of the Indian Army's First Ethnic Gorkha Lieutenant General, written by retired Lieutenant General Shakti Gurung. This book presentation marks not only a personal achievement for Lt Gen Gurung but also a historic milestone for the Gorkha community within India's military ranks.

The memoir chronicles Lt Gen Gurung's groundbreaking career as the first ethnic Gorkha to reach the rank of Lieutenant General in the Indian Army. His progression through the military hierarchy is depicted as one that challenged traditional norms of regimental affiliations. He notably served in the Grenadiers, a regiment not commonly associated with Gorkhas, demonstrating his leadership abilities across diverse military settings.

The book provides an in-depth account of his operational roles, primarily focusing on counter-terrorism efforts in Jammu & Kashmir and the Northeast of India. His command over a corps stationed along the Line of Actual Control lends strategic depth to his story, offering valuable insights into national defense and regional security issues.

Lt Gen Gurung is a graduate of the National Defence Academy and the Indian Military Academy. His career also includes a position as India’s defense attaché to Myanmar, adding a diplomatic facet to his military service. Through his memoir, he presents a rare perspective into the combat and leadership challenges he encountered throughout his extensive career.

The Gorkha community is renowned for its courage and significant contributions to the Indian Army, holding a revered position in the country's military history. Following the 1947 Tripartite Agreement between Britain, India, and Nepal, Gorkha regiments have been involved in every major conflict since independence and were the first to receive the Ashok Chakra Class I in 1948.

Lt Gen Gurung's book is anticipated to become an important resource for military officers in training, historians, and defense analysts. It is also expected to inspire young individuals from the Gorkha community and beyond, fostering a broader understanding of the evolving role of ethnic diversity in the armed forces.