Publisher's Synopsis
This book is not an autobiography. It is a collection of my experiences covering a vast panorama, starting from a remote village in India, moving to a town for schooling, experiencing the devastating tragedies in the family at a tender age, witnessing the travails of people ousted from their home and hearth on the country's Partition in 1947, to joining the Indian Army.
I participated in both the Indo-Pak wars of 1965 and 1971. In 1965, while leading a tank troop, my tank was hit in which my operator was killed on the spot, and .I barely survived losing one eye. With this serious disability, I face all the rigors of army life and rise to the rank of Colonel to command an armored regiment and held various coveted senior appointments in the Indian Army. As if the loss of one eye was not the end of it all, ill-luck strikes me once again. In 1992, while still in service, in a freak accident I lost my second eye becoming totally blind. .Determined to regain my self-confidence, I traveled to South Africa where my daughter and her husband (both physicians) arranged for my rehabilitation .My fascinating experience of being able to move about on my own will be of interest to many readers. In due course, my son and daughter moved to the States and I too shifted to experience and enjoy the American way of life. I commend this book to those readers who may be interested in knowing the Indian culture, their ruler life, their perception of an American way of life and those who lauds the survival against odds. Across Seven Seas The Memoir of a War Veteran! This is the amazing life story of a remarkable man, who despite the loss of one eye in battle still rose to the rank of Colonel in the Indian Army before becoming totally blinded with the loss of his second eye. His story is told against the historic backdrop of the partition of India, the creation of Pakistan, the Indo-Pakistan Wars of 1965 and 1971 that created new countries out of pre-independence India. Colonel Virendra Swarup, fondly known as Viru to his friends and family, won the Wound Medal (equivalent to the US Purple Heart), commanded two saber squadrons of most famous regiment the Poona Horse (17th Queen Victoria's Own Cavalry) and the Roaring Fours (The Forty-Four Armored Regiment), and witnessed the creation of a new world. His is a poignant and courageous story and a celebration of life. This is not just a book for those interested in military history, the history of India and of the British role abroad but for anyone who applauds survival against the odds. Melissa Lumley London, UK This is the story of a down-to-earth soldier of the Indian Army, who on learning of the outbreak of war, cuts short his leave and hotfoots it to join his regiment; barely escaping death in action loses an eye; attains professional competence to command an armored regiment; while still in service loses his second eye. How with a never-say-die attitude, he tackled life's problems and even indulged in playing golf. He traveled all over the world and finally reached the US; his exposure to the American way of life is interesting. - Worth reading by active and enterprising persons. Colonel (Retired) Devinder Singh Grewal Chandigarh, India "First, let me say what an incredible life you've led. Sounds like a blockbuster movie with love, tragedy, war, passion, and overcoming obstacles. Encouraging indeed..." Debbie USA "I am excited by your book; you have a natural talent for telling a story and you have many to tell in here". Ed Munson Canada
