In Quest of Freedom

Major General Ian Cardozo was commissioned into the 5th Gorkha Rifles (FF) and has taken part in the Sino-Indian war of 1962 and the Indo-Pak wars of 1965 and 1971. He is the first officer of the Indian Army to be awarded the Sena Medal for gallantry on a patrol on the Sino-Indian border in 1960. Wounded in the 1971 war, at Sylhet in Bangladesh, he overcame the handicap of an amputated limb and became the first disabled officer of the Indian Army to command an infantry battalion, a brigade and a division stationed in border areas. After retirement, he worked with disabled persons and was appointed Chairman of the Rehabilitation Council of India by the Government, an appointment which he held for nine years. His books 'Param Vir - Our Heroes in Battle' and 'The Sinking of INS Khukri' and his graphic novels chronicling the exploits of war heroes have been well-received and widely-acclaimed.The fate of nations during war depends on how well men fight, and these stories tell us how the Indian armed forces and the Mukti Bahini fought for the cause of freedom. Paradoxically, it is the value of 'Love' that was the motivating factor in this war of liberation - love for one's country, love for ones brothers in uniform, love for the people and love for freedom; for it is on the altar of love that men and women in uniform place their lives in the line of fire and are prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice, if need be, so that others may live. It is hoped that these stories inspire the youth of the country and motivate them to join the armed forces - a profession that has no equal.In Quest of Freedom is a compilation of first-hand accounts, narrating the experiences of armed forces personnel who took part in the war for the Liberation of Bangladesh in 1971, and fought against the tyranny of an arrogant and brutal regime.Part 1: Carnage in Bangladesh Part 2: The War on the Eastern Front Part 3: The War on the Western Front Part 4: The Air War Part 5: Maritime Operations