This book is a collection of diaries of Dr Suman Kumar
Kasturi, an air veteran. At the beginning of the book, the narrator, who is the
author himself, narrates on the last working day of his Indian Air Force
Service. Life, half-planned, is before him. Future, as yet half-glimpsed, like
the evanescent greenery on the bank of a river that leads his thoughts running,
makes of the narrator for a long while an exile from his hometown, from his
parents, his friends and extended family, and most importantly from his desired
life itself. And his passion to prove himself in the civil domain is the
catalyst that makes him go back over the same ground to all that which he had
turned his back on.
As measured by any civilian counterpart, the life of a soldier is very abstruse and perplexed. Hardly, the general public grasps the trait of service above self effected by the members of the Armed Forces. Palpably, the general public barely commiserates the freedom they enjoy as attributable to the efforts of soldiers. This book is purely based on the facts from the diaries of the author — typical memoirs of an air warrior. As one reads through the book, righteously armed forces veterans would correlate them through the author’s journey while serving air warriors could draw motivation. As well, the general public might appreciate the lives of soldiers — precisely of an air warrior!
I am immensely happy about sharing the update on my recent book, "The Guided Missile: Memoirs of An Air Warrior." After undertaking a few academic projects, I strongly felt that I should comprehensively attempt to give a shape to my air force memories, despite the fact that I comprehend the very fact that the memoirs of a soldier could veer into hagiography only if the soldier is given carte blanche to express his views. After seeking the formal approval from the competent authorities, the book has finally been published and available in the market. Shortly, the book will be available in the e-commerce websites such as Amazon and Flipkart. In this milieu, I earnestly ask you to shower your love and affection and wish this project, my first-ever attempt in this zona, a grand success! My sincere thanks to my friend and well-wisher, Navin Maranatha Nayar, a gallantry award winning Air Force Aviator for his foreword to my book. You can find introduction to the book as well as the publisher details at the following link https://sumankasturi.com/communicator/my-books/guided/ Though the price of the book is 350/- you can grab your copy @ 250/- (inclusive of postal charges) by directly requesting the publisher against trade/author's discount by sending WhatsApp request to +918586876644 and quoting my name in the message. Shortly, I shall update you on the online links for buying the book. Thank you!!
It is rare for Air Warriors to write their Memoires. In inking the papyrus the only thing that obstructs is perhaps the inertia and security concerns. The Memoires of Dr Suman Kumar Kasturi PhD is, therefore, a welcome change to the trend. The focus of a memoir is a tricky business and there are opinions galore. This quandary weighs in heavily in favour of either personal or professional experiences. The ultimate decision remains with the author and his targeted audience. Dr Suman Kumar Kasturi PhD achieves this through a healthy mix of personal and professional incidents, which have chartered his early years followed by a distinguished career. Air warriors are a different breed of soldiers altogether. These free-thinking, dedicated, highly professional and competent Individuals perform each task with utmost finesse. Right through the course of Dr Suman’s journey, his close family links, deep bonds with those he served with, and faith and reliance on the ‘team’ that he served with are evident. This trait finds resonance in the chapter, “To be the Manful Missile Man”. For soldiers, there is a thin line between being ‘candid’ and ‘cribbing’, and Dr Suman Kasturi walks the line. The value of memoirs written by Air Warriors is immense for future generations. We are exceptionally fortunate in the quality of such reminiscences. One hopes that this trend will finally establish a tradition in the pursuit of sharing personal experiences, views, ideas, historical events, and policy recommendations in the future as well. This is a book that sets forth a model worthy of emulation.
‘The Guided Missile’ is a collection of personal memories and life events of the Author, a sort of autobiography. His narrating the conditions that prevailed at home while schooling, ordeals he faced after that, the process of getting selected into Air Force, ecstatic feelings of patriotism while in service for almost 2 decades and the life after discharge, all keep you engaged, as though he is talking to you vividly describing everything. From his writing style one can easily understand that he is both a voracious reader, a regular writer and a best story teller. I eagerly waited for this book to arrive and I reserved a whole Sunday exclusively for reading it. Thoroughly enjoyed. A soldier’s life is a life filled with pride and dignity, valour and courage and even sacrifices. Such life is a boon making others feel envious. An air warrior, a communicator, a media educator, an academic – all rolled into one, Dr Suman is a missile himself guided by his own dreams. - Babji
The Guided Missile Memoirs of Air Warrior is truly honest to the hilt. There are many twists n turns in his Tryst with the Air Field. His Journey with true element of Adventure n high spirits of touching the Skies. The diary unfolds from one Training Station to another n has the Reader in grips as what next n in his training manages to balance between his very strict disciplined Air Career n his Academic pursuits. Later half of the book of how he encountered the unfortunate mishaps ,hardships having entered into Family life. With the dint of his courage ,self determination combated the severe conditions .There are the trying n traumatic situations which he combated with the support of his Air Force comrades Salute his comrades for rescuing his child who was in critical conditions. A touching lesson to be learnt for the civilians. As I am watching the rescue operations on the TV by the Army in Kerala who saved a young boy from cliffhanger I endorse that the Forces are ready to risk their life for any human being. His present profession enlightens the reader to go thru life's trials n yet be strong n composed. Embrace Life n live life to the fullest .
Now Kargil War Started ......I am on page no. 100 of Suman's 📖 Book. Really Guys it's well written in optimal level of literature...well explaining life of we air warriors... its there well noted content.. of life of yours and me... with names of all individuals and dates. It will take you on surfing 🏄♂️ on waves of your times and emotions.....all of us life story is some or less is same... We all are some what same in state of stupidity, intelligence and integrity to our nation and our people. More over he has done good work of record keeping behalf of us. A book about journey of your half -life time, which will motivate and will give immense satisfaction...of travel made. We must have a copy of it in our book shelf.👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
The book “The Guided Missile” penned by Dr Suman Kasturi. The collection of his sweet memories as an Air Force personnel.
The book I feel a quasi autobiography of the author divided into two parts viz pre and post entry to the Air Force.
As a boy of teenage , during 90’s his ambition in life and his Economic problems of a middle class family, further most the adjustment in life clearly depicted by the author Dr. Suman. There are very natural and common occasions where a middle class family boywith a determination travels without a ‘Pie’ and shares one cup of tea with his friend just to save money.
The author has clearly shown the mentality of friends of the same age, who is determined to join his friend into Air Force after taking the test so lightly.
After the entry to the forces from civil life, the author has shown his dedication towards his job and he was slowly moulded by forces what is expected to be His first posting as Bengaluru. And his night duties takes you to the nostalgic memories after reading a horror novel and sleeping alone.
The “Sagar Hotel” at Majestic reminds me also my first posting in Syndicate Bank Zonal Office Bengaluru, Gandhi Nagar where the “Sagar Hotel” is situated used have my lunch Two Idlies and Vada every afternoon for a month (Just to save money) and I laugh myself now when the waiter serves the same menu the moment I enter the hotel without ordering any thing and my first salary for Es 2226/- IN THE May 1990 (7-5-1990 to 31-5-1990).
The ‘Chapati Haircut’ which is a common phenomena to watch such guys in and around Majestic during Saturdays & Sunday without further identification and scrutiny that they are from Forces.
The sincere teaching staff and higher authorities who are disciplined in their profession and equally good in allowing their subordinates to go on leave, to pursue their further studies.
The posting at New Delhi and Bathinda which has changed the author to a tree ‘Air Force Man’ and his zeal to work in other areas though he is new to the area. The accident that he met when he was just married and wife who is yet to adjust the social life the caravan of friends who have helped him.
Further the toughest posting at Srinagar and witnessing the first snow fall in life and reaching office and carrying the duties.
Life in Pune with wife and slowly getting an idea to quit and serve the age old parents, whom for his stay and ultimately reporting the civil life after serving the nation for almost 19 years.
Entire 19 years of service his dedication towards his Nation as a soldier more by a disciplined soldier which has nurtured him.
The author has command on the language, which has added more sweet to the book.
His desire to pen his memories have fallen from the bottom of his heart hence a true soldier his resentment towards the civil life may not be liked others where the author has written, “ I wonder if the the same episode would have occurred in the civilian area what could have been the situation”
The author has shown his love and care for the elders who always a guiding factors to as presently neutral families have forgotten. His crave for the elders to live with them “of course not having an elderly person with us was the reason for the occurrence of the entire episode”
I have truly enjoyed the book though I am not from the same area I wish some more books from his pen.
Dear Dr Suman, I have read the book completely and it is a very interesting one. Actually I expected that we (civilians) may know some details of Air force. As you have mentioned in the very beginning, due to restrictions imposed by the armed forces code, you did not go into details. I would like to share some of the points noted by me as under. 1. Page 3, para 2. The para has described sun rise in a poetic way; I liked it. 2. Page 3 to page 11. The last day of your service is a memorable day and you have described very well, covering all details. Sequence of events at specified times was presented well. I may say that these pages resemble a SCREEN PLAY. 3. Page 26 to page 25. Men will remember 2 things for a long time. a. Very miserable times and b. very happy moments in life. I think you will never forget your stay in Hyderabad for attending the recruitment test. Account of limited money. Sleeping on floor on a winter night are really painful. 4. Page 26. Reporting to a training center. All the procedures have been explained in details. 5. Page 43, Para 4 and 2nd line. I had the bread slices and returned to billet to have a shower. ( to is missing ). 6. Page 44. Were you required to fall in even after 2100 hrs? 7. Page 47, para 4. “Need to not mention that every action taken by the authority would have a convincing purpose”. I understood the meaning, but sentence formation could be different so that people understand it easily. I would like to clarify that I am not fluent in English, hence Point Nos 5 and 6 may be neglected. A dictionary on the table is a necessity, when we read your articles and books. 8. Page 9, para 3. Very Good. 9. Page 52 para 2 . In 1955 was Chanda nagar stop existed? Also I think train travels from Kacheguda. 10. Page 57 Para4. It is great to remember the names of your instructors and mention in your memories’. 11. Page 148 to 149. Feelings of a father - Very good. Probably you would have recorded them in a diary. 12. Page 185 to 188. Life styles and behavior of Air force personnel and civilians has been explained well.
