Merchant Navy officer launches comic book series on Kargil war heroes to make GenX aware of 'real life' sacrifices
Merchant Navy officer launches comic book series on Kargil war heroes to make GenX aware of 'real life' sacrifices
Move aside Spiderman, Superman and Batman. Here comes Kargilman, a real war hero, to rule the comic stands.
Aditya Bakshi, a 29-year-old Merchant Navy officer has opted for a graphic take on the Kargil war to make the GenX aware of the country's real heroes.
"Comics are an important part of every child's growth. As kids, we idiolised fictional characters from comic books. I want the next generation to be inspired by real heroes who have sacrificed comforts and even their lives to protect us," said Bakshi.
Vikram Batra takes on Superman
While his first comic book on Capt Vikram Batra, the young officer who was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra, India's highest award for valour, for his bravery during the Kargil war, was published last year; Bakshi is working on five more graphic novels on the lives of Indian soldiers. "I started my series last year and had planned only one novel on Vikram Batra. But the overwhelming response I received made me rethink my plan. My father, a retired major general, inspired me to take this up as a mission," said Bakshi. His father, Major General (retd) GD Bakshi, feels comics can make any incident interesting, specially an action sequence from a war.
First assault: The cover and sections from Bakshi's first comic novel
on Capt Vikram Batra
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"In the 70s, Amar Chitra Katha comics revived Indian mythologies. And children from that period became familiar with those tales. But if we want our children to be inspired by events from the recent past, our soldiers are the best option. A light-hearted and graphic approach can easily teach youngsters the value of duty, honour and patriotism. These can't be spoon-fed in classrooms," said Major General (retd) GD Bakshi.
Now in colour
Though Bakshi's first book, Yeh Dil Maange More, on Capt Vikram Batra, was in black and white, his next creations will be published with coloured illustrations. "This time we are concentrating on technical details. We are trying to bring the cost of the novels down to make them more popular," he said.
While Bakshi researches and prepares the script of the novel, he has roped in graphic artists for the final sketching and colouring. He is supported by his wife Namrata, who takes care of the graphics on computer. 
The cover of the second novel on Col N J Nair
"It's sad that the nation's real heroes are remembered only at the time of war. I want to popularise them in mass memory, make them more visible. Interestingly, I have found children are interested in war tales and a comic novel will make it easier for them to remember these incidents," said Bakshi.u00a0u00a0u00a0
Inspiring youngsters
Major General Bakshi feels this graphic initiative may inspire youngsters to join the forces in larger numbers. "I joined the Army during the 1971 war without letting my parents know. My elder brother was in the Army and he died fighting the enemy. In the 70s, joining the defence forces was the biggest honour for a young man.
Unfortunately, that spirit has seen a slow death, with youngsters looking for more lucrative avenues," he said.
They are next
Aditya Bakshi is planning his next novel on Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan from the National Security Guards, an Ashok Chakra awardee, who died fighting terrorists in Mumbai during the 26/11 attacks.
Next in line are: Captain Bana Singh, Param Vir Chakra awardee; Col NJ Nair, Ashok Chakra and Kirti Chakra recipient; Commando Sanjog Chhetri and 2nd Lieutenant Arun Khetrapal who won Param Vir Chakras for their bravery in the 1971 war.
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