Ashok Kalyan Verma, retired in November 1991 after thirty-five years in the Rajput Regiment. He was commissioned in the 2nd Battalion which suffered grievous losses in the disastrous war with China in 1962 on the Nam Ka Chu in Arunachal. He was transferred to a new raising, 18 Rajput, in 1965. He later commanded this unit during the Bangladesh Liberation War as a Lt Col. He was awarded Mention-in-Despatches for his role in the battle of Akhaura. In subsequent service, he held staff and instructional appointments at the Staff College, College of Combat and National Defence College. He commanded a Brigade in Ladakh and 26 Inf Div in Jammu and Kashmir. As commander of the Higher Command Wing at Mhow during 1988-1990, he was continuously exposed to the critical analysis of military events, which included the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971. He was elected the Colonel of the Rajput Regiment forces in 1987 until his retirement. Since retirement, he has authored Rivers of Silence (Lancer Publishers) in 1997, Blood on the Snow-Kargil, a Critical Analysis (Manohar Book Service) in 2000 and has contributed a leading chapter in the book A Brief History of the Indian Army brought out by USI. As a keen naturalist he has contributed significantly to the Army’s efforts in the protection of wildlife during his service. He is now settled in Himachal, near Kullu. His son Kunal is a documentary film-maker and an author, and his daughter is a tour manager for select tourist groups.