The Vanguards of Azad Hind

by Gayathri Ponvannan

“The Vanguards of Azad Hind” by Gayathri Ponvannan. Published by Penguin. A gripping story paying tribute to the brave soldiers of the Azad Hind Fauj particularly the Rani of Jhansi regiment under the befitting leadership of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.

The story starts in 1943 in British India. Kayal is a sixteen year old girl living in Madras and taking part in the freedom struggle. She goes on protest marches, burns British goods and sabotages trains without the knowledge of her parents who are against all this. She suddenly finds herself being pushed into a marriage alliance with seventeen year old Shiva against her wishes. She wants to study further and become a doctor in addition to taking part in the freedom struggle. Much to her consternation, she isn’t brave enough to defy her parents either.

Amidst her turmoil, Kayal finds out that her aunt Uma (a plantation owner from Malaya who is living with them upon fleeing from Japanese) is a commander no less in the all volunteer Azad Hind Fauj or Indian National Army (INA). She has never had an inkling of the existence of this army or the fact that women are also part of it. By a stroke of unexpected luck, Uma agrees to take Kayal to Calcutta and then Burma to an INA recruitment camp. What is Kayal going to experience during this journey? Will it change her life? Does she join the INA? Will her parents approve? What happens to Shiva?  Read the coming of age story of these teenagers and what they get to witness in this tumultuous period of history when they get into the thick of action for the sake of a free India!

My eight year old son and I thoroughly enjoyed reading the book. He says that it changed his life! I for one don’t know what he means by this enigmatic statement. What I know is that he looks up to Netaji who is his favourite freedom fighter. So the book proved to be perfectly timed for him to read as he had read the Amar Chitra Katha book on Netaji in the recent past. Though it is for a slightly higher age group (12 and above), I decided to read it aloud to him as the topic was of interest. We were hooked to the story right from the start. The book was unputdownable to say the least! Packed with action and adventure, it gave us a glimpse into the military boot camps that were set up in Burma and the lives of the soldiers. Most of them were Indians who had lived outside India all their lives. They all got together for the cause of liberating their motherland and had great faith and trust in their able leader Netaji. Overall a MUST READ!

The courage, determination, passion and feistiness of the characters are so inspiring leaving one feeling a sense of pride for witnessing them in action. Despite mid-term exams looming over his head, my son ensured that we read the book everyday and finished it within 4-5 sittings. Nowadays I hear him humming the INA anthem “Qadam Qadam Badhaaye Jaa” with which the book starts.

Recommended Age

The book is recommended for children aged 12 and above. But can be read aloud with some explanations to a slightly younger child like we did.

Reasons to Read

The book gives a glimpse into the lives of the soldiers who were part of the INA (the Rani of Jhansi regiment in particular) and their unwavering faith and trust in the vision of Netaji.

Where to buy from?

An independent bookstore, Funky Rainbow, from where I buy many of my books.

Disclaimer - We received this book from the publisher, Penguin India, for review. Thank you to Greeshma and Mansi, from Penguin, for sending across the book!