This Indian Army Day, Hear the real life stories of India’s true heroes on “Yoddha”

The audio series discusses the real life battles of soldiers who have fought and given their lives in service of the country

Until the independence of India, the head of Indian Army used to be the British. Army Day is observed on 15 January every year in India, in recognition of Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa's taking over as the first Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army from General Sir Francis Butcher on 15 January 1949.

Keeping the pride of India and it’s glorious army in mind, Yoddha is a 30-episode series from Audible Suno created and performed by Neelesh Misra. This series celebrates the bravery of the Indian Armed Forces, chronicling soldiers’ fierce sense of duty against impossible odds. The stories also reveal their personal lives and sacrifice and the courage of their family members.

Some of the stories mentioned are:

Black Tornado

This is the story of the 2008 Mumbai attacks and of Sandeep Unnikrishnan, an officer in the Indian Army serving in the elite Special Action Group of the National Security Guards. He was martyred in action during the attacks. He was consequently awarded the Ashoka Chakra, India's highest peacetime gallantry award, on 26 January 2009.

Ghaatak:

This is the story of Subedar Major Yogendra Singh Yadav, a Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) of the Indian Army, who was awarded the highest Indian military honor, the Param Vir Chakra for his bravery during the Kargil War. He was part of the leading team of Ghaatak Platoon, tasked to capture Tiger Hill on 4 July 1999. Aged 19 when he received the decoration, he is recorded as the youngest person to ever be awarded the Param Vir Chakra.

Turup ka Ekka:

This is the story of Lance Naik Albert Ekka, who was a soldier in the Indian Army. He was martyred in action in the Battle of Hilli, during the Indo-Pakistan War of 1971. He was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra, India's highest award for valour in the face of the enemy. His commanding officer called him "Turup Ka Ikka/Ekka", meaning Ace of Trump card.

Belated Parcel:

This is the story of Major Satish Dahiya, a young officer from 30 Rashtriya Rifles who died fighting the militants in Kupwara's Handwara area, but not before killing Abu Darda, a top Lashkar commander. Two more militants were killed in the subsequent gunfight. Major Dahiya, who hailed from Haryana, is survived by his wife and their two-and-a half-year-old daughter. Majors wife received a surprise parcel sent by her husband on the unfortunate day of his death, which was Valentine’s, 14th February.