Nimbu Saab: The Barefoot Naga Kargil Hero by Neha Dwivedi and Diksha Dwivedi

Book Review

Nimbu Saab: The Barefoot Naga Kargil Hero is an evocative and stirring narrative of courage, resilience, and patriotism. Written by Neha Dwivedi and Diksha Dwivedi, it is a first-person account of the persona of Captain Neikezhakuo Kengurüse alias Nimbu Saab by his brother Neingutoulie Kengurüse. The book delves into the unique life of an unsung hero, Captain Neikezhakuo Kengurüse from Nagaland, whose valiant feats during the Kargil War of 1999 remain a testament to the indomitable spirit of the Indian armed forces. With a title that hints at the simplicity yet profound strength of the protagonist, the book invites readers into a world where duty and honour are paramount.

The book is the journey of a simple, religious and devoted, rural youth from Nagaland, whose actions during one of India’s most intense military confrontations would go on to become legendary and earn him a singular status. An officer of the Indian Army’s 2nd Rajputana Rifles, Nimbu Saab (as he was fondly known in his unit due to the not-so-common birth name and similarity to his nick name Neibu) left a legacy of unparalleled courage, selflessness, and the deep-rooted bond he shared with his comrades and the nation. A man of humble background, belonging to Nagaland, a state which was historically at odds with the Republic of India, he made his actions count to make a monumental contribution to the inclusivity of his home state and the whole of Northeast in the national narrative.

What makes Nimbu Saab: The Barefoot Naga Kargil Hero so persuasive and gripping to read is the way the authors harmonize with the protagonist’s own brother to cite personal anecdotes and hardships the man went through before being selected for admission to the Indian Military Academy, taking the reader through the deep emotional struggle a soldier and his family go through. The first-hand narrative of Neingutoulie Kengurüse, the brother, assimilates the reader into Nimbu Saab’s family. The book paints Naga society honestly, neither preaching nor taking sides, depicting the stark realities of the life in the Naga hills in 1980s and 1990s.

The writing of Neha Dwivedi and Diksha Dwivedi is both poetic and precise. The duo, daughters of another Kargil Braveheart, Major C B Dwivedi, who fell fighting and was decorated with Sena Medal, has pronounced their emotional connect in their intense research of the topic. The critical role played by Captain Neikezhakuo Kengurüse in recapturing Area Black Rock, when he led his men barefoot into combat at temperatures below 10 degrees Celsius, is thoroughly focussed on. Killed in action, he was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra, India’s second highest gallantry award, for his exemplary valour. The themes of sacrifice, loyalty and patriotism run throughout the text, making it not just a war story but a tribute to the unsung heroes who have often been somewhat overlooked by the mainstream media and historical narratives.

Beyond the combat, the book also captures the emotional and psychological impact it had on the soldiers involved. The nuances of soldiering, the camaraderie among soldiers and the challenges they face, not only in the battlefield but in their personal lives, are all graphically depicted. There is an inherent simplicity yet toughness in Nimbu Saab’s character—he was a man of few words but of tremendous grit. The bare-feet battling at Kargil exemplified the commitment and innovative leadership of the 25-year-old brave son of Nagaland.

The words of his brother in this passage from the book, express it all: “I would say that Neibu was just an ordinary man, not a genius or a saint, but he chose to be the exception. He chose to be hardworking…. His circumstances were not an excuse for him. He chose not the smooth-sailing road but the difficult and bumpy one, for he knew what lay beyond.”

Nimbu Saab: The Barefoot Naga Kargil Hero is a powerful and fitting tribute to all our Bravehearts who made the supreme sacrifice in the Kargil War, on the occasion of its 25th anniversary. Kudos to the authors and the narrator, Neingutoulie Kengurüse.

Nimbu Saab: The Barefoot Naga Kargil Hero
HarperCollins India (22 June 2024)
Paperback: 224 pages
Price: Rs. 300