Captain Neikezhakuo Kengurüse, an officer of the second battalion of the Rajputana Rifles, was appointed as the commander of the ‘Ghatak Platoon’, during the Kargil war; which took place between India and Pakistan from May-June 1999. The platoon’s job was to evict Pakistani infiltrators from the Drass Sector, who had established a gun post at the Black Rock.
Soon the soldiers led by Captain Kengurüse reached great height, however they were not able to climb the last cliff; due to the weather conditions the soldiers were continuously slipping. Disregarding the temperature (-10 degree celsius) the Captain, took off his shoes and socks and started climbing the cliff and reached its top. The post was captured by the Indian army but 25-year-old Captain Neikezhakuo Kengurüse, who had died just 10 minutes prior from the capturing, was not able to witness it.
The book ‘Nimbu Saab: The Barefoot Naga Kargil Hero’ is an endeavour to recount the sacrifice of this unsung Kargil war hero who gave his all first, to his family in Nagaland and then, to his nation. Born in a poor family Neikezhakuo Kengurüse faced many hardships in his life, but never succumbed. He cleared the Combined Defence Services exam and joined the Indian army. His colleagues often found it difficult to pronounce his name which is why they affectionately started calling him ‘Nimbu Saab’.
Published by HarperCollins India, ‘Nimbu Saab: The Barefoot Naga Kargil Hero’ by Neha Dwivedi, Diksha Dwivedi with Neingutoulie Kenguruse, will be released on 22 June on SoftCover, ThePrint’s online venue to launch non-fiction books.
On the occasion of the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Kargil war, the authors Neha and Diksha Dwivedi; daughters of Major C.B. Dwivedi — another Kargil war hero, have come together with the younger brother of Maha Vir Chakra recipient Nimbu Saab, Neingutoulie Kenguruse to tell us his story.
Neha Dwivedi is a doctor and founder of Happy Birth-day; a brand dedicated towards helping new parents throughout pregnancy, birth and post-partum phases. She completed her medical degree from Lady Hardinge Medical College. She has authored two other books — ‘The Lone Wolf: The Untold Story of the Rescue of Sheikh Hasina’ and ‘Vijyant at Kargil’.
Diksha Dwivedi a powerful storyteller herself has helped several others in sharing their narratives through her ventures — YOSO Media and AkkarBakkar.com. She is also the author of ‘Letters from Kargil’ and has completed her master’s in journalism from Cardiff University.
The executive publisher Udayan Mitra appreciating the book mentioned they were ‘proud to bring Nimbu Saab’s incredible story to readers.’ He said, ‘stories like Nimbu Saab’s are forgotten too soon and too often.’ Recounting the sacrifice of the 25-year-old Naga warrior he added ‘the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Kargil War this July is an apt occasion to remember and celebrate the bravehearts of Kargil.’
Also read: Love in the times of Kargil War, Army tales & traditions at a Delhi book launch