Wings of Valour by Swapnil Pandey is a stirring tribute to the indomitable spirit of the Indian Air Force. With her signature blend of heartfelt storytelling and journalistic authenticity, Pandey lifts the veil on a world often seen only through the lens of headlines and parades. What does it truly take to soar into hostile skies, rescue lives in impossible terrains, or survive captivity in enemy territory? This book answers those questions with gripping realism and deep empathy.
Drawing from her travels across airbases and her conversations with hundreds of Air Warriors — from fighter pilots and helicopter crews to Garud commandos and decorated veterans — Pandey constructs a mosaic of courage that is both intimate and grand. Each chapter is a reminder that behind the gleaming aircraft and roaring engines are men and women of flesh and blood — driven by duty, bonded by camaraderie, and willing to risk everything for the tricolour.
Unlike many military narratives that romanticize war, Wings of Valour finds its strength in authenticity. The stories of Kargil heroes, daring rescue missions, and life-or-death decisions at 30,000 feet are narrated with respect, precision, and heart. Pandey’s prose is cinematic yet grounded, her admiration for the Air Force evident but never overwhelming.
Published by HarperCollins, ‘Wings of Valour’ will be released on 8 October on SoftCover, ThePrint’s online platform for launching non-fiction books.
Swapnil Pandey is a nationally acclaimed, bestselling author renowned for her deeply researched and evocative narratives on the Indian Armed Forces. Published by leading international houses such as HarperCollins India and Penguin Random House, her works have resonated with millions of readers worldwide. Her 2023 release, Balidan: Stories of India’s Greatest Para Special Forces Operatives, a gripping account of the heroic exploits of the Indian Para Special Forces, achieved national bestseller status within a month of publication. Earlier, The Force Behind the Forces (2021) marked a milestone in Indian military literature, offering a powerful portrayal of war widows with rare depth and sensitivity.
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