“Instinct of Service Never Retires”: Brig BD Mishra on Duty, Destiny, and the Making of Nation’s Calling

Fauji Days: You’ve titled your memoir Nation’s Calling. When you look back now, what does that phrase mean to you—is it a sense of duty, destiny, or faith?

Brig Mishra: For me, Nation’s Calling is a sense of responsibility that encompasses duty, destiny, and faith, all woven together. It reflects the inner voice that has always been my guide. I have always believed that every action, every decision, must serve something larger than the self. I have always believed that duty and destiny are inseparable when guided by that higher sense of purpose.

Fauji Days: Your early chapters describe growing up in Kathua, the challenges even as you were studying in school and college, and the values instilled during your formative years. How did those roots prepare you for the rigours of a soldier’s life? Do you see your fellow faujis also being deeply shaped by their early years and family?

Brig Mishra: The early years of one’s life and the family atmosphere always influence what follows. In my own case, growing up in an environment of discipline and respect for elders built the foundation of resilience. These values remained with me at every turn in life. I have seen the same in most soldiers. The imprint of early life remains. The lessons learnt about honesty, patience, and collective duty at home often define how they live their lives.

Fauji Days: You’ve witnessed India’s defining military moments—from 1962 and 1971 to the counter-insurgency years in the Northeast. Which of these left the deepest personal impact on you, and why?

Brig Mishra: Each of these experiences left a distinct and tangible mark on me. The 1962 war exposed the cost of unpreparedness and the immense courage of men who fought despite the odds. The 1971 war was a moment of redemption and pride, showing what resolve and planning can achieve. The counter-insurgency operations in the Northeast tested endurance, patience, and understanding of people. Together, they shaped my outlook towards service, sacrifice, and the constant need to evolve in the nation’s interest.

Fauji Days: The 1962 war often evokes feelings of shock and unpreparedness. In your account, you focus instead on the resilience of soldiers. How do you think that experience reshaped India’s military psyche?

Brig Mishra: The 1962 war was a turning point. It woke up India militarily. From that time onward, the realisation grew that national security demands constant readiness, investment, and respect for the armed forces.

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Fauji Days: You were part of the NSG or the Black Cat Commandos during a defining phase of India’s counter-terror evolution. You’ve written that morale could be lifted “simply by presence at the crisis spot.” What does leadership under extreme pressure mean to you, and how do you balance command authority with emotional reassurance?

Brig Mishra: In combat, troops draw strength from their leader’s presence, his composure, confidence, and conduct in moments of pressure. A leader must radiate calm assurance, especially when the situation is uncertain. But leadership isn’t about distance or authority alone; it’s about connection. Reaching out to the last combatant down the organisational ladder, albeit without interfering with the junior commanders’ operational planning and battle initiative, was my approach in combat actions.

Fauji Days: Your account of Operation Ashwamedh—the hijacking rescue—stands out as a moment of precision, restraint, and courage. Despite unfavourable circumstances, mishaps along the way, and the lives of innocent civilians at stake, you and your team did not lose composure. What leadership principles guided you in such a high-stakes crisis?

Brig Mishra: In such situations, involvement and commitment are everything. You have to be fully immersed in the mission and connected with your troops at every level. Preparation gives you confidence, but it is the shared sense of purpose that gives you steadiness. We operated with clarity, patience, and restraint, knowing that even a second’s haste could cost innocent lives. Leadership in that environment meant leading from the front, ensuring that every man felt part of the collective responsibility.

Fauji Days: You volunteered for the Kargil War despite seniority and age, and such an act underlines a lifelong commitment to the nation. What compelled you to return to active operations at that stage?

Brig Mishra: For me, soldiering is not about age or rank; it is about the response to the nation’s call. When Kargil happened, I felt that my experience could contribute to the effort. The instinct of service never retires. Wanting to return to the front was a result of my lifelong belief that when the nation faces a challenge, every capable hand must come forward.

Fauji Days: In your memoir, you often expand the idea of soldiering beyond combat—into civic duty, governance, and ethical leadership. How do you define ‘service’ in the broader sense today?

Brig Mishra: A soldier’s duty does not end at the battlefield. The same spirit must guide civic conduct, governance, and leadership in public life. Service is about giving more than you take, about placing the nation’s welfare above personal comfort. That mindset, once cultivated, extends naturally into every sphere of responsibility.

Fauji Days: You’ve served as Governor of Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, and Meghalaya, and as Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh—each region with its own cultural and geopolitical complexities. How did your years in uniform influence your approach to governance and civilian administration in such diverse frontier states?

Brig Mishra: My years in uniform taught me that understanding people is the key to any form of leadership. In governance, as in soldiering, you must connect with people’s sensitivities and aspirations. Each region has its own culture and rhythm, and listening to the people is the first step towards effective administration. The discipline of the Army helped me bring clarity, punctuality, and fairness to civil roles, but empathy was equally important. Governance, in that sense, is an extension of service.

Fauji Days: Having served as the Governor in insurgency-affected areas like Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh, what lessons did you draw about the human side of conflict and about winning trust over territory?

Brig Mishra: The biggest lesson is that peace cannot be imposed. It must be nurtured through trust. In conflict zones, people often carry generations of fear, suspicion, and hurt. Winning them over requires patience and sincerity, not just force. Development, communication, and respect for local traditions go a long way in restoring confidence. You cannot separate security from humanity. Once people feel they are heard and respected, stability follows naturally.

Fauji Days: In your gubernatorial tenures, you’ve often engaged directly with issues of border security, development, and youth aspirations. What do you believe are the most urgent priorities for India’s frontier regions today, and how can a soldier’s perspective help address them?

Brig Mishra: The soldier’s perspective is critical for border areas. They must be shared by everyone, soldiers, civil administration, and society alike. These regions need infrastructure, education, and a sense of inclusion. At the same time, national security cannot be compromised. A soldier’s mindset brings focus, coordination, and accountability. It reminds us that every decision in these areas must serve both human development and territorial integrity. Only when both go hand in hand can border states truly prosper.

Fauji Days: You write of chivalry—not as an old-fashioned ideal but as a living ethic. How can today’s younger officers and citizens revive that sense of moral discipline and honour in everyday life?

Brig Mishra: For the younger generation, that begins with national commitment. It is the belief that the nation comes first. Honour, discipline, and compassion are not outdated; they are timeless. These values should be reflected in how one treats colleagues, respects laws, and serves society. When each citizen adopts this ethic, the collective moral fibre of the nation becomes stronger.

Fauji Days: In Nation’s Calling, you write movingly about your wife’s quiet strength in managing home and children through years of uncertainty while you were in the field. How did her resilience shape your own sense of duty and peace of mind as a soldier? Do you think the sacrifices of military families receive enough recognition today?

Brig Mishra: My wife’s ability to manage home and family through long absences and uncertainty allowed me to focus fully on my duty. It taught me that service is not an individual act; it is a shared journey. Unfortunately, the contribution of military families is still not adequately recognised. They are equal partners in nation-building, and their quiet sacrifices sustain the soldier’s courage in ways that are often unseen but deeply felt.

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Fauji Days: The book balances candour with restraint, and despite the plethora of books, it is still rare in military writing. Was it difficult to decide how much to reveal and how much to leave to the reader’s reflection?

Brig Mishra: I have presented facts as they were, with clarity and honesty. That, I feel, is the greatest value of my writing. Balance comes naturally when one’s intention is to inform and inspire rather than to impress.

Fauji Days: If there is one lesson you would want future generations to take from Nation’s Calling, what would it be?

Brig Mishra: Nation first. Everything else follows from that. If one remains committed to this principle, clarity of thought and purpose never wavers. Circumstances change due to technology, politics, and globalisation, but the idea of responsibility to the nation is timeless. That belief gives direction to life.

As Nation’s Calling reminds us, service to the nation transcends ranks and retirements; it is a lifelong commitment that shapes character and country alike. Brig BD Mishra’s story is not just that of a soldier or a statesman, but of an Indian who answered the call of duty at every stage of life.

Through his reflections on leadership, moral courage, and nation-first values, his memoir stands as both a historical chronicle and a personal testament to the spirit of the Indian Armed Forces. For readers seeking insight into what it truly means to serve with honour, Nation’s Calling is a compelling reminder that the heart of soldiering beats long after the uniform is hung.