PVLF 2026

Interview with Rishi Raj, Author of “The Battlefield Diaries”

The Battlefield Diaries is a heartfelt tribute to India’s soil and soldiers—where memory, sacrifice, and patriotism converge into living history.
on Aug 21, 2025

Frontlist: The Battlefield Diaries is as much about the soil of India as it is about its soldiers. What inspired you to retrace the very sites where history bled—and how did you choose which battlefields to include in this powerful journey?

Rishi: The Battlefield Diaries is indeed a tribute not only to the courage of our soldiers but also to the sacred soil that bears witness to their sacrifice. What inspired me most was a deep, personal sense of gratitude and duty. As someone who has walked the length and breadth of this country—from the icy heights of Siachen base camp to some mighty places in Barrackpore, I have always felt a strong emotional pull towards places where our nation's destiny was shaped.

I didn’t just want to write history, I wanted to feel it, to touch the earth where heroes fell, and bring that emotion to my readers.

As for selecting which battlefields to include, I have chosen all the battlefields where India fought war with China and Pakistan right from 1947 to 1999. These are the places where valor met adversity, and where the spirit of India shone brightest. This journey was more than research to me; In fact it was a pilgrimage.

Frontlist: You’ve visited all 36 Indian states and union territories. How has your physical journey across the country informed the emotional and historical depth of your writing in this book?

Rishi: Yes, I’ve been fortunate to travel across all 36 states and union territories of India, and every journey has left a mark on my soul. These travels weren’t just about ticking destinations off a list—they were about connecting with the soul of India, one place, one person, one story at a time.

When I set out to write The Battlefield Diaries, I wasn’t just drawing from books or archives—I was drawing from lived experience. I’ve stood at memorials in remote corners, spoken to locals who still remember stories passed down from their grandparents, and even felt the chill in the wind that once carried the cries of battle.

This physical journey gave emotional weight to my words. I wasn’t just writing about faraway wars—I was writing about places, I touched, felt, and prayed silently at. The diverse landscapes, languages, and sentiments I encountered along the way helped me understand how deeply these battlefields are woven into the fabric of our national identity.

Frontlist: Your work honours not just freedom fighters but also soldiers who gave their lives in post-Independence conflicts. How do you see the thread of patriotism connecting 1857 to 1999—and beyond?

Rishi: For me, patriotism is not bound by time. It is present in the fabric of our nation from 1857 to 1999, even today. From the first cries of “Mangal Pandey Zindabad” to the last breath of Captain Vikram Batra in Kargil, there’s a common thread—love for the motherland, a love so deep that it transcends fear, pain, and even death.

When I retrace the stories of our freedom fighters and soldiers, I don’t see them as separate chapters of history. I see them as a continuous flame—passed from generation to generation.

Post-Independence, soldiers may not have fought colonial rule, but they fought to preserve the freedom that came at such a high cost. They stood guard on our borders, in Siachen, Tawang and Longewala, not for personal glory, but for every citizen they would never meet.

Through my work, I try to remind people, especially, the younger generation, that patriotism isn’t old-fashioned. It is alive, breathing in the soil, in our tricolour, and in every heartbeat that says, “Main Bharat hoon.” This journey from 1857 to 1999 and beyond isn’t just history, it is our shared soul.

Frontlist: You’ve written illustrated books on Kargil heroes and also covered stories like Jallian wala Bagh for children. Why is it important to bring such difficult chapters of history into the limelight?

Rishi: It truly touches the core of why I write. I believe that history isn’t just a record of dates and events; it’s a reservoir of emotions, sacrifices, and lessons. And if we, as adults, don’t take the responsibility to pass these stories on to the next generation in a way they can relate to, we risk losing not just facts—but feelings.

When I decided to write about the Kargil heroes or the Jallianwala Bagh massacre for children, I wasn’t just telling stories of war or tragedy. I was trying to plant seeds of empathy, courage, and patriotism in young minds. These may be difficult chapters, but they’re also powerful mirrors of who we are and what we stand for.

Children today are incredibly perceptive. If we present these moments with honesty and sensitivity—through visuals, storytelling, and emotion, they don’t just understand them, they feel them. And that feeling can shape character. It can inspire gratitude, responsibility, and even dreams of service.

For me, bringing these stories to light is not just about preserving the past—it's about shaping a more conscious and compassionate future.

Frontlist: You’ve created 500+ films and educational content for YouTube, which shows your commitment to reaching the digital generation. How do you see the role of storytelling evolving in cultivating national pride today?

Rishi: Yes, creating over 500 short films and educational pieces for YouTube has been a deeply fulfilling journey. For me, storytelling is not just a method—it's a mission. I believe stories have the power to ignite emotions, build connections, and shape perspectives in a way no textbook or speech ever can.

In today’s fast-moving digital world, we often scroll past history without pausing to reflect on its relevance. That’s where storytelling comes in—not just to inform, but to stir something within. When a young viewer watches a two-minute film on the life of a forgotten hero or a monument steeped in sacrifice, and then writes, “I didn’t know this—I feel proud to be Indian,” it makes every hour of effort worth it. I believe, it creates a quiet but powerful transformation, especially in the younger minds.

Through every film, I try to plant a small seed of awareness and pride. Because I truly believe that a nation becomes stronger when its people not only know their history—but feel it in their hearts.

Frontlist: In your experience, are schools and public institutions doing enough to keep alive the memory of India’s military heroes? What changes would you like to see?

Rishi: In my experience, while there are noble efforts being made by some schools and institutions to honor our military heroes, we still have a long road ahead. The stories of bravery, sacrifice, and patriotism that define our armed forces deserve to be told not just on special occasions like Independence Day or Republic Day, but woven into the everyday fabric of our education and public consciousness.

I would love to see more structured programs in schools that include visits to war memorials, interactions with veterans, and storytelling sessions around India's military history. Public institutions too can play a more proactive role—by dedicating spaces, exhibitions, or even annual lectures that honor our brave hearts.

Ultimately, remembering our heroes is not just about the past; it’s about inspiring future generations to value service, courage, and sacrifice. If “The Battlefield Diaries” can help spark even a small part of that awareness, I will consider my journey truly meaningful.

Frontlist: In today’s India, where narratives of nationalism can be both celebrated and contested, what role do writers like yourself play in shaping a nuanced, inclusive idea of patriotism?

Rishi: I believe true love for the nation lies not in noise, but in understanding—in empathy, awareness, and honest reflection. As a writer, my humble role is to offer a space where patriotism is not imposed, but felt—through stories that inspire, question, and connect. Through my work, I try to bring out the voices of our unsung heroes, the beauty of our diversity, and the struggles that have shaped our collective identity. I don’t see patriotism as a fixed idea. For me, it evolves with our understanding of each other. Writers, in this sense, serve as bridges—between the past and present, between regions and religions, between emotion and intellect. Our job is not just to document history, but to spark conversations that move people toward a deeper, more inclusive love for the country.

Frontlist: The Battlefield Diaries isn't just about wars—it’s about memory, emotion, and reverence. What does a battlefield represent to you beyond military strategy and dates?

Rishi: To me, a battlefield is not just a location marked by military maneuvers or historic dates—it's a living memory. It’s where ordinary men became extraordinary, where courage outshone fear, and where the soil was sanctified by sacrifice.

When I stand on a battlefield, I don’t just think of strategies or statistics, I think of the young soldier who wrote a final letter to his mother, the officer who led from the front despite knowing the odds, and the silence that follows the sound of gunfire. It’s an overwhelming mix of pride, pain, and gratitude.

A battlefield, in that sense, becomes a place of reverence—almost like a temple. It holds stories that must be remembered, tears that must be honored, and lessons that must be passed on. The Battlefield Diaries is my humble attempt to preserve these emotions, to ensure that we don’t just read about wars in books, but feel them with our hearts. For me, remembering is the greatest form of respect. And every battlefield is a page in our national conscience that reminds us who we are and what it cost to get here.