Gen Manoj Naravane Unveils ‘The Curious & The Classified’ at Pune Book Launch
Pune, 20th August 2026: Former Chief of Army Staff General Manoj Naravane unveiled his latest book, The Curious & The Classified: Unearthing Military Myths & Mysteries, at a book launch held at Modern College in Shivajinagar, Pune, on Thursday.
The event, held before a packed auditorium, explored the lesser-known world of military folklore, legends, traditions and stories that rarely find a place in official military narratives.
In the book, Naravane examines the space where fact, folklore, memory and military culture intersect, bringing together stories and traditions that have become part of military memory.
Beyond the battlefield
The discussion at the launch went beyond the themes of the book, touching upon national unity, the human cost of war and the psychological impact of conflict.
Speaking about “Anekta Mein Ekta” (unity in diversity), Naravane emphasised that national unity should not remain a phrase repeated during national occasions. He said that if India is to remain united, people need to be brought together rather than simply being asked to celebrate diversity from a distance.
Naravane also spoke about the cost of war, particularly its psychological impact. He noted that discussions around war often focus on victory, defeat, weapons, strategy, territory and military expenditure, while the psychological consequences can remain less visible.
According to Naravane, the impact of war can continue long after the battlefield has disappeared from public attention, making the human and psychological cost an important part of understanding conflict.
‘It was about opening a conversation’
Prafful P. Sarda, host of the event, said the evening was not simply about launching a book but about opening a conversation about a world that most civilians rarely get to see.
He said The Curious & The Classified explores the “stories behind the stories”, including beliefs carried by soldiers, legends that emerge from extraordinary circumstances, traditions that bind regiments together and unusual incidents that remain part of military memory.
The Pune launch brought together military history and contemporary questions facing Indian society, creating a discussion that moved beyond conventional accounts of the battlefield.
Through The Curious & The Classified, Naravane offers readers an insight into the myths, mysteries, traditions and lesser-known stories that form part of military culture and memory.
