The Nine Batons

Book: The Nine Batons

Author: Retd Col M P Dinesh

Genre: Self-help

Publisher: Notion Press

Published on: 28 September 2024

Available on:

1.       Amazon: https://amzn.in/d/5ZFY9y3

2.       Notionpress:  https://notionpress.com/read/the-nine-batons

Reviews: The book is a narrative of an NCC Instructor who takes us through his journey of assessing and instructing as the in-charge of training of cadets for “Best Cadets” category at national level. The author profoundly describes his apprehensions, self-doubts, achievements and flaws in taking up this challenging task. It is very common to validate all the struggles that a student takes to reach his/her goals in their lives when they stand out in certain talents and achievements. What is lesser known and brought into the limelight is the struggles and efforts taken by the educators and mentors to train their candidates to reach those goals. This book stands out in that very particular narrative where the reader gets round the retina of a mentor, a teacher, an educator, an instructor or a guide to see things from his point of view. The book uses excellent vocabulary and narrative tools to describe the characters and episodes at the same time ensuring the simplicity of chapters and text. Being a defence aspirant for a fair amount of time in my life, it was pretty easy relating myself to the characters Rashi, Mahesh and Tarun in certain ways and finally rejoicing and celebrating their victories over their past and shortcomings.  

The book is a motivating tool for the lot who look ahead to join the armed forces but, no disparity drawn, it is a book which will help each and every student regardless of their choice of ambition, to work and thrive towards reaching their goals. This book is sure to enrich all the students, aspirants and the younger generations to employ a broader and more detailed process of goal-setting and be more realistic in their efforts and preparations towards their desires. Simultaneously, the readers will understand the importance of manifestation and positive-thinking. This book takes you through a narrative of all the challenges one's pasts and traumas throw, and how a true opportunist will break all those shackles and choose not to be a prisoner of that past rather be the creator of his present.

P.S.: To all those who don’t know the author of this book happens to be my mentor. We initially started working together when I was thriving to reach a goal, I had envisioned for myself and he undeniably has an excellent career as an assessor for the same. Through the years of this work, we’ve crafted a bond for ourselves where he has become my first go-to person when I need guidance and fruitful self-talk whether it is about life, career, family, emotions and work. A “Guru-dakshina” for whose role in my life will forever be an underestimation of my gratitude and his dedication.