On this 79th Independence Day, The Interview World proudly presents the extraordinary interview of Subedar Major and Honorary Captain Yogendra Singh Yadav, Param Vir Chakra (PVC)—a name forever engraved in the annals of India’s martial glory.
In the summer of 1999, when the icy heights of Kargil echoed with the roar of battle, a 19-year-old Grenadier Yadav faced an impossible mission. Tiger Hill loomed ahead—its sheer cliffs guarded by relentless enemy fire. Yet he climbed. Step after step, he defied the storm of bullets. Seventeen enemy rounds tore into his body. Still, he pressed on. With grenades clutched in his bleeding hands and a spirit blazing with love for the motherland, he stormed the enemy bunkers. His courage cleared the way for his platoon to seize the peak—turning the tide of the war and etching Tiger Hill into the saga of India’s military triumphs.
For this unmatched gallantry, the nation bestowed upon him the Param Vir Chakra—its highest honour for valour—making him the youngest recipient in Indian history. But his story is more than a record of battlefield heroism. It is a summons. A call to every young Indian to rise beyond self-interest. To live by the creed of duty, honour, and sacrifice. To understand that true courage is born of unyielding devotion to the motherland.
Today, his voice carries that message. It reminds us that freedom was not won by chance, but by the blood and will of those who refused to yield. It compels us to protect that freedom, not with rhetoric, but with readiness—readiness to serve, to shield, to uplift our nation whenever the call resounds.
In an exclusive conversation with The Interview World, Subedar Major and Honorary Captain Yogendra Singh Yadav, PVC, delivers an inspiring message to young Indians dreaming of the uniform. He reflects on the nation’s resolve after Operation Sindoor, advocates military education for youth in schools, showcases the Indian Army’s resilience in adversity, and affirms its technological edge among the world’s leading forces.
Here are the key takeaways from his compelling and deeply patriotic exchange.
Q: On this Independence Day, what is your message to the young Indians aspiring to join the armed forces and dedicate their lives to protecting the nation?
A: To the youth of our nation, I say this with pride and conviction: we are born of the sacred soil of our motherland. Protecting her is not a choice. It is the solemn duty of every child she has nurtured. And there is no greater honour, no nobler path, than to serve in the Army.
The Army does more than wear the uniform of valour. It recognizes the fire of patriotism in you and forges it into strength. It takes ordinary citizens and lifts them to extraordinary heights. In its ranks, you stand tall, your courage tested and proven, your resolve unshakable. You shield the nation with your own might. And remember—when the motherland is safe, every family sleeps in peace.
In uniform, you also inherit a sacred privilege: to salute the memory of the martyrs who gave their lives so that we might live in freedom. They passed the torch of liberty into our hands. Today, it is our turn to guard it, to protect it, to ensure it never dims.
There is no greater measure of a life well lived. There is no higher calling. There is no richer honour.
Q: How do you assess the situation in India following Operation Sindoor, amid the heightened tensions with Pakistan?
A: Yes—absolutely. Pakistan will never abandon its path of terrorism. Every such act is part of a calculated design to obstruct the progress of other nations, especially those poised to rise.
Its aim is clear: to keep India entangled in the shadows of violence and unrest, to divert our attention from the mission of development. But let it be known—India will not waver. We will not pause our march towards progress.
And if anyone dares to strike us, our response will be swift, decisive, and unyielding.
For this, our nation stands vigilant. Our Army stands prepared. Day and night, in every season, under every sky—we are ready. Always.
Q: Military education in schools has long been debated as a way to prepare better soldiers for the future. What is your perspective on this idea?
A: I stand in firm agreement with the call to introduce military education in every school across the nation. In 2021, I personally told the Prime Minister that every child — in every school, college, and university — must undergo NCC, NSS, and Scout training. And yes, it must carry academic weight.
When these programs are given marks, parents will encourage their children to join. Children who attend NCC, NSS, and Scout camps will not just learn discipline — they will feel the stirring of patriotism in their hearts. They will be ready to serve as a reserve force for the nation.
Our schools are the cradle of future citizens. If we believe that the Agniveer Yojana alone will prepare our armed forces, then we miss a crucial truth — the nation’s strength lies in a citizenry that stands ready to defend her. That is why these Agniveers must also be integrated into a robust reserve.
When a person belongs to a reserve, they form a deep bond — with their regiment, with their comrades, with the very soil of their motherland. This bond ignites a spirit of service. It builds trust among soldiers. It steels their will.
And in the heat of battle, it is this spirit that inspires courage. It is this trust that gives a soldier the unshakable confidence to fight — not just for victory, but for the honour of the nation.
Q: Given India’s vast geographical diversity and challenging weather conditions, how do you view the resilience and spirit of our army in overcoming such difficult situations?
A: Look at the vast and varied geography of India. In one corner, the mercury soars to 55 degrees. In another, it plunges to minus 60. We have towering snow-clad mountains. We have mighty rivers. We have scorching deserts.
In these extremes, our soldier stands guard. He feels the land’s every breath — its heat, its chill, its storms. He adapts. He endures. And through this endurance, he builds unshakable confidence. That confidence becomes his armour. It transforms into self-belief.
This self-belief shapes the warrior’s fight. Because he knows the terrain — it is his own. He understands that each battlefield demands its own strategy. In the mountains, in the deserts, in the river valleys — his tactics shift, but his resolve remains constant.
Our soldier is not just trained — he is seasoned. Not just disciplined — but battle-hardened. And above all, he is a volunteer. No one forced him into the uniform. He chose it. He embraced it. Because within him burns the will to serve the motherland.
A volunteer. A trained fighter. An experienced guardian of the nation.
That is why our army — whether in the icy heights of Galwan or the burning sands of the Thar — fights with the same iron will. We sound the drums of victory in every corner. We raise the Tricolour high, letting it flutter proudly against every sky.
Q: In your view, where does the Indian Army stand in terms of technological advancements compared to other armies worldwide?
A: Today, the world marches in the age of technology. Modern warfare is no longer fought with steel alone — it is driven by cutting-edge weapons, precision systems, and advanced equipment. Technology transforms the very strategy of battle.
Our Indian Army stands at the forefront of this transformation. It is a modernized force, armed with state-of-the-art technology and world-class equipment, standing shoulder to shoulder with the mightiest armies on Earth.
We have seen this power in action. In Operation Sindoor, our DRDO and our brilliant scientists created machines and systems that rewrote the rules of engagement. With them, we crushed every ground assault launched by Pakistan. We neutralized every airstrike. And through our precision strikes, we obliterated 11 of their air bases. We brought their aggression to its knees.
This is the might of our Army — a force that is technical, tactical, and tenacious. A force trained to perfection. Renowned for its skill. Ready for any challenge.
Whether in the blazing deserts, the towering mountains, or the frozen glaciers, our soldiers combine grit with technology. And with that fusion, they hold the power to change the direction of any battle and the outcome of any war.
