When we hear the name of a retired Army Chief, we usually picture someone very serious, likely talking about border strategy or high-level politics. But General Manoj Naravane has done something different with his book, The Curious and the Classified. Rather than a conventional memoir, he has given us a collection of stories that invites us into a world we only see from a distance. This Indian Army book is not about war in the way most people expect. It is about the culture and the traditions that make the armed forces what they are. General Manoj Narvane draws from decades of his own experience to share these stories that are funny, witty, and rooted in military history.

One of the most interesting parts of the book is what the General calls "The Ladder of Life." For most people, including me, military ranks are confusing and a total mystery. We see the stars on shoulders but rarely know what they actually mean. Naravane explains this in a way that finally makes sense. He addresses that famous question: if a Major is senior to a Lieutenant, why is a Major General junior to a Lieutenant General? He traces these terms back to their French origins, where “lieutenant” referred to someone standing in for a superior. He also shares some great humorous moments that happen because of these ranks. There’s a story about a Navy officer who was doing a course with the Army. In the Navy, the rank of Commander is quite high. Whenever this officer called the Army telephone exchange and introduced himself as Commander Kumar, his calls would go through instantly because the operators assumed he was a senior officer. But things changed after he was promoted to Captain. In the Army, a Captain is a junior rank, so he suddenly found himself being put on hold far more often. Eventually, he started introducing himself as “Colonel Kumar” just to get a quicker response This shows that even in a strict structure of the armed forces, there’s always room for a little chaos and laughter.

The book also explores the strange "backronyms" that have become part of military lore. For example, the town of Mhow in Madhya Pradesh. For years, people in the Army have believed that M.H.O.W. stands for Military Headquarters of War. Whether that is historically true or just a popular myth is part of the fun. General Manoj Naravane explores these mysteries without being too academic about it. When something gets repeated enough times in a mess hall or around a campfire, it almost becomes real. As the book moves along, it shifts into things like the grammar of uniform and the meaning behind different badges. These are the kinds of details you usually don’t even think to question, but they are the small things that stay with you. You start to notice that a lot of everyday military habits, from the way a soldier salutes to the badges they wear, have a lot of thought and history behind them. Somehow, the book explains all of this without ever feeling heavy or technical.

If you are interested in Indian culture, the chapter on Chak De Phatte will interest you a lot. The phrase is commonly used during sporting events and celebrations today, but it has a specific military origin linked to the Sikh Light Infantry during their campaigns against the Mughals. Understanding the military history of phrases like this gives them an entirely new meaning in everyday life.

In the end, The Curious and the Classified by General Manoj Naravane is a rare kind of Indian Army book that reminds us that behind the medals and the salutes, the military is full of people who love a good laugh and find meaning in the stories they've inherited. It’s an essential read if you have ever looked at a cantonment and wondered what actually goes on inside. Whether you are a history buff or just someone who appreciates a great story, this book will genuinely leave you with a smile and plenty of interesting things to talk about.

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