Biography Major Vivek Jacob: From 9 Para Special Forces to a Voice of Healing and Purpose

Like a pendulum, life often swings between extremes. Few stories illustrate this truth as clearly as the life of Vivek Jacob—an Indian Army veteran, former special forces officer, social entrepreneur, and now a widely followed public speaker. Once trained to live in shadows, operate silently, and disappear without a trace, Major Vivek Jacob today stands in the public eye, sharing wisdom shaped by war, reflection, and deep compassion.

His journey is not a dramatic reinvention. It is a natural evolution—one forged by discipline, loss, clarity, and purpose.

Early Life and Family Background

Vivek Jacob was born into a military family, a background that quietly but firmly shaped his worldview. He is a Malayali by origin and grew up largely in North India, adapting early to cultural diversity and disciplined living.

His father served as a para commando in the Indian Army, a fact that placed the idea of service above self into Jacob’s life from childhood. Army families grow up differently. Stability is replaced by transfers. Comfort gives way to resilience. Patriotism becomes practical, not decorative.

Growing up in this environment, Jacob saw firsthand what duty meant—not as an abstract concept, but as daily commitment. This upbringing played a decisive role in his decision to join the armed forces, fully aware of the sacrifices involved.

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Choosing the Hardest Path: Joining the Special Forces

Joining the Indian Army is challenging. Volunteering for special forces is a different level of commitment altogether.

Jacob chose to serve in the 9 Para SF, one of the most elite and battle-hardened units in the world. This regiment operates under extreme secrecy. Missions remain classified. Success often goes unreported. Failure is not an option.

From the outset, Jacob knew what lay ahead. His family background ensured there were no illusions about glamour or comfort. What awaited him was physical exhaustion, mental strain, and absolute accountability.

Gruelling Training That Tests More Than Muscles

Special forces training is often described as brutal, but that word barely captures its depth. Jacob’s training pushed both body and mind to their limits.

Physically, it involved long endurance marches—60 to 80 kilometres within fixed timelines, carrying heavy combat loads. These exercises tested stamina, pain tolerance, and mental focus.

Yet, as Jacob often recalls, the toughest moments were not always physical.

“It is not easy,” he says, “to translate a Hindi newspaper into English at 1am from a hideout full of dirty water and mosquitoes.”

This single example reveals the true nature of special forces life. Combat demands strength, but intelligence work demands precision under exhaustion. Clarity must survive chaos.

A Decade in the Shadows

Jacob served for ten years in special forces, operating in some of the most hostile terrains in the country. His work involved counter-terror operations, extended deployments, and prolonged periods of isolation.

Details of his missions remain undisclosed—and rightly so. Special forces thrive on anonymity. Friends knew little. Enemies knew nothing. Silence was survival.

Living constantly on the edge of life and death reshaped Jacob’s inner world. Combat strips away illusions quickly. It forces uncomfortable questions.

“War or conflict makes you realise that you can leave this universe anytime,” he reflects.
“Who are we? Why are we here killing each other? We could all live in harmony instead.”

These reflections planted the seeds of his philosophical and spiritual outlook.

Retirement in 2017 and the Challenge of Civilian Life

Jacob retired from the Indian Army in 2017, carrying with him years of intense conditioning. For many veterans, this transition proves harder than combat itself.

Military life demands constant alertness. The mind stays tuned to threat, risk, and reaction. Civilian life removes that danger overnight—but the conditioning remains.

Jacob speaks candidly about this phase. Like many soldiers, he struggled to adjust to a world without operational urgency.

He strongly believes that structured psychological support for retiring officers is essential. In countries like the United States, the absence of such systems has led to serious issues, including PTSD-related crises among veterans.

“You are conditioned to be in a constant state of readiness,” he explains.
“When you enter civilian life, that danger is not there, but your mind doesn’t switch off. There should be counselling on how to adjust.”

Healing Through Craft, Movement, and Stillness

Jacob found balance through simple, grounded pursuits. He turned to carpentry, a craft that rewards patience and focus. He immersed himself in adventure sports, reconnecting with controlled risk rather than uncontrolled threat.

He also embraced meditation, learning to sit with silence instead of fighting it. These practices helped him process experiences without suppressing them.

This phase was not an escape. It was recalibration.

The Promise That Changed Everything

A defining moment came when a paralysed Indian Air Force officer asked Jacob a simple question:
“Can I go scuba diving?”

The question carried immense logistical challenges. Scuba diving for a paralysed person requires specialised equipment, medical supervision, trained instructors, and funding.

Jacob realised that making it possible for one person would require creating an entire ecosystem.

Founding CLAW: Conquer Land And Water

That promise led to the creation of CLAW (Conquer Land And Water), an initiative run by Army veterans to enable adventure sports for people with disabilities.

CLAW began small, with limited resources and no guaranteed funding. What it had instead was conviction.

Jacob and his team travelled from Chandigarh to Lakshadweep, organising a pioneering programme that trained 120 paralysed individuals in scuba diving. Doctors, safety teams, and adaptive equipment made the impossible possible.

“We are a small group,” Jacob says, “but we are growing.”

Growth here means dignity, confidence, and reclaimed dreams.

Returning to the Himalayas—With a New Purpose

Jacob recently returned to the Himalayas, a region where he once conducted counter-terror operations. This visit carried no weapons, no missions, and no fear.

“It was magical,” he says. “I experienced a lot of beautiful things.”

He now plans to establish a base there focused on adventure training and life skills, especially for young people and veterans. The mountains that once witnessed conflict may now nurture resilience and learning.

Rise as a YouTube Speaker and Mentor

In recent years, Jacob has emerged as a YouTube personality whose talks frequently go viral. His content stands apart from typical motivational material.

Young people write to him about careers, relationships, anxiety, and purpose.

“I feel it is important to reply to all of them,” he says.
“I feel I have a perspective that will heal them.”

That perspective comes not from theory, but from lived reality.

Philosophy Forged in Combat

Jacob’s philosophy avoids extremes. He does not glorify war, nor does he deny its necessity. He speaks of peace without sounding naïve.

Combat, he believes, clarifies priorities. It reveals how fragile life is and how unnecessary hatred becomes when mortality feels close.

This balance resonates deeply with audiences tired of shallow inspiration.

Personal Life and Values

While Jacob remains private about his personal life—a habit shaped by years of classified service—he consistently credits his family upbringing, military discipline, and spiritual exploration for shaping his values.

Integrity, service, and accountability define his choices today as much as they did during his years in uniform.

Why Major Vivek Jacob’s Story Matters

Major Vivek Jacob represents a rare blend of warrior and thinker, discipline and compassion. His life challenges the stereotype that soldiers struggle to find meaning after service.

Instead, his journey shows that meaning evolves.

From secret missions to open conversations, from combat zones to healing spaces, Jacob continues to serve—just in a different uniform.

Final Thoughts

Major Vivek Jacob’s biography is not just a military story. It is a human story—about resilience, reflection, and responsibility.

His life reminds us that true strength lies not only in surviving battle, but in returning with empathy intact.

And in a world that often glorifies noise, his journey proves that wisdom, when earned honestly, never needs to shout.

Biography of Col Rajeev Bharwan

A Soldier, Leader, Mentor, and the Man Known as “Mumma Sir”

Writing about Col Rajeev Bharwan is not about listing ranks or medals. It is about understanding what sustained leadership looks like when tested by terrain, time, and truth. Over 21 years in the Indian Army, Col Rajeev Bharwan built a career defined by discipline, clarity, compassion, and results—qualities that continue to shape young aspirants long after he hung up the uniform.

This biography presents a clear, factual, and respectful account of his professional journey, leadership philosophy, and post-retirement mission, based on verifiable military structures, recognized operations, and documented achievements.

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Early Military Calling and Professional Foundation

Every long military career begins with a simple decision: to serve without shortcuts. Col Rajeev Bharwan entered the Indian Army with this clarity. From the very beginning, he trained in an environment where standards were non-negotiable and leadership was earned daily, not assumed.

The Indian Army’s officer training ecosystem emphasizes decision-making under stress, ethical command, and responsibility for men before self. Col Rajeev absorbed these values early and carried them consistently through two decades of active service.

Commanding Elite Infantry and Airborne Regiments

Few officers get the opportunity to command elite Infantry and Strategic Airborne Regiments. Even fewer do it successfully across varied operational roles. Col Rajeev Bharwan belongs to that rare group.

Airborne and infantry units demand:

• Rapid decision-making

• Physical endurance

• Mental resilience

• Absolute trust between leader and troops

These units operate where margin for error does not exist. As a commanding officer, Col Rajeev led large task forces in high-risk environments where leadership meant being present, calm, and decisive.

Operational Experience in Active Conflict Zones

Col Rajeev Bharwan served extensively in some of India’s most sensitive and operationally demanding regions:

• Assam

• Manipur

• Nagaland

• Jammu & Kashmir

These areas are officially recognized by Indian defense doctrine as active Counter Insurgency and Counter Terrorism zones. Operations here involve real-time intelligence, civilian interaction, and split-second judgment calls.

Importantly, such deployments test not only combat skill but also:

• Emotional control

• Conflict resolution ability

• Respect for rules of engagement

Col Rajeev demonstrated professional balance in environments where leadership failures cost lives.

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Expertise in Counter Terrorism and Counter Insurgency

Counter Terrorism (CT) and Counter Insurgency (CI) are among the most complex military operations worldwide. They require restraint as much as aggression.

Col Rajeev Bharwan’s hands-on experience in CT and CI operations provided him with:

• Deep understanding of asymmetric warfare

• Crisis management capability

• Tactical patience under pressure

These are not textbook skills. They are learned only in active combat zones, through repeated exposure to uncertainty and risk.

International Recognition and Army-Level Achievements

Merit in the armed forces is measured by performance, not publicity. Col Rajeev Bharwan’s service earned him recognition at both national and international levels.

United Nations Recognition

He was awarded the United Nations Force Commander’s Certificate of Appreciation for distinguished service. This honor reflects professional conduct and operational excellence under multinational command environments governed by UN military standards.

Cambrian Patrol Competition – First Place

Col Rajeev Bharwan also secured first place in the prestigious Cambrian Patrol Competition at the Army level, representing India internationally.

The Cambrian Patrol is globally respected for testing:

• Tactical planning

• Navigation

• Endurance

• Team leadership

Winning this competition is not luck. It signals elite-level soldiering and leadership.

Leadership Style: Discipline with Humanity

Col Rajeev Bharwan’s leadership philosophy earned him a unique identity—“Mumma Sir.” The name itself explains his approach better than any manual.

He combined:

• Firm discipline

• Personal care for troops

• High expectations with emotional intelligence

In military units, such balance builds loyalty. Soldiers follow leaders who train them hard but stand by them harder.

His peers and subordinates often describe him as “an officer who could move even dead stones.” That phrase reflects motivation through example, not authority alone.

Strategic Planning and Crisis Decision-Making

Modern military leadership goes beyond battlefield command. Col Rajeev Bharwan developed strong capabilities in:

• Strategic planning

• Risk analysis

• Crisis decision-making

• Conflict resolution

These skills align closely with globally accepted military leadership frameworks used by the Indian Army and UN peacekeeping structures.

His ability to think long-term while acting decisively made him effective in both operational and administrative roles.

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Human Resource and Organizational Management Expertise

A lesser-known but critical side of military leadership is people management. Col Rajeev Bharwan demonstrated proven success in:

• Manpower planning

• Recruitment and selection

• Performance management

• Training and development

These responsibilities directly influence unit readiness and morale. Handling them effectively requires structure, fairness, and emotional maturity.

He also managed:

• Financial planning

• Asset and facilities management

• Resource mobilization

Such experience translates seamlessly into civilian leadership roles.

Transition from Colonel to Mentor and Life Coach

After 21 years of decorated service, Col Rajeev Bharwan retired from active duty—but not from leadership.

Today, he works as:

• Motivational speaker

• Life coach

• SSB mentor

His focus areas include:

• Personality development

• Character building

• Leadership mindset

• Officer-like qualities (OLQs)

He mentors aspirants preparing for Services Selection Board (SSB) interviews, grounding his guidance in real military expectations rather than internet myths.

Teaching Leadership Without Pretence

What sets Col Rajeev Bharwan apart as a mentor is authenticity. He does not sell shortcuts. He explains why discipline matters, why consistency beats talent, and why character defines command.

His sessions emphasize:

• Self-awareness

• Ethical conduct

• Mental resilience

• Responsibility under pressure

These principles align with official evaluation criteria used in Indian defense selection systems.

Why His Story Matters Today

In an era of viral motivation and quick fame, Col Rajeev Bharwan’s journey stands out because it is earned, not marketed.

His career demonstrates:

• Long-term consistency

• Results under pressure

• Leadership rooted in service

For young Indians aspiring to join the armed forces, his life offers clarity: success comes from preparation, patience, and purpose.

A Legacy Beyond Uniform

Col Rajeev Bharwan’s legacy does not end with medals or ranks. It continues through the minds he shapes and the values he reinforces.

From commanding elite regiments to mentoring future officers, his journey reflects the Indian Army’s core belief:

Major Mohit Sharma Biography (English): The Brave Ashok Chakra Hero of India

Major Mohit Sharma was one of the bravest officers of the Indian Army, whose courage, sacrifice, and dedication made him a symbol of heroism for the nation. A Para (Special Forces) officer, he laid down his life while fighting terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir and was posthumously awarded the Ashok Chakra, India’s highest peacetime gallantry award.

Known for his fearless leadership and extraordinary undercover counter-terror operations, Major Mohit Sharma is remembered as a true son of Mother India who chose duty over life.

Major Mohit Sharma was one of the bravest officers of the Indian Army, whose courage, sacrifice, and dedication made him a symbol of heroism for the nation. A Para (Special Forces) officer, he laid down his life while fighting terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir and was posthumously awarded the Ashok Chakra, India’s highest peacetime gallantry award.

Known for his fearless leadership and extraordinary undercover counter-terror operations, Major Mohit Sharma is remembered as a true son of Mother India who chose duty over life.

Major Mohit Sharma Personal Details (Biography Table)

Education Journey

Manav Sthali School, South Extension, New Delhi

Holy Angels School, Sahibabad

Delhi Public School (DPS), Ghaziabad – completed Class 12

Sant Gajanan Maharaj College of Engineering, Shegaon, Maharashtra

Despite enrolling in engineering, Mohit Sharma’s dream was always to wear the uniform. His passion led him to clear the NDA examination in 1995, marking the beginning of his military journey.

Family Background

Major Mohit Sharma belonged to a proud Haryanvi family. He was the second child of his parents and shared a close bond with his family.

His father, Rajendra Prasad Sharma, worked as a bank manager

His mother, Sushila Sharma, was a homemaker

His brother, Madhu Sharma, supported him throughout his career

His wife, Major Rishima Sharma, is also an officer in the Indian Army

The couple got married in 2003, sharing not just a relationship but also a deep commitment to serving the nation.

Physical Appearance

Height: 6 feet

Weight: Approx. 70 kg

Hair Colour: Black

Eye Colour: Black

Skin Tone: Wheatish

Military Career of Major Mohit Sharma

Major Mohit Sharma began his formal military training at the National Defence Academy (NDA) in 1998. He emerged as the Best Cadet of his batch and was also an exceptional horse rider, boxer, swimmer, and athlete.

After NDA, he joined the Indian Military Academy (IMA), where he was appointed Battalion Cadet Adjutant and even met the President of India, K. R. Narayanan.

Career Highlights

Commissioned into the 5th Battalion, Madras Regiment on 11 December 1999

First posting at Hyderabad

Served with 38 Rashtriya Rifles in counter-insurgency operations

Awarded COAS Commendation (COASM) for bravery

Selected for Para Special Forces (1 Para SF) in 2003

Awarded the Sena Medal in 2004

Served as an instructor at Commando Wing, Belgaum (2005–2006)

Returned to Kashmir for high-risk counter-terror operations in 2008

Anti-Terror Operations and Undercover Mission

Major Mohit Sharma played a crucial role in anti-terror operations in Kashmir. Disguised as a local named “Iftikhar Bhatt”, he grew a beard and long hair to blend in with the locals.

Using this undercover identity, he infiltrated terrorist networks and gained the trust of dreaded Hizbul commanders Abu Dubna and Abu Suleman. Through intelligence gathering and tactical deception, he successfully neutralized multiple terrorists and saved the lives of fellow soldiers.

In one operation alone, he eliminated four terrorists while protecting his comrades.

Awards and Gallantry Honors

COAS Commendation (COASM) – 2000

Sena Medal – 2004

Ashok Chakra (Posthumous) – India’s highest peacetime gallantry award

The Ashok Chakra was presented to his wife, Major Rishima Sharma, honoring his supreme sacrifice.

Marriage and Personal Life

Major Mohit Sharma met Major Rishima Sharma during his posting in Chandigarh. Their shared values, discipline, and love for the Army brought them together, and they married in 2003.

Martyrdom and Death

On 21 March 2009, Major Mohit Sharma led a team into the Hafruda Forest, Kupwara, after terrorists were detected in the area. During the intense encounter, he was fatally injured by bullets.

Despite being critically wounded, he continued fighting and ensured the safety of his team. His courage in the face of death exemplified exceptional gallantry, for which he was posthumously awarded the Ashok Chakra.

Legacy of Major Mohit Sharma

Major Mohit Sharma’s life is a story of fearless courage, intelligence, and sacrifice. He remains an inspiration for India’s youth, defence aspirants, and every citizen who believes in service before self.

Salute to the hero who lived for the nation and died protecting it. 🇮🇳

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