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Surrender
"Long ago, I learnt to live with reality, to accept it, to appreciate it. The trouble with gangsters is that they continue believing in fiction." Medals proclaiming your designation are of little consequence when you are cornered by a hardened criminal. Viewed from this perspective alone, life ‘on the beat’ for top-cop Aftab Ahmed Khan has been no safer than that of any ordinary policeman patrolling the mean streets. What made a man who dreamt of doing a doctorate in literature don the uniform and storm into a world of crime and violence? What was it like playing a game where all the rules apply only to you, and never to your desperate opponent? You may not be living 'on the edge' like Khan did for many, many years, but you may still welcome a tip or two on how to switch on the sunshine when darkness descends without warning. And, of If you are a person whose professional life is under constant public scrutiny... If you are in charge of a team whose efficiency, morale and loyalty depend upon your leadership qualities and ability to make split-second decisions to prevent major disasters... If you have to frequently compromise on personal joys like spending 'quality time' with your family because you have to be on-the-job at unearthly hours... Plus, If you too have woken up one morning to find the carpet has been suddenly whisked away from under your feet... ...then the infectious optimism of the man this book is about will help you start afresh. It will reiterate how important it is to create a firm foundation of friendship, trust with those who work with you and for you. It will remind you that both rain and sun are needed to design a rainbow. It will inject the pep you need to keep a straight face when someone plays a crooked card. It will gift you the courage to take the road less travelled by. Most of all, it will ensure that you "Never say die!"
166 pages
First published January 1, 2008
6 people are currently reading
57 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
May 1, 2022
Reflections of the police chief on the trials and tribulations he faced over his career and the guiding principles he used to get through them.
Arguably one of the more popular cops as responsible for starting the Anti Terrorist Squad and starting the trend of encounter killings for gangsters and terrorists. He definitely has some valuable insights and takeaways on life that can be useful to anyone.
The only gripe here is the writing style as its far too prosy. The man is quite earnest and modest in thoughts yet the language used is unnecessarily high ended. Its pretty much like reading a student essay where every opportunity has been taken to stuff in as many complex intellectual words to convey a simple thought. It works at times, while at others it doesn't.
Overall, gives the effect that while authentic in substance, the communication of it is superfluous.
Regardless, a short, decent read as provided a fascinating insight into the mindset of someone in such a demanding profession.
Arguably one of the more popular cops as responsible for starting the Anti Terrorist Squad and starting the trend of encounter killings for gangsters and terrorists. He definitely has some valuable insights and takeaways on life that can be useful to anyone.
The only gripe here is the writing style as its far too prosy. The man is quite earnest and modest in thoughts yet the language used is unnecessarily high ended. Its pretty much like reading a student essay where every opportunity has been taken to stuff in as many complex intellectual words to convey a simple thought. It works at times, while at others it doesn't.
Overall, gives the effect that while authentic in substance, the communication of it is superfluous.
Regardless, a short, decent read as provided a fascinating insight into the mindset of someone in such a demanding profession.
September 22, 2016
A humane side of policing!
Devoured this book in a mere 4-5 hours. My resolution to join the force has only strengthened despite the grim side of policing that is broadcasted in the book. This book is like philosophy at hand. Philosophy to kill in order to stop killings. Philosophy to burn in order to douse. Philosophy to fall in order to rise. Philosophy to stop in order to start again. It talks about Police Reforms. And by that it talks about reforming the society at large. It talks about his routine and extraordinary experiences whilst in the Police. How I wish he had stayed put until the end, for a brave journey deserved an honourable end. But I am sure he had his own reasons to do so and they are equally valid without an ounce of doubt. The book ends on a sad note. But that still instills a sense of optimism to keep doing what you are best at. At times journeys are more beautiful than destinations. I heard myself saying that as I sank in my chair after closing the book. Much respect ✊
Devoured this book in a mere 4-5 hours. My resolution to join the force has only strengthened despite the grim side of policing that is broadcasted in the book. This book is like philosophy at hand. Philosophy to kill in order to stop killings. Philosophy to burn in order to douse. Philosophy to fall in order to rise. Philosophy to stop in order to start again. It talks about Police Reforms. And by that it talks about reforming the society at large. It talks about his routine and extraordinary experiences whilst in the Police. How I wish he had stayed put until the end, for a brave journey deserved an honourable end. But I am sure he had his own reasons to do so and they are equally valid without an ounce of doubt. The book ends on a sad note. But that still instills a sense of optimism to keep doing what you are best at. At times journeys are more beautiful than destinations. I heard myself saying that as I sank in my chair after closing the book. Much respect ✊
June 2, 2018
AA Khan's "Surrender" is an honest book in which he tells us about his action-filled days in Mumbai and the two punishment postings, first to Jalna when a minister-to-be took offence to his showing the politician the rulebook, and second to Nagpur soon after the Babri Masjid demolition which sparked communal riots in Mumbai and elsewhere.
This is a highly readable book by a senior and decorated police hero who was fearless in his operations and was admired by every Mumbaikar irrespective of caste, religion, or economic background. A person with an enormous capacity to show restraint in volatile law and order situations, AA Khan comes across as a well-read & an intellectually stimulating Indian who talks freely on many important aspects of modern Indian life: family, commitment, religion, and inner peace.
Quite expectedly, the book contains a few adrenalin-raising stories about real encounters carried out by AA Khan and his committed ATS team. These include the famous Lokhandwala Complex shooting case of 1991 and the arrest of the main accused in Kanishka bombing case from Dadar railway station in 2012.
This book, I think, should be read by every Indian.
This is a highly readable book by a senior and decorated police hero who was fearless in his operations and was admired by every Mumbaikar irrespective of caste, religion, or economic background. A person with an enormous capacity to show restraint in volatile law and order situations, AA Khan comes across as a well-read & an intellectually stimulating Indian who talks freely on many important aspects of modern Indian life: family, commitment, religion, and inner peace.
Quite expectedly, the book contains a few adrenalin-raising stories about real encounters carried out by AA Khan and his committed ATS team. These include the famous Lokhandwala Complex shooting case of 1991 and the arrest of the main accused in Kanishka bombing case from Dadar railway station in 2012.
This book, I think, should be read by every Indian.
December 16, 2021
Not a good read
I started the book with lot of expectations. As A A Khan is a name of repute, the person who made ATS and started the war on gangster and terrorist. He was a key player in Lokhandwala shootout. I expected a lot more thrilling storytelling and detailed account of first hand encounter. What he wrote about the events were much better described in news report. It was mere summary and not doesnt felt like first hand account. The writing is a big let down. The kind of adventurous career he had, expected a lot in narration.
I started the book with lot of expectations. As A A Khan is a name of repute, the person who made ATS and started the war on gangster and terrorist. He was a key player in Lokhandwala shootout. I expected a lot more thrilling storytelling and detailed account of first hand encounter. What he wrote about the events were much better described in news report. It was mere summary and not doesnt felt like first hand account. The writing is a big let down. The kind of adventurous career he had, expected a lot in narration.
September 2, 2020
Whah Whah 'Ack' 'Ack' Khan!
His initial ambition was to become a writer, however, thanks to his mother, he ended up becoming one of the most dear police man for public and dreaded police officer for criminals.
A great personality who withered the toughest of storms and went about fulfilling his duty sincerely.
“I work to please my conscience, not my bosses" is the trademark of A.A. KHAN.
His initial ambition was to become a writer, however, thanks to his mother, he ended up becoming one of the most dear police man for public and dreaded police officer for criminals.
A great personality who withered the toughest of storms and went about fulfilling his duty sincerely.
“I work to please my conscience, not my bosses" is the trademark of A.A. KHAN.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews