In June 1943, Bharati ‘Asha’ Sahay, a headstrong Indian teenager living in Japan during the Second World War, decides to join the Rani of Jhansi Regiment of the Indian National Army after meeting Subhas Chandra Bose. She starts to jot down her thoughts in a diary, and thus begins one of the most significant personal accounts of the Indian freedom movement.
Together with her father, Anand Mohan Sahay — a close companion of Bose — and others committed to the cause of Indian independence, Asha forges a path that takes her from war-torn Tokyo to the jungles of Thailand. She learns how to hold a rifle and shoot the enemy, and she discovers what it means to be a patriot fighting for the liberation of a country she has no memories of but carries deep in her heart.
Written in Japanese between 1943 and 1947, and translated from Hindi into English for the first time by Tanvi Srivastava, The War Diary of Asha-san is a memoir of courage, honour and love, by a young girl who must grow up quickly in the midst of war.
Or buy an autographed copy of the book here. (Signed by 95-year-old Lt Asha herself!)
Revelations In The War Diary of Asha-san
In the gripping pages of “The War Diary of Asha-san,” a remarkable first-hand account unfolds, shedding light on the lesser-known facets of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and the Indian National Army (INA / Azad Hind Fauj / Azad Hind Government) during their time in Japan and Thailand. This groundbreaking narrative unveils a treasure trove of untold facts, offering fresh perspectives on pivotal moments and hidden truths.
- Netaji’s Final Moments: Col Habib-ur-Rahman, who witnessed and experienced the plane crash of Netaji in Taihoku (Taiwan), recounts the gripping tale of Netaji’s last moments, unraveling the mystery surrounding his demise and the circumstances leading to it.
- The Enigma of Netaji’s Ashes: Delving into the enigmatic journey of Netaji’s ashes, you will learn about the intriguing narrative of how these sacred remains found their way to Japan.
- Sacred Ceremonies at Renkoji Temple: Revealing the poignant scene witnessed at Renkoji Temple, readers are transported to the solemn moment when Netaji’s ashes were entrusted to their final resting place. The presence of dignitaries and the solemn rituals performed add depth to this emotional chapter in history.
- The Sunset of the Azad Hind Government: Chronicling the final days of the INA / Azad Hind Government across Thailand, Burma, Singapore, and Japan, the diary paints a vivid picture of the struggles and sacrifices endured by these valiant freedom fighters. Amidst political upheaval and wartime turmoil, their unwavering spirit shines through.
- The Nexus with Japan: Offering insights into the intricate dynamics between the Japanese government and the Azad Hind Government, readers gain a nuanced understanding of the level of cooperation and collaboration that shaped this historic alliance.
- Unraveling the Imphal Conundrum: Delving into the factors behind the failure of the Battle of Imphal, the diary explores the strategic miscalculations and unforeseen challenges that contributed to this pivotal moment in military history.
- Financing the Freedom Struggle: Shedding light on the unsung heroes behind the financial backing of the Azad Hind Government in East and South East Asia, readers uncover the diverse network of supporters and benefactors who played a crucial role in fueling the fight for independence.
The War Diary of Asha-san stands as a testament to the indomitable spirit of those who fought for India’s freedom, offering a poignant glimpse into their untold sacrifices and unwavering resolve. With each revelation, the legacy of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and the INA is etched deeper into the annals of history, inspiring generations to come.
About Lt Bharati ‘Asha’ Sahay Choudhry
Asha Sahay was born in Kobe, Japan, in 1928. She studied in traditional Japanese schools and was studying in Tokyo’s Showa Kojo College (now Showa Women’s University) when the Second World War erupted.
Asha bid farewell to her classmates and joined the Rani of Jhansi Regiment of the Indian National Army at the age of seventeen.
Her father, Anand Mohan Sahay, was a patriot working for India’s freedom struggle from Japan. He was a close associate of Rash Behari Bose and Raja Mahendra Pratap. He later became a minister in the cabinet of the Azad Hind Government and a political adviser to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.
Asha trained in the Rani of Jhansi Regiment Camp in Bangkok, Thailand and was imprisoned after the Japanese surrender. Her father was also imprisoned in Singapore’s Pearl Hill Prison. She returned to India with her father and her uncle, Satyadev Sahay, in 1946. The Sahays toured the country and spread the message of the heroics of the INA across India.
She is currently ninety-four years old and lives in Patna with her son, Sanjay, and daughter-in-law Ratna.
Reviews & Media Coverage
Asha-san at the Rani of Jhansi regiment
An Indian teenager’s eventful years in Japan during World War II tell the story of the Indian National Army
By Soma Basu
Eighty years ago, a teenaged girl born to Indian parents in war-ravaged Japan, wrote down her aspirations and dreams in a diary. She recorded her thoughts on the impact of World War II on ordinary people, her unbound admiration for Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and her unwavering love for her motherland in the language she knew best — Japanese. At 17, she lived her dream of meeting Bose and joining the Rani Jhansi Regiment of the Indian National Army (INA). As Lt. Bharati Asha Sahay Choudhry… Read the full story on The Hindu »
Book Review: The War Diary Of Asha-San Offers Glimpses Of Netaji And Independence Movement From Japan
By Anjana Basu
Divided into three parts, The War Diary of Asha-San covers Asha’s growing up during 1943-45 and then moves onto the few short months in 1945 when she becomes part of the Rani of Jhansi Regiment and sees the destruction of her dreams with the defeat of the Indian National Army (INA) and Netaji’s eventual death, followed by her moving to India. Read the full story on Outlook Weekender »
Review: The War Diary of Asha-San by Lt Bharati ‘Asha’ Sahay Choudhry
By Lamat R Hasan
Lt Bharati “Asha” Sahay Choudhry or Asha-san’s war diary is an engaging account of her teenage years when she joined the Indian National Army’s (INA) Rani of Jhansi Regiment to overthrow the British Raj. Read the full story on HindustanTimes.com »
Bookstrapping: 10 must-read books released in 2022
By Reeta Ramamurthy Gupta
It’s time for that compelling compilation. Our year-end compilation of books is specifically focused on non-fiction and on genres such as productivity, efficiency, psychology, science, biography and marketing… Read the full story on MoneyControl’s Storyboard18 »
‘The War Diary of Asha-san’: An INA Lieutenant from Japan reflects
By Salil Misra
‘The War Diary of Asha-san’ is a remarkable book which proceeds at three different levels. At one level, the diary tells the story of a 17-year-old girl, Asha-san (‘san’ is a respectful suffix in Japanese language), born and brought up in Japan. India was the dreamland she had never seen… Read the full story on The Tribune »
One for the books: Top women authors we read this year
By Rekha Balakrishnan
As 2022 ends, we look back at some interesting reads by women authors this year.… Read the full story on HerStory »
Book Review | Diary of 17-yr-old girl of Netaji’s INA evokes Bengal’s heady past
By Indranil Banerjie
Patriotism is a dirty word in India nowadays. Patriots are considered at par with jingoists, fanatics, right-wingers, and nationalists. Liberal India lives in the conjured world of universal brotherhood and a world without borders. While patriotism might be… Read the full story on The Asian Age »
Lt Bharati ‘Asha’ Sahay Choudhry | The triumphs of youth
By Ruchir Joshi
Bharati Asha Sahay was born in Kobe in 1928, to a Bengali mother and Bihari father. The parents, being fervent nationalists, named their first-born after Bharat and Asha for the hope for independence. Bharati’s father, Anand Mohan Sahay, worked with different leaders of the independence movement in India and… Read the full story on India Today »
War diary: This book chronicles the life of 17-year-old Asha-san’s life in Netaji’s Indian National Army
By Rekha Balakrishnan
At 17, Bharati ‘Asha’ Sahay joined the Rani Jhansi Regiment of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s Indian National Army. The War Diary of Asha-San, translated from Hindi to English by her granddaughter-in-law, Tanvi Srivastava, provides glimpses into her life during those tumultuous times. Read more at: https://yourstory.com/herstory/2022/11/war-diary-book-chronicles-life-17-year-old-asha-sahay-netaji-bose
Tanvi Srivastava on tracing the life of an Indian teenager in Japan during WWII and life in Netaji’s Indian National Army
The Hindu on Books Podcast
In this episode we are joined by Tanvi Srivastava, short story and fiction writer, who explains the experience of translating Asha San’s diary from Hindi to English. The original book, a diary, recorded the teenager’s thoughts on the impact… Listen to the podcast on The Hindu»
Read the diary of the 17-year-old woman who joined Subhas Chandra Bose’s Indian National Army
A book excerpt. Read on Scroll.in »
Interview with Tanvi Srivastava translator of, “The War Diary of Asha-san” by Lt Bharati ‘Asha’ Sahay Choudhry
Tanvi Srivastava is a writer of fiction and has published short stories both online and in print. She is also a travel entrepreneur specializing in African expeditions. Tanvi is married to Asha’s grandson and lives in Bangalore with her two wild children. Frontlist: What were the most significant cultural shocks you encountered while translating this book from Japanese to English?… Read on The Frontlist.in »
Who Was Bharati ‘Asha’ Sahay? The Teenager Who Joined Rani of Jhansi Regiment
A Book Excerpt. Read more at SheThePeople »
In Conversation
Gift An Autographed Book To Your Family & Friends!
Signed by one of the last surviving members of Netaji’s Indian National Army.