Drill Boots To Heartbeats

Author : Dr. Aswti R Mannali

Drill Boots to Heartbeats: A Journey of Duty, Leadership and Service is a compelling biography of Colonel Rajeev Mannali, written by his daughter, Dr. Aswti R Mannali. Born in rural Kerala in 1955, Colonel Mannali's extraordinary life spans over three decades in the Indian Army — from Sainik School and the National Defence Academy to commanding roles during the Sri Lanka peacekeeping operations and the Kargil conflict — followed by a remarkable second career in healthcare administration.
This candid, unhurried narrative traces how values forged in uniform — discipline, integrity, and service before self — seamlessly translated into building and leading major hospitals across South India. More than a military memoir, it is a blueprint for purposeful living: how resilience, adaptability, and quiet conviction can sustain a meaningful life across vastly different arenas.
An inspiring read for anyone drawn to stories of leadership, service, and reinvention.