Shaping Destiny
by Kanwal Sethi

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Major Kanwal Sethi was a prominent character in the early days of independent Kenya’s military story—but his personal story is more fascinating still. Here he regales readers with tales of his life, from its beginnings as an ambitious young man who learned early on about the importance of honour, hard work and selflessness. Shaping Destiny tells Sethi’s story, from the migration of his Indian family to colonial Kenya, where he witnessed his new homeland’s nascent evolution. In this environment, Sethi launches himself on a military path that’s colourful, dramatic, and often grippingly turbulent. In Shaping Destiny, readers get intimate access to Sethi’s adventures as a distinguished and decorated career soldier—a nontraditional choice for an Indian. More than that, they get access to the ups and downs of an emerging country and continent during a period in world history that saw a great number of former colonies break free and establish themselves in a newly independent era. The resulting storytelling is excellent; peppered with tumult, courage, resilience and the conviction of a man of his word. Here is a soldier through and through, from his enlistment in the King’s African Rifles of the British Army in 1962, through his esteemed officer training at Sandhurst and Camberley in the UK, and his time served with the newly formed Kenya Army. Throughout, this remarkable man—who lifted his life from truly humble beginnings in rural Africa to a reinvention as a businessman in Canada, the country to which he retired at the end of his army career—offers extraordinary adventure, encounters with captivating characters, and the opportunity for authentic enlightenment.

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“ A fascinating, colourful, dramatic and extraordinary account of a distinguished and decorated career soldier who braved his way with courage through a turbulent era and fortunately for us, his final destination was Canada. Maj General Lew MacKenzie, CM, MSC and bar,  OOnt, CD Retired Canadian Army, Author and Media Commentator “                                           “Major Kanwal Sethi - Kenya Army (retired) - has written a superb account of the very important period during which his adopted country transitioned to independence. His writing provides an  intriguing parallel between the challenges which confronted Kenya and the personal challenges he overcame as he rose from humble beginnings to become a distinguished military professional. Throughout his career, both as a military officer and as a successful businessman, he has served as the exemplar of the values – both personal and professional – of which he writes. A very highly recommended read for the historian, the military professional and for the student of  values-based leadership. Lieutenant-General Fred Sutherland CMM, CD, Royal Canadian Air Force (retired)  Senior Mentor, Canadian Forces College” "This is an exceptional story of a man dedicated to his service, his family and his country. Courage and integrity are the very foundation of this soldier who eventually found his way to a new country where he has made a significant and positive difference. Vice Admiral Greg Maddison, CMM, MSC, CD, D Sci Mil (Hon),Royal Canadian Navy (Retired)" “Kanwal Sethi was a highly decorated soldier who actually lived history and his sweeping story   from Sandhurst to Kenya to Canada—proves that while the road less travelled may be the    hardest path, it is one that leads to true wisdom. --Dwight Hamilton, (Bestselling author, Inside Canadian Intelligence and Terror Threat)”

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Major Kanwal Sethi enlisted in the King’s African Rifles in 1962, and was commissioned into the new Kenya Army in 1964. Along the way, he won prestigious training positions at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and the British Army Staff College, in Camberley, UK. Sethi was badly wounded in a combat action fighting the secessionist shifta insurgency, and was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for bravery and leadership. Throughout his army years, Sethi enjoyed an extraordinary career on the sidelines of history, which he then followed up with an equally successful second act as an entrepreneur in Canada, where he migrated with his family in 1980. He lives in Toronto and is extensively involved as a volunteer at the Canadian Forces College and the Royal Canadian Legion.

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Contributors

Author

Kanwal Sethi

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