Last Updated on April 8, 2026 5:15 pm by BIZNAMA NEWS
AMN
In a deeply personal episode of International Movement To Unite Nations (I.I.M.U.N.)’s ‘Before I Became Me’, General Upendra Dwivedi, the Chief of Indian Army Staff, shared rare insights into the experiences that shaped his inner world long before he rose to one of the highest positions in the Indian Army.
Hosted by Rishabh Shah, the podcast continues its tradition of going beyond public personas to uncover the formative years, struggles and defining moments of influential individuals. This conversation stood out for its honesty, offering a glimpse into the role of faith and spirituality in navigating the extreme realities of military life.
Reflecting on his early days, General Dwivedi shared: “When I joined the unit — I am from 18th Battalion in Jammu and Kashmir Rifles — that unit, we used to have Durga Mata. So when my buddy who was there with me, he said in 1985, I remember, he said, ‘Aap Durga Mata ko poojte hain.’ I said, ‘No, I don’t know much about it.’ He gave me a small portrait, and you won’t believe that portrait is still with me. The only thing is I am not allowed to touch it because my wife keeps it. But what is important is that the faith started. When we saw how people are coming back from the jaws of death, how people standing have suddenly gone to the above world, then you realize that these things are important — and what is panic? how people can be controlled? all these things, when you see them, you feel that spiritualism is important. And that’s why when you have spiritualism, sthirta apne aap aa jaati hai.” His words capture the profound connection between lived experience, belief and the emotional resilience required in life-and-death situations.
Before I Became Me builds on such powerful reflections, exploring not just achievements but the human journeys behind them. By weaving together personal stories with conversations on identity, failure, leadership and purpose, the series offers young audiences a deeper, more meaningful lens on success. Through voices like General Dwivedi’s, the podcast reinforces its central question—who were you before the world knew you—and encourages listeners to reflect on their own values, choices and growth in an increasingly fast-paced and surface-driven world.