My leadership philosophy draws from Indian civilisational wisdom, ethical leadership, military strategy and the experience of engineering social change. These seven ideas shape how I understand purpose, exercise authority, mobilise people and build institutions that endure.
I have applied these ideas in different ways across the Indian Army, Kashmir, Assam-Manipur and NCC, and seva initiatives for Maa Yamuna, Kangundi, and now for Maa Godavari.
Maj Gen S.P. Vishwasrao leading a rehearsal of the Tricolour hoisting at Lal Chowk, Srinagar, on 24 January 2024 … with Adv Sajid Yousuf Shah and Er Sahil Bhat (on the ladder), for 26 January 2022.
Seven ideas that shape my decisions. Each is shown here with the postings where it was put to work.
Ram Tattva is the set of principles by which Lord Ram led. Ram Rajya is the standard of governance they point to: power used as a duty, and protection and prosperity that reach everyone. Examples where I tried to apply it: 18 Rashtriya Rifles in Lolab, NCC Delhi and seva for Maa Godavari.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj built Swaraj on vision, courage and institutions that outlived him. His example taught me to start from local realities, make people partners, and build systems that keep delivering after the leader moves on. This shaped my work in Kashmir and seva for Maa Yamuna in Delhi.
Swami Vivekananda taught that a nation is built on the strength of its people, and that service is the highest worship. Seva Bhaav is that spirit in practice: work done as a duty, without making credit the aim. This is one of the key reasons for the success of Tricolour Revolutions in Assam-Manipur and in Kashmir- empower people and give them all the credit.
Arthashastra treats the state as a duty to protect its people and to know an adversary’s intent early. Thirukkural adds the ruler’s character: justice, truthful speech and clean conduct. Together they taught me that foresight wins contests, and virtue wins trust. Reading Pakistan’s purpose for Pulwama Attack in 2019 & the Tricolour At Lal Chowk, 2022 are evidence.
Manoeuvre warfare and Observe–Orient–Decide–Act loop teach that victory goes to the side that understands the situation, attacks the opponent’s plan (not just the opponent) and decides and acts faster, not to the side with more force. I used them in Lolab, Assam and Srinagar, at both the strategic and the tactical levels.
Change is designed, not left to chance. From Dictatorship to Democracy and The Tipping Point showed me how small, well-chosen actions by ordinary people can shift a society. In Kashmir, women stitched and sold 16,000 Tricolours and 1,400 veterans volunteered as COVID warriors. In Delhi, 36,000 cadets became Yamuna Rakshaks.
“Lage Raho” (Keep at it, till it is done) is the spirit of perseverance: staying with a good cause through obstacles and changing circumstances. A vision needs perseverance as much as a plan. It carried my work from the Siachen Glacier to Lolab, Srinagar and the Runners-Up Cup at NCC Delhi. It does not end with my retirement as I am re-attiring, not retiring.
Four qualities of Lord Shri Ram—and how I have sought to apply their lessons in leadership and public service.
Lessons from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in purposeful leadership, Swaraj, strategic courage and institution-building.
Three teachings from Swami Vivekananda—and how they have influenced my approach to leadership, character and service.
Leaders of our societies have never been either generals or kings, but Rishis.
He whose love knows no end, and never stops to consider high or low, has the whole world lying at his feet.
Nobody will come to help you if you put yourself forward as a leader… Kill self first if you want to succeed.
I draw on Chanakya for strategic foresight and statecraft, and from Thiruvalluvar for virtue, sound judgement and the responsibilities of leadership.
In the absence of a magistrate the strong will swallow the weak; but under his protection, the weak resist the strong.
The world will flock round the one leading a blameless life doing social service.
Dynamically balanced deployment of hard and soft power in Lolab, Assam and Kashmir to isolate and neutralise the adversary and the ideas that sustain the adversarial competition.
In reality, a higher level of war always trumps a lower.
MANOEUVRE WARFARE IS BASED ON TRUST. TRUST AND INITIATIVE AMONG SUBORDINATES, LEAD TO FASTER OODA CYCLES AND VICTORY.
Dreams that took years, and the persistence behind them.
For Lage Raho to became our attitude, we started small, by making it our greeting, “Lage Raho 18”. The team cap followed.
In 2009, Lt Gen Rajinder Singh, my former GOC Kilo Force, made me present my transformation of 18 RR to 60 officers in Bhopal. One of them saw a book in it.
The book was written to share knowledge. It is a true account of the transformation of 18 Rashtriya Rifles and with it, 60,000 people of Lolab, Kashmir 2006-2008
As I was a serving Army officer, I had to leave out a large number of details. Hence, a second edition is planned for 2027. The promotion of the book was self-managed in true Lage Raho style.
I had waited for 14 years to deliver bloodless peace to Kashmiris. Only a ‘Lage Raho Attitude’ could have kept me on course.
Four qualities of Shri Ram, and where each was applied.
Four qualities of Shri Ram, and where each was applied.
Four qualities of Shri Ram, and where each was applied.
"The Universe will come to make your big dream or vision happen if it is founded on goodness for society and is pursued with Lage Raho attitude."
Our dream ‘Dal’s first Floating Village’ went from ₹20 lakh in 2022 to a ₹250 crore government project in 2026
TadEkam’s dream ‘Bouldering in Kangundi’ produced a 8A boulder connecting the Inselberg Shivling with Basava (Nandi) at the base of the Inselberg Shivling cum Fort, January 2026
Engineering Social Change
Five steps, one idea: people carry the change.
1
Educate Team on New Idea
Dhai Moorti Force Ethos
Key tactic: Every member of society has to be attracted to join the change movement
Me as DIG 22 Sector Assam Rifles in Assam-Manipur explaining my Vision of ‘All Tribes, One India’ and the relevance of people-friendly ethos.
The ethos was explained through the anecdote of Dhai Moorti- the demi-official logo of Assam Rifles with its message of ‘Assam Rifles are friends of Hill People’.
2
Train Team on Plan
Lies of Pakistan
Key tactic: The Commander/ CEO has to educate the team on the plan’s execution.
I used personal meetings & social media to educate people in Assam-Manipur, Kashmir & NCC Delhi.
My YouTube channel in Assam was @dhaimoortidimahasao9163
My X accounts in Kashmir were @s_deceit and @LageRahoKashmir.
My Instagram account for NCC and Yamuna was @sanjay.p.Vishwasrao.
3
Make New Ideas Go Viral
Making of Most Popular Selfie Point
Key tactic: All messages have to be made sticky so that the idea goes viral.
The visit of Lt Gen & Mrs DP Pandey to Lal Chowk at 9:30 pm on 15 August 2021 was used to create a sticky message.
This photo, shot by me, was framed and gifted to Lt Gen DP Pandey, Chinar Corps Commander.
This photo made the new look Tricolour Lal Chowk one of the most popular selfie location of Bharat/ India.
4
Widen Popular Support
NCC Delhi for Yamuna
Key tactic: Every member of society has to be attracted to join the change movement
We first trained 36,000 cadets across 550 schools/ colleges as Yamuna Rakshaks. Thereafter, their schools/ colleges spread the message across Delhi. It was included in the BJP’s Delhi Assembly election2025 manifesto. Now, Prime Minister Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Minister Rekha Gupta are leading this jan bhagidari movement.
5
People Change Status Quo
Tricolour at Lal Chowk, Srinagar
Key tactic: Whole of society embraces the change (new idea or product)
After the tipping point of ‘Kashmir for Tricolour’ was breached in 2022, we won ‘bloodless peace’ and Tricolours became the new normal in Kashmir.
Warning: Halting the process midway will lead to a roll back to business as usual.