ayesha.a
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@Abingdonboy , an inspirational story. She indeed is a wife anyone would be proud of, if they were in Major Verma's shoes, RIP.
In the Indian army, it is a common desire among many jawans that their sons should become officers - they yearn for that out of paternal pride. When they get to say "Mera beta afsar ban gaya.", is one of the proudest moments for them. This holds in some police forces as well.
But last year, for the first time in the IA's history, the wife of a jawan achieved this feat - and that too, just months after her husband's martyrdom. (Lt Priya Semwal, wife of shaheed Naik Amit Sharma). She metaphorically plucked the rifle out of her husband's funeral pyre, and answered the call of the nation. This is her, with her daughter:
It is encouraging to note that war widows these days are no longer contend to be ceremonial "Veer Naari"s - a dubious title bestowed upon them upon their husbands' deaths in the line of duty - but are now actually earning that title by joining the forces.
Fallen jawan’s wife turns lieutenant - The Hindu
This is an article about the present case:
Army widow turns battle-ready officer - The Times of India
Army widow turns battle-ready officer - The Times of India
CHENNAI: As an Army officer's wife, Ruchi Verma had a peaceful life till 2013 when her husband Major Vineet Verma died in action in the insurgency-hit Balipara, Assam.
The 'veer nari' title given to army widows wasn't enough for Verma: She stepped out of the comforts of her home and virtually took over her husband's duty to the nation, enrolling herself at the Officer's Training Academy, Chennai last year. On Saturday, Verma, 24, was among the 185 cadets of OTA who were formally inducted as officers of the Indian Army.
"My life has turned upside down since I joined the training academy," said Ruchi, who hopes her five-year old son Akshat Verma will join the Army someday. "I always liked being an officer's lady," she said, after the piping ceremony where she was commissioned as Lt Ruchi Verma.
"When Vineet was alive, I had a comfortable life. Servants always carried my bags. I travelled by car for even a distance of 100m. And then, as my training started, I had to run, carrying heavy weaponry," she said.
Ruchi had to crop her long tresses for the training. When it comes to hard, rigorous training, women are treated as equals to men here in the training academy, said the lady officer. "My legs ached and it became very difficult to run during the first six months of the training. But I wanted to face it, fight it and finish it. I feel fitter and ready for battle now," she said.
Ruchi's husband Vineet Verma, who joined the Army in 2006, became a Major in 2009. Since then he had been posted in field areas (line of control) all around the country. He laid down his life after seven years in service.
A native of Bareilly in Uttar Pradesh, Ruchi met Vineet, from Allahabad, after their marriage was arranged by elders. "He was committed to the service and I want to take the good work forward," she said. Their son Akshat who is to join class 1 is looked after by Ruchi's mother.
Earlier, with her husband: