Applauding the Wife of Pulwama Attack Martyr, Lt. Nikita Kaul who Joins the Indian Army!
Things went haywire in the Dhoundiyal household on the black day of February 2019 when the news of their only son, Major Vibhuti Shankar Dhoundiyal’s demise broke out. Soon, his wife, Nikita Kaul, whom he had married less than a year ago, decided to follow his footsteps and serve the nation by joining the Indian Army. Six months after his sacrifice, she aced her Short Service Commission (SSC) exam and interview and started her training in Officers Training Academy (OTA) Chennai. The 29-year-old left her job in a multinational company in Noida.
After a year of rigorous training completed with utmost dedication, she was commissioned as a lieutenant on May 29, 2021. Lt. Gen. Y.K. Joshi, Commanding-in-Chief of the Udhampur-based Northern Command, himself pipped the stars on her shoulder. He congratulated Lieutenant Kaul and wished her luck in her future endeavors.
Major Dhoundiyal was one of the four army men killed in the encounter with Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorists in the Pulwama district. He was on the trail of the militants who were behind the Pulwama attack that bombed the convoy carrying 40 CRPF soldiers. He was awarded Shaurya Chakra posthumously for his service. The nation will never forget the sacrifices of the major.
When asked how long they had been married in the interview, she said two years instead of nine months. “Vibhu is not here physically, but that doesn’t mean our marriage has ended,” she explained. Her husband’s loss was devastating to Lt. Kaul, but she made an inspiring decision to become a brave soldier like him. In an emotional statement after getting commissioned, she said, “I’ve experienced the same journey he has been through. I believe he’s always going to be part of my life.”
Lt. Kaul’s dedication and perseverance made her dreams come true and hopefully Major Dhoundiyals’ too, who she says always wanted her to do better than him. With the olive green uniform, she wears the pride of her martyred husband, family, and billions of Indians who were rooting for her.
In a video shared on ANI’s Twitter page, Kaul was recorded saying, “The journey has been marvelous. And I believe my journey has just started. Last 11 months have made me learn so many things in my life. I want to thank everyone who has kept faith in me. Please have faith in yourself. There is absolutely nothing that can stop you from achieving what you have aimed for. Just have faith. Jai Hind! Be safe.”
There have been many instances in the past where the widows of the martyred soldiers have vowed to serve the nation. The Indian Army offers an age relaxation for the widows of defense personnel with/without children. It gives them an opportunity to pay homage to their husbands and carry their legacy forward. The nation is proud of Lt. Nikita Kaul and all the women officers like her. We at Fuzia congratulate all of them for their achievements and hope they continue to make us proud.
Last year, the Supreme Court of India ordered that women officers be granted permanent commissions in the army. However, discriminatory selection criteria is acting as a barrier. Read the blog here about the SC’s ruling calling the criteria “arbitrary.” You can check out our other blogs here.
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Originally published at https://www.fuzia.com.