Allen Career Institute
It was the ill-fated day of February 14, 2019, when 40 CRPF personnel were killed in the Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir, India; attacked by a vehicle-borne suicide bomber.
To punish the wrongdoers, the Indian army conducted a major operation of which Major Vibhuti Dhoundiyal was also a part. Though the operation was successful as the Indian army managed to kill the top terrorist of the Jaish-e-Mohammad group, Major Vibhuti lost his life fighting the coward terrorists in Pulwama on February 18, 2019.
Just a day after when he was supposed to celebrate his birthday, Major Vibhuti was brought home for his last rites.
While the nation dropped sympathy, there was one person who stood firm and proved to be the real brave heart. And this person was none other than Major Vibhuti’s wife, Nitika Kaul Dhoundiyal.
Their marriage was not even a year old when Nitika had to face such grave loss. But she never let her emotions take over the pride she feels over her husband’s martyrdom.
When performing the last rites of husband Vibhuti, Nitika made it clear before everyone present that she was very proud of her husband. And to pay him the perfect tribute, she decided to fill in his shoes.
Leaving behind a well-paying job in an MNC, she made up her mind to join the Indian army. She filled the SSC form right 6 months after her husband’s demise. Her hard work and determination paid off well as she has successfully cleared the Short Service Commission (SSC) exam and interview.
Right after one year of this tragedy, Nitika is now all set to join the Indian army and don the uniform.
Speaking about the same, she says “I have cleared the Short Service Commission (SSC) exam, both interview and medical. I’m now waiting for the merit list. I’m hoping I will make through it, I will be joining Army”.
Recalling her preparation for SSC, she shared, “I worked very hard to qualify. Now I want to excel in one year of training. I want to be an officer who everyone can be proud of, Vibhu can be proud of”.
Nitika, who still feels husband Vibhuti as part of her life, says, “The interview board asked me how long I was married. I said, ‘two years’. They said, ‘But we heard you both were married for nine months…’. I said, ‘Vibhu is not here physically but that doesn’t mean our marriage has ended’.”
Nitika has proved that she is a gallant and resolute woman; her courage is commendable that after having lost her husband for the country’s safety, she is all keen to follow his footsteps.
We salute her spirit and hope that she makes it to the army fulfilling her desire of bringing pride to her husband’s name.
Tags: Indian Army | Pulwama Attack | Jammu & Kashmir | Nitika Kaul Dhoundiyal | Major Vibhuti Dhoundiyal
