Every year on Kargil Vijay Diwas, I write about the courage of our soldiers, their unwavering patriotism, and the Supreme sacrifice they made to protect our nation. As an Army child these stories are etched deep in my hand.
But this year, I want to turn the page to an equally painful chapter of war – one that rarely receives the attention it deserves. The war widows…Veer Naris. While honouring the courage, resilience and unwavering strength of the martyrs, we need to show our enduring commitment to stand by the families of the Bravehearts and preserve the legacy of their supreme sacrifice.
When a soldier is martyred, the nation mourns. His name is engraved on memorials, medals are awarded, and tributes are paid. But when the ceremonies end, a young woman returns home, not as a wife, but as a widow. Overnight she becomes everything that she was not necessarily prepared for – an involuntary single mother raising children who will never again hear their father’s voice; a daughter-in-law caring for grieving, ageing, parents who have lost their son; a manager of family finances; legal responsibilities and in many cases, coffee estates, farms or ancestral properties that was a part of her husband’s inheritance.
She wipes away her own tears so that her children can smile. She hides her loneliness so that her ageing parents-in-law can find strength. She makes every difficult decisions alone, while carrying a grief that never truly leaves her.
These women never asked for medals. They sought only for a future with the man they loved. War widows do not fight on snow- covered peaks. They fight silent battles within their homes. Every school admission, medical emergency, harvest, family celebrations and every milestone is faced alone. Their strength is tested not for weeks or months but for decades.
As an Army child, I have always believed that when a soldier serves the nation, his family serves alongside him. And when he makes the ultimate sacrifice, his family continues that service in silence.
Kargil Vijay Diwas is not only about remembering those who fell in battle. It is also about remembering the women who carried forward their legacy with extraordinary courage.
The nation rightly salutes its martyrs. It must also stand beside the women who transformed unbearable loss into unwavering strength.
While the Kargil war ended in July 1999 , the responsibilities of these women did not. They are still raising children, caring for ageing parents, managing homes, estates and livelihoods. They continue to carrying the burden of sacrifice with quiet dignity.
Their battle is silent. Their courage is extraordinary and their story deserves to be remembered as long as India remembers Kargil. Wars may end on the battle field, but for these women, the battle continues for a lifetime.
Today being Kargil Vijay Diwas, let us bow our heads not only before the brave soldiers who gave us victory, but also before the war widows whose courage reminds us that the longest battles are often fought in silence. In my own small voice, may I also ask the powers that be in the Government to spare a thought and ensure that the families of the martyred souls and those incapacitated in action for the Nation be looked after with compassion and pride.
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Wonderfully written article on the war that never ends for some but lasts a life time and is fought silently with no medals or honours.
The military does not start a war; politicians do. Seldom do politicians nor their families join the armed forces.
“A nation that continues year after year to spend more money on military defense than on programs of social uplift is approaching spiritual doom”.
Martin Luther King Jr.
Wow! What an article! Blessed to read .Goes beyond remembering Kargil as a military victory. This reminds us that while the nation celebrates the bravery of its soldiers, the lives of war widows are a story of courage that deserves equal recognition. Hats off Mamatha! Brilliant writings.
As a veteran, I, Colonel Manmeet Singh, SM, with 40 years of distinguished Army service and now at 71 years of age, offer my standing ovation to this touching article. Kudos to the author. But what can we expect when even Mumbai’s infamous prime housing scam, carried out in the name of Kargil war widows, remains unresolved?
It’s the war widow who deserves the salute of the nation. It’s this women who the nation must make every effort to rehabilitate & strengthen. It’s this women who the nation must give enough strength to fly again. It’s then we can say that the nation has done it’s duty towards that fallen soldier. Jai Hind.
Very thoughtful article by Mamatha Subbaiah.
The Armed Forces could possibly consider creating the equivalent of AWWA for War Widows and their families. It’s not just financial support that they need, but empathetic program to support them in non-monetary terms.
The Kodava Officers could take the lead and set up an organisation for looking after Kodava families for starters. The Akhila Kodava Samaja and the network of Kodava Samajas could extend their organizational support.
Well said Mamatha. As an Army Veteran I have always considered the wives and mothers as The Bravest of the Braves. They have to deal with life after the soldiers falls (or is injured) in action.
We all need to support these women and their children.