“If you could see the storm within me, you wouldn’t believe the peace on my face.”
Most women dream of their Prince Charming, who would come and rescue them. This was not the case for Captain Shalini, a brave young woman whose fate brought her face to face with challenges she had not even dreamt of. This inspirational lady became her own knight in shining (olive- green) armour. Her tale will reaffirm your faith in the spirit and strength of womanhood.
Here’s her story-
In 1997, Shalini- a delicate and charming young girl- got married to a young army officer. Striving for her own individuality despite an early marriage, she continued her studies even after her marriage. Within two years of marriage, the happy couple was blessed with more happiness in the form of a sprightly baby boy. Shalini’s life could not get any better; she was a loved fauji wife, a delighted mother, and a sincere and successful student. Indeed, life did not get better for her happiness was soon to be snatched away by a cruel twist of fate.
Her husband, Major Avinash Singh Bhadauria was posted in Kashmir in 2001. The separation was naturally tough for the family. Their interactions consisted of long- distance trunk calls or through Army exchange facilities. These calls were awaited with desperation since they were the only point of contact between them. In the early hours of September 28th 2001, came a call from Major Avinash’s unit (8 Rashtriya Rifles) that turned Shalini’s world upside down. She was informed with great remorse that her husband was no more. He had fought valiantly against an offensive attack for his country and single- handedly killed four terrorists. In the fight that followed, he suffered gunshots and died a martyr at a young age of 29 years.
A 23 year old Shalini was distraught beyond comprehension. Her worst nightmare was now her reality. One can only imagine her helplessness and emotional trauma at this critical juncture. Amongst the break down and chaos she looked at her two year old son, Dhruv, who had just lost his father and was more helpless than she was. At this moment, she decided to take charge of her life and be her son’s pillar of strength. She decided to give up pitying her state of life and work for a better future. Her gumption and courage in this terrible time is worthy of applause.
With a renewed zest for life and a son that gave meaning to her world, she started to walk on a long and challenging path. She made up her mind to join the Indian Army as a lady officer! She knew it would not be convenient for a girl who had always been pampered by her family, and was fragile in temperament and demeanour. Moreover, she could not neglect her duties as a mother to an infant. However, now that she had nerves of steel, she was determined to be physically resilient too. With support and guidance from her loved ones and her late husband’s colleagues and their familes, she started preparing herself for the ordeal. She got acquainted with the challenges coming her way. She worked hard for the written examination (CDS) and the tough SSB procedure. She even had to quit her post- graduation studies. Her path was laced with difficulties and her task was herculean, but she was ready for it all. She considered her son to be her strength and motivating factor, not her weakness. She worked with grit and focus.
Her strength and courage did not go unrewarded. In December 2001, the SSB at Allahabad declared her to be a fit candidate for the Indian Army. Eventually, she even cleared the medical tests, and was asked to join training at the Officers Training Academy (OTA) in Chennai. Now she faced the hardest battle she would ever have to fight. A six month long tumultuous separation from her son was on the cards now. She had to drop her fauji– wife shield and prove herself worthy of a soldier’s armour. Cadet Shalini’s training period was a difficult time for her. She was emotionally vulnerable, being away from her son. Moreover, the tough training at OTA was overwhelming for her. It was beyond her imagination and her physical stamina. Feelings of remorse and bitterness would occasionally trouble her, but she wasn’t so easy to be brought down. On September 7th 2002, she was finally commissioned as an officer in the Indian Army; that too within a year of her husband’s unfortunate and untimely death. She was now Captain Shalini Singh, an accomplished woman and a true achiever. Dhruv himself pipped the epaulettes on her strong shoulders, a gesture symbolic of her commendable feat as a mother and a woman.
Things settled down relatively for this brave lady soon afterwards. Her husband was awarded the Kirti Chakra (The second highest peace time gallantry award) posthumously, which she herself received in uniform from President Shri APJ Abdul Kalam. One can imagine that her life was not free of hurdles even after this. Life as an officer is tough, as it includes remote postings, frequent movement, and an unstable lifestyle. As a single mother and a lady officer, she must have faced many challenges in her life. However, she did not let the cruelties of the world stop her from constructing a solid future for her son. In this regard, she proved to be equal in mettle to her brave husband.
Six years after her commissioning, Captain Shalini left the Indian Army to give her son a more stable life. She worked at an MNC to provide a good home for Dhruv. Currently, she is on sabbatical to help him with his studies and career goals. On her aspirations for their future, she says:
“As a single parent, if you really ask me my dreams and aspirations in life, I only wish to see my son grow big in life and live up to his father’s name. That’s what I tell him. That’s all that I want and wish for. If he does well my sacrifices of this life do not matter at all. I will thank my stars for being kind on us now.”
Incidentally, on April 14th 2017, Captain Shalini was crowned ‘Classic Mrs India 2017 Queen of Substance’ at New Delhi. Needless to say, she deserves this title in every way possible.
In a largely patriarchal society, Captain Shalini’s story restores faith in individuality and womanhood. She is surely an inspiration to millions of women in the country. Her poignant tale teaches us that our will is stronger than our challenges. If you think your life is hard, think again. You are stronger than your troubles. We offer a salute to this unique officer and distinguished mother.
