Widow of Major, Gauri Mahadik Joined The Indian Army As Lieutenant

Widow of Major Prasad Mahadik, Gauri Mahadik joined the Indian Army this March, making it a milestone in her personal journey and the history of Indian army. On March 7, 2020, she joined the army as a Lieutenant after the passing-out ceremony from the Officers Training Academy (OTA).  She joined the wives of the martyred soldiers who have put on the uniform.

The thirty-three-year-old took a 49-week training course at the OTA in Chennai. Her training started in April 2019.  Gauri will be posted in the non-technical category of war widows. Gauri married Major Prasad in 2015.  Major Prasad joined the Army in 2012. He died in a fire at his camp at Tawang on December 30, 2017, when he was posted in the 7th Battalion of the Bihar Regiment.

Meet Gauri:

• 167 cadets graduated from the OTA. Out of the 167 cadets, 31 were women cadets.
• Gauri was a company Secretary and a law graduate earlier. She quit her job to prepare for the Service Selection board examination.
• Gauri who stays with in-laws, Thanked her in-laws for supporting her. She also thanked them for helping her achieve her dreams.

Read Also: A Tribute To The Forces Wives Who Are A Special Breed Of People

167 cadets graduated from the OTA. Out of the 167 cadets, 31 were women cadets. The Chief guest at the passing out parade was The Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Karambir Singh. Gauri was a company Secretary and a law graduate earlier. She quit her job to prepare for the Service Selection board examination. Gauri didn't clear the exam in her first attempt due to a lack of preparation. However, she topped in the widowed category in her second attempt.

I think this would be the real tribute to my husband who is my real inspiration and hero also.

Gauri wanted to join the army as a tribute to her late husband. She said earlier "After my husband's death, I was thinking what to do next...I thought I can not just sit and cry." She further added, "So I decided that I should do something for him and make him proud." Furthermore, she said, "I decided to follow his footsteps and with a determination that I will wear his stars and uniform, started preparing for SSB examination." She also said, "I think this would be the real tribute to my husband who is my real inspiration and hero also."

"Right now I cannot join the combat forces, but if given a chance, I would definitely like to join the combat forces.”

Gauri said in a video posted by Defence PRO, Chennai “If I am wearing the uniform, I will feel his presence.” She further said, “He was in the infantry." She further added, "Right now I cannot join the combat forces, but if given a chance, I would definitely like to join the combat forces.” The 167 cadets were commissioned in the various wings of the Indian Army. Gauri who stays with in-laws, Thanked her in-laws for supporting her. She also thanked them for helping her achieve her dreams.

Read Also: Army Widow Gives Husband The Ultimate Tribute, Trains To Join Forces

Mansi is an Intern at SheThePeople.TV