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It was both with pride and sadness that the nation witnessed the family members of the bravehearts being honoured by the President with gallantry medals of Kirti Chakra and Shaurya Chakra on 05 July 2024. One frame in particular stuck with the majority of us – that of Smriti Singh, wife of Captain Anshuman Singh, an Army Medical Corps officer who was posthumously awarded the Kirti Chakra, India’s second-highest peacetime gallantry award after Ashok Chakra. He was serving in Siachen with the Punjab Regiment and lost his life saving fellow soldiers in a fire accident last year, in July 2023. In the true spirit of ‘service before self’ this officer displayed exemplary valour and made the supreme sacrifice of his life. Smriti Singh, his grieving yet stoic young widow receiving the medal along with Captain Anshuman’s mother spoke about a beautiful love story cut short and the dreams of a long future together, truncated, all at once!
Unfortunately, a few days later Smriti was back in news for the wrong reasons when her parents- in -law went public, venting out their angst against her. Going to the extent of trampling on her personal space and her freedom of choice by patronizingly raking up the issue of re- marriage during this phase of grief. Such statements come across as being more insensitive towards the young lady than genuine concern or a progressive mindset, to say the least.
While one can totally understand the colossal and tragic loss of the parents having lost a son in the prime of his youth, such emotional outbursts before the media take away from the adulation with which the common citizen views the family of an intrepid soldier.
His father, a retired junior commissioned officer (JCO) deemed it germane on this solemn occasion to suggest to the army authorities to relook its next of kin (NoK) policy. This policy considers the spouse of a married soldier to be his next of kin and the sole recipient of his pension. Army sources have clarified that the Army Group Insurance Fund (AGIF) of rupees one crore was split equally between Captain Anshuman’s wife and his parents, as per his will. The pension goes to the NoK, his wife, along with certain other benefits. In addition, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister had announced rupees fifty lakhs in aid, of which 35 Lakhs went to his wife and 15 lakhs went to his parents.
For the uninitiated, when an officer is commissioned into the Army, he or she executes a will nominating the Next of Kin (NoK). The beneficiaries for the Army Group Insurance Fund (AGIF), Provident Fund and other movable or immovable properties are also defined. While there can be more than one nominee for these, there is no such option for pension and it goes only to the nominated NoK. As the newly inducted soldiers, including officers, are mostly unmarried, their parents are nominated. After marriage, they are asked to update these documents and the percentage of division for AGIF and PF between the spouse and parents are also redefined. The Commanding Officers can, at best, advise the youngsters to keep in mind the interest of both the wife and the parents. As per reports, Smriti is receiving certain benefits because she was nominated by her husband.
This case in question is atypical where Capt Anshuman’s father is himself a pensioner and his wife a qualified professional. Is his father helping the cause of a typical situation that plays out in the event of a young soldier departing in his early years? More often than not, the soldier leaves behind a young widow with small children, staring at a long and uncertain future. Most of these widows may not have the freedom of choice that Smriti has; they may just be remarried within the same family.
Should the Army continue to support a progressive option (which is enshrined in the present NoK policy) or attempt a regressive review, as demanded which may curtail the future choices of young widows? The pension allows them the freedom to move ahead in life with their own convictions. It is a complex subject. My opinion, however, is that the present policy is in a good place.
On a more emotional note, as parents of a Kirti Chakra awardee, their contribution, pride and pain can never be dwarfed. Aside from the brave widow, they too ought to be a part of any future regimental ceremonies.
Family drama of frayed parental emotions, playing on social media kills the very spirit for which he laid down his life. The saving grace is the dignified silence on the part of his young wife.
The writer is an ex- Army officer.
Views are personal.
These pieces are being published as they have been received – they have not been edited/fact-checked by ThePrint.