An Army Wife: A Virtue of Courage
Mrs. Shivani Vats is the wife of late Maj. Navneet Vats who believes that her life is a love story! She strongly believes that they have not lost Navneet, it’s just the distance between them. See the
The life of Mrs. Shivani Vats, wife of late Major Navneet Vats’ is like a movie love story! Shivani and her daughter do not think that Navneet is not there. They feel that he is just far away from them. Shivani was from a pure olive green family. She was sure that she would marry an army man. In 1994, Shivani and Navneet met through common friends in Panchkula, Chandigarh. When they met, it was love at first sight. Navneet was sure about marrying her. In 1998 when Navneet was posted in Belgaum, Karnataka he travelled two nights in a general compartment to reach Delhi, took an early morning bus ride to Chandigarh and went directly to Shivani’s house. Shivani opened the door and was shocked to see Navneet outside with his bag and asking her to get married. Shivani was awestruck and instantly agreed.
Army people always have leave issues, so Shivani and Navneet quickly got married on 24th August 1998 in a full filmy style wedding. Everyone was worried and there was a huge chaos, but the couple was very happy.After marriage when Navneet took Shivani to his unit, the Commanding Officer jokingly asked “Shaadi karke laye ho, ya bhagake?” (Did you marry her or have eloped with her). She was welcomed with open arms into his unit and Shivani mixed well with the troops. On 20th November 2003 Navneet while fighting militants to evacuate the Srinagar Telecom building attained martyrdom. The unit called up Shivani and informed her about the tragic death of Major Navneet. Shivani was shocked as she was not prepared for this. She always believed that Navneet will come back. Navneet had left behind Shivani and a three year old daughter. After the military honours and funeral, Shivani broke down. She did not know what was there in the future for her.
But Shivani is proud that her learning from the army culture had made her stronger and more confident in life. Remembering the last glimpses of Navneet’s courageous face, she applied for a Teacher post at Army Public School and got selected. Shivani decided to take up the job and nurture the kids of army personnel. Now Shivani is popularly known as the heartthrob of the APS Chandimandir. She still mentions Navneet’s name in her conversations. Everyone knows her as a very lively person, who is always smiling. The reason behind this smile is her promise to Navneet. Navneet never wanted a cry-cry wife. Shivani had registered this thought in her mind and this helps her to keep going on till now.
