The widow of Major Vibhuti Shankar Dhoundiyal, who was martyred in the Pulwama attack in Jammu and Kashmir in 2019, donned the Army uniform as she joined the Indian Army on Saturday. Meanwhile, Army's northern command Lt Gen YK Joshi piped stars on her shoulders at a ceremony held at the Officers Training Academy in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. She is now commissioned as a Lieutenant in the Indian Army.
Soon after her husband's death, Nikita left her corporate job and had been training at the Officers Training Academy in Chennai since last year after passing the Short Service Commission (SSC) examination and the Service Selection Board (SSB) interview.
Meanwhile, Union Minister Smriti Irani also praised the newly commissioned officer on social media. She tweeted, "Lt. @NitikaKaul, you're an embodiment of dedication, determination and devotion of India's Nari Shakti. Major Vibhuti Dhoundiyal would be smiling today with joy and pride seeing Stars on your shoulder. My best wishes to you in all your endeavours."
On February 14, 2019, a CRPF convoy attacked in Pulwama, in which 40 soldiers martyred. After the terrorist attack, the army carried out an operation to pile up the terrorists in Pinglan village of Pulwama. Meanwhile, in this operation, four soldiers were martyred, including Major rank officer Vibhuti Dhoundiyal.
When Major Dhoundiyal's body reached his home, his wife Nikita Kaul said, "I am really proud. We all love you. The way you love everyone entirely different because you sacrificed your life for the people who you may have never met, but still you decided to give your life for them. You are such a brave man. I'll love you till my last breath. I owe my life to you. Yes, it's hurting that you're leaving but I know you will always be around."
