Travel - International Indian

Soldiers“Please God; I Hope itis Not Him”An Army Wife Shares Her Emotional TraumaIt was the 8th of December 1971 and the war was at itsworst. The night brought the much-dreaded postman toour door with a telegram. All four women huddled withtrepidation in a corner of the verandah to await the mostchilling news. It was certain that one of the four men hadbeen killed in action. The suspense about his identity wasnerve-wracking.As recounted to Major General Mrinal Suman, AVSM, VSM, PhDThis is a true story. This is my story.This is the story of the Indo-Pak Warof December 1971.This is the story of the traumafamilies undergo when soldiers go towar. This is a story about the complex interplayof human emotions and sensitivities thatdefy description.This is the story of a medium-sized townin North India where a career in the ArmedForces is the first choice of the progeny of mostfamilies. Preparations to try for the NationalDefence Academy (NDA) commence soonafter secondary level examinations. As a result,every family has more than one member in theservices.My husband, a young Captain, was at thebattle front. I was 22 years old and expectingour first child. I had come to stay with myparents. Ours was a joint family. There werethree more women – my grandmother, mymother and my aunt.In addition to my husband, brothersof my father, my mother and my auntwere also taking an active part in the war.Understandably, there was palpable anxiety inour home concerning their well-being.Although my grandmother put up a brave92The International Indian