Please read this truly heartwarming report in The Hindu about Priya Semwal, “who lost her husband in a counter-insurgency operation two years back, (and) was inducted into the technical wing of the Armed Force as a young officer” around 4 weeks back.
It is heartwarming that Priya, who was a first-year undergraduate student when she got married, completed her graduation and post-graduation, acquired a degree in teaching, and took up a job, all after marriage, and that her husband, Amit Sharma had encouraged her to do this.
However, what is most heartwarming is the fact that, not only did Col. Arun Agarwal, her late husband’s Commanding Officer take the initiative of suggesting to Priya that she should become an officer in the Army, he also put in the effort to enable her and her family to overcome their apprehensions. The icing on the cake was his gesture of travelling from the northern border to the southern part of India to attend her passing out parade.
Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan (‘Hail the soldier, Hail the farmer’ in Hindi) was a slogan coined by Lal Bahadur Shastri, India’s second Prime Minister in 1965. Among the many slogans coined by political leaders in India, Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan is probably the only slogan that has continued to inspire all Indians from the time it was created till today, almost 50 years later.
However, while we are genuinely enthusiastic about Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan, I personally think we hail our soldiers and farmers much more in word, much less in deed.
Col. Arun Agarwal’s concern for his soldier’s family, and his support to them after the soldier’s death, is an inspiration to all of us to hail our soldiers and farmers not only in word, but also in deed.
Proactive Indian 
Yes indeed hats off to Col. Agarwal not only for mentoring his officer’s widow but making it a point to be present at her passing out parade. It is great of the family to encourage Priya’s ambitions and not blame destiny. Jai Jawan,Jai Kisaan in the truest sense!
Yes, Nagesh. The family’s support (and not blaming destiny, etc.) is praiseworthy.
You have written such an inspirational piece. I agree with you, we love to be proud of our soldiers but there is still a lot more required to give them the respect they deserve.
Truly inspirational & heartwarming read. The armed forces have set such high standards that this is what you would expect from the premier organisation in India. I salute both Col. Arun Agarwal & Mrs. Priya Semwal.
What a heartwarming story, Pro. Thank you for sharing.
It is indeed a beautiful gesture… Moving story.
indeed Jai Jawan!
So heartwarming indeed. May the Colonel’s tribe increase!
You have said it correctly -we hail this slogan more in word than in deed. It becomes more obvious when we see the apathy and indifference and neglect that the political class dishes out at the brave soldiers and the poor farmers. This was an inspiring post, thanks for writing this!
Beauty Interprets, Expresses, Manifests the Eternal
Very nice, Pro!
By the way, the other day I walked into the Bank of Baroda for something and when I left, was stopped at the entrance by a jawan who urged me to make a contribution for families who lost their jawans at the border. In return he gave me a sticker. i was happy to see, when he noted it down in his book, lots of people had generously given.
A good reason to admire soldiers!
Read about it in The Hindu. Was deeply moved by the young lady’s determination, and her husband’s deep interest in ensuring she pursued her education. More inspiring yet is the action of the CO of her late husband’s unit. Wonderful. Perfect post for letter J.
Jai Hind.
A warm post ! Hats off Col Aggarwal for doing all that he did for Priya and the family !
very inspiring story ..I just hope they increase in number…