Pulwama Martyr Major Dhoundiyal's Wife Nitika Kaul Joins Army, Pays Befitting Tribute To Him

Following in the footsteps of her husband Major Vibhuti Shankar Dhoundiyal, who laid down his life in Pulwama, Nitika Kaul on Saturday joined the Army. It was?a proud moment for her today as she donned the Army uniform for the first time.

DRO Udhampur

Martyred during 2018 Pulwama attack

Major Vibhuti Shankar Dhoundiyal was martyred during a terrorist attack by JeM in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama in 2018. He was awarded Shaurya Chakra posthumously for his sacrifice for the nation.

Today, his wife Nikita Kaul paid a befitting tribute as she got the stars on her shoulders pipped from Army Commander Northern Command Lt Gen YK Joshi himself.

Twitter

Married just 9 months before his demise

Major Dhoundiyal was married for just 9 months before his sad demise and left his then 27-year-old wife Nikita Kaul Dhoundiyal to face his loss.But, Major Dhoundiyal's sacrifice didn't go in vain and his wife didn't sit around moping her husband's loss. She made the inspiring decision to join the Indian Army and make her husband proud.

Wife cleared SSC exam, interview

Just six months after her husband’s martyrdom, Nikita filled the Short Service Commission (SSC) form. She cleared the exam and the Services Selection Board (SSB) interview as well.She soon got commissioned at Officers Training Academy (OTA) at Chennai for her training and officially joined the Indian Army as Lieutenant Nikita Kaul Dhoundiyal on May 29, 2021.

Army

PRO Udhampur, Ministry of Defence took to its official Twitter handle and said, "#MajVibhutiShankarDhoundiyal, made the Supreme Sacrifice at #Pulwama in 2019, was awarded SC (P). Today his wife @Nitikakaul dons #IndianArmy uniform; paying him a befitting tribute. A proud moment for her as Lt Gen Y K Joshi, #ArmyCdrNC himself pips the Stars on her shoulders!"?

Twitter

Netizens praise her spirit

The brief video shared by the PRO Udhampur, Ministry of Defence on its official Twitter handle drew spontaneous praises for Kaul and the Army.

“You know why this is important because the Army never leaves its families alone even if the soldier is not there. For him to be there and support a veer nari who was married to a brother officer & now adorns the uniform herself, speaks volume about the Army Values & Code of conduct,” a netizen Swapnil Pandey, who was among thousands who viewed the tweet, said.

?Several others also praised Kaul and one of them wrote “…what a befitting tribute to the late husband. Truly inspirational story.”