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IAF pilot Sameer Abrol was killed in a senseless Mirage crash in February 2019. His widow, Garima Abrol has shown us the way by setting on the path to joining the airforce herself.
We outsiders cannot really understand the sacrifices made by defence forces wives, no matter how much we might have heard/ read about the countless bravehearts out there.
They face numerous challenges in their lives. Staying away from their husbands itself is a huge challenge. There is this everyday fear of losing them. And then, there are so many Veer Naris out there who have lost their loved ones yet are embracing fate with stern will and pride. Their sacrifices are unimaginable.
Losing a loved one not only causes huge pain and trauma, but, for many, accepting the reality itself takes a real long time. Some dwell in their memories, some try to overcome it, a few others pay tribute to their soul mates in their own ways.
Garima Abrol is one such woman who showed her mettle of by trying to live the life of her lost husband. She decided to keep the legacy going!
Garima Abrol, who is a Zumba instructor, is the wife of late Indian Air Force (IAF) pilot Samir Abrol who died in a Mirage crash earlier this February. She has cleared the Services Selection Board (SSB) and may soon be eligible to join the forces.
Retired Air Marshall Anil Chopra said on Twitter that Garima Abrol, is a “woman of exceptional substance” and has cleared Services Selection Board from Varanasi and may get an opportunity to join IAF’s academy in Telangana in 2020.
Mrs Garima Abrol, wife of Sqn ldr Samir Abrol who martyred in Mirage2000 fighter plane crash while test flying it at HAL Airport. To join Air Force Academy. Woman of exceptional substance and will join @IAF_MCC in Jan 2020.Not all woman are made equal some are Armed forces Wives pic.twitter.com/gY7G8pV7f3Never miss real stories from India's women.Register Now — Aviator Anil Chopra (@Chopsyturvey) July 14, 2019
Mrs Garima Abrol, wife of Sqn ldr Samir Abrol who martyred in Mirage2000 fighter plane crash while test flying it at HAL Airport. To join Air Force Academy. Woman of exceptional substance and will join @IAF_MCC in Jan 2020.Not all woman are made equal some are Armed forces Wives pic.twitter.com/gY7G8pV7f3
— Aviator Anil Chopra (@Chopsyturvey) July 14, 2019
For many, at such times, life may seem daunting, without knowing what to do, and where to go. But Garima has shown the grit and determination to face life. While on one side, she is pondering why fate has done this to her; at the other end, she gets strong and is determined to take forward the legacy of courageous service to the nation.
In one of her posts on Facebook, she mentions how clueless she feels after losing her husband:
“It still hasn’t sunk in that you are gone. No one has the answer to my questions. Why YOU?”
What Garima is doing is a strong reminder for all of us that life goes on, no matter what. It is in our hands to change it to something better.
Even with all the guts, glory and determination, life would never be the same again for such women. The pain of loss remains forever. Yet, Garima Abrol is a true example of a braveheart. She is an inspiration to many more of our women. She is not only showing love towards her husband by following his footsteps, but also showing her love towards the nation as well.
I take a moment to salute not only the armed forces, but to their families as well. Their contribution to our nation is unexplainable.
Image source: Facebook
I am basically a Software Engineer from Bangalore. I have worked in the IT industry for almost a decade - in India and Singapore. Currently, I am on a career break, rather a "career-switch" - I read more...
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