Major Minakshi Chandan left teaching job to join the Army to honour martyred husband

Minakshi was only 19 when she received the marriage proposal from Lieutenant Amit Chandan in early 2000. She is from a conservative family based in Patna, Bihar. Her father worked for the state government, and the family had no links to the military. But, they thought it was a good match.

Amit, who hails from Jehanabad, Bihar, was then posted in Bikaner, Rajasthan. He wanted to meet Minakshi before the marriage. So, they met, liked each other and got married six months later, in November 2000.

The couple settled in Bikaner. But, they could only spend seven months together as Amit was posted to Leh. Minakshi returned to Patna. In December 2001, the couple was blessed with a daughter, Nupur. Amit was only able to spend about a month with little Nupur as he was posted to Siachen soon.

On April 5, 2003, a patrol led by Captain Amit was hit by an avalanche. The April thaw brings avalanches in the glacier. Twenty patrolmen were trapped, but Amit managed to save them. While he was helping the last one to safety, another avalanche hit and he could not save himself. Amit, who was with the 21 Grenadiers, was the only casualty of the accident. He was awarded the Sena Medal for his gallantry.

When Minakshi got the call informing her of Amit’s death, she was unsure about her future. She had been widowed in her early 20s with a one-year-old daughter to care for. Though she would receive Amit’s pension, she felt that serving in the Army would connect her to him more. She still believes that he had always put the Army first and she was only second. But, she put off her wish to focus on raising her daughter and did not tell anyone about it.

With husband, Lieutenant Amit Chandan.

After her master’s, she started teaching at a coaching centre in Delhi. Though she was comfortable in the job, Minakshi always had a hidden wish to serve in the Army. Finally, in 2009, a recruitment advertisement in a newspaper reminded her of her unfulfilled dream. It was not an easy decision, but she went for it.

She approached Amit’s unit and his colleagues, who gave some guidance and tips on joining the Army. After taking some coaching classes, she applied to the Services Selection Board, Bhopal, in November 2009. In March 2010, she left Nupur with her brother and joined the Officers Training Academy, Chennai. It was difficult to stay away from Nupur, who was only eight; in her initial days at the OTA, she used to cry because she missed Nupur. The fact that she was 29 when she joined also made things tough. But, Amit’s memories motivated her and helped her overcome the challenges.

Minakshi’s family says that she always wanted to do things differently. Nupur, now 20, is pursuing her graduation in Delhi. She said her mother was a strong woman who could not stand the thought of returning as a failure from the OTA. Nupur used to write to her every month while she was in the academy. She added that talking to any man in uniform helped her mother connect to the ideals her father stood for. Nupur is planning to appear for the Combined Defence Services Examination.

Minakshi, 41, is currently posted in Agartala, Tripura, with the Ordnance Corps. She feels guilty that she has not been able to spend enough time with Nupur; Minakshi is regularly occupied with military exercises near the border. With permanent commission now an option, she is hoping to get an extension. Her family thinks she is a bit concerned about her next career move, if she does not get an extension. But, they are confident that she will fight it out.

The article is based on conversation with the officer's family and friends.