From Grief to Glory: Soni Bisht’s Inspiring Journey
CHENNAI: Just a month after her wedding, Soni Bisht faced an unimaginable loss when her husband, Sepoy Neeraj Singh Bhandari of the 18 Kumaon Regiment, tragically passed away in January 2023. Rather than succumbing to grief, Soni chose to channel her pain into purpose, honouring her late husband’s dream by donning the Indian Army uniform as an officer.
On Saturday, Soni proudly marched in the Passing Out Parade at the Officers Training Academy in Chennai, ready to serve her nation. “When I learnt about the Veer Nari entry from officers of the Kumaon Regiment, my father encouraged me to take this path,” she shared. As the daughter of retired subedar Kundan Singh of the Brigade of Guards Battalion, Soni’s determination shone through as she conquered every challenge on her journey to becoming commissioned into the Army Ordnance Corps.
A Journey of Perseverance
Among the newly commissioned officers was Ved Vijay Neog from Jorhat, Assam, who also overcame significant hurdles. Initially recommended for the Indian Military Academy after graduation, Ved withdrew due to family hardships and spent years juggling various jobs in Delhi—from making coffee to delivering food. His heart, however, remained set on serving in uniform. With unwavering determination, he cleared the Combined Defence Services (CDS) exam and secured his place at the OTA.
These inspiring cadets were part of a cohort of 133 officer cadets and 24 women officer cadets commissioned into various arms and services of the Indian Army. The event also included five foreign officer cadets and seven women foreign officer cadets from five nations.
Honoring Excellence
Lt Gen Johnson P Mathew, the chief of Integrated Defence Staff, presented accolades during the ceremony, including the Sword of Honour to Manya M Kumar. He urged the young officers to uphold the ethos of selfless service and unwavering excellence in all their endeavors.
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