From sacrifice to service: Widow realizes sepoy’s army aspiration

Chennai: More than 100 officer cadets were commissioned into the Indian Army at Officers Training Academy (OTA) Chennai on Saturday. One of them was Soni Bisht, whose husband Sepoy Neeraj Singh died a month ago, just after her wedding.

Husband Sepoy Neeraj Singh 

Soni Bisht, 26, from Uttarakhand Haldwani, was married to Army jawan Neeraj Singh. Unfortunately, even a month after their wedding Sepoy Neeraj Singh Bhandari of the 18 Kumaon Regiment passed away in a road accident in January 2023.
The moment her mother heard the news of Bhandari's passing, she experienced a heart attack and was put on life support. Then, her younger brother got paralysed.

"It was a uphill task, but I overcame each obstacle," she said smiling with pride when commissioned into Army Ordnance Corps. Bisht had also studied in Army Public Schools and done her B.Com from an institute in Rajasthan's Jodhpur city. She got selected for OTA Chennai under widows' quota for wives of Army personnel.

Parameswaran Drill Square of OTA 

"Her life, marked by heartbreak and courage, has readied her for a larger purpose. On March 8, she will be commissioned into the Indian Army, continuing Neeraj's legacy and fulfilling the dreams they had once shared," a release stated.
A grand military parade at the hallowed Parameswaran Drill Square of OTA was the culmination of passing out ceremony of officers of Short Service Commission and equivalent courses including Soni Bisht. Lieutenant General Johnson P Mathew, Chief of Integrated Defence Staff, New Delhi reviewed the Passing Out Parade. He also awarded the sword, OTA Gold Medal and other awards to different cadets.

Officer Cadets and OTA

"The Reviewing Officer, while addressing the gathering, appreciated the Officer Cadets and OTA faculty for their outstanding performance, urging the newly commissioned officers to adhere to the cardinal military virtues of 'Selfless Service to the Nation' and relentless pursuit of excellence in all endeavors," the release added.
After the parade, the Pipping Ceremony represented a sacred oath since the newly commissioned officers swore fealty to the Constitution of India and vowed to protect the nation at all costs, it said.