Officer's wife salutes his valour during Bangladesh War

By Staff
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Google Oneindia News

Bhopal, Dec 16: ''His ambition was to die in combat but being his wife I naturally wanted him to return alive from the war,'' says Major (Retd) Malika Trivedi while speaking of her late husband Colonel (Retd) Gopal Krishna Trivedi, a Grenadiers Regiment officer who was decorated with the Vir Chakra for his valour on the Western Front during the 1971 India-Pakistan conflict.

''A fauji's (soldier's) wife is always a himmatwali (courageous lady) and self-reliant. During that time I was posted at Ahmedabad and closely monitored radio bulletins for news from the frontlines,'' she told UNI at her HIG flat here in an interview marking today's Vijay Diwas -- the anniversary of the Indian Armed Forces victory in the Bangladesh War.

On the wall of the living room hung laminated photographs of the smiling couple including a black-and-white shot dating back to 1975 showing a dashing uniformed officer and a ravishing young lady. A love story unfolded as Maj Malika, who was a wholetime officer in the National Cadet Corps, spoke of their first meeting at Lucknow after her husband-to-be was deputed to the NCC.

Maj Malika, who retired in 1992, carefully brought out a Defence Ministry citation dated October 17, 1974 and, with the pride of a balladeer, read out about courage under fire...

December 10, 1971. Somewhere in Shakargarh area on the Western Front, a young major was commanding a Grenadiers company attacking a well-fortified post defended by several enemy soldiers and with landmines laid along a radius of 800 yards. During the mission, the enemy directed accurate and heavy fire on the attacking party.

Despite that, Maj (later Col) Trivedi took his jawans forward, traversed the minefield and -- after heavy fighting -- captured the post.

'''Devi ne bacha liya (a goddess saved me)' he said later while speaking of crossing that minefield. He adhered very strongly to the concept of Bharat Mata (Mother India),'' the officer's wife reminisced.

After a large enemy detachment attempted to regain the post on December 11, Maj (later Col) Trivedi went from trench to trench encouraging his jawans. The counterattack was repulsed with several Pakistani casualties. ''He was decorated with the Vir Chakra for displaying courage of a high order, determination and leadership. However, Indian war heroes are not getting their due,'' added Maj Malika who felt that widows of decorated soldiers ought to receive the same facilities as war widows.

Reacting to recent suicides by officers and other ranks, she said that such incidents ought not to deter enlistment. ''I feelthere is still greater integrity in the Armed Forces,'' said Maj Malika.

Born in Uttar Pradesh in 1938, Col Trivedi (IC-20021) belonged to a family that had three generations in the Armed Forces.

Commissioned into the 8 Grenadiers, he eventually commanded the regiment's 6th battalion and also received the Vishisht Seva Medal.

After hanging up his uniform in 1988, he worked for the Research and Analysis Wing. Col Trivedi passed away on April 3, 2001 and was cremated with full military honours.

''He believed in Sanatan Dharm and was quite good at interpreting horoscopes,'' said Maj Malika, who is MA in English Literature, also completed a Bachelor of Teaching course and started out as a teacher.

She has instituted an award in the colonel's name.

Besides managing a security agency, the stocky, bespectacled and shorthaired Maj Malika spends her time practicing pranayama, swimming or in the gym. Singing ghazals and painting are also her hobbies.

She has no regret about not having children as her ''mamta'' (affection) spreads and is lavished on the little ones in the SOS Children's Villages.

''I feel that a woman's self-confidence is more crucial than the shelter provided by a father, brother, husband or son,'' she added.

UNI

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