Before dying in Kargil, Indian Army soldier chose a bride for his son. This is their story

Time of India

4 days ago

1
2
Chandigarh: It is often said that marriages are made in heaven but celebrated on earth. For Karan Singh, the son of a Kargil war martyr, his marriage was destined by the Kargil war itself.
Before leaving for the battlefield, his father, Havildar Mahavir Singh of 17-Jat regiment, penned what would become his final letter to Karan, who was then undergoing military training as a recruit. In his letter, Mahavir hesitantly revealed that he had chosen a girl, expressing his hope that Karan would marry her after completion of his training.
Though Havildar Mahavir Singh was martyred in Kargil, Karan honored his father's dying wish.
He sought out the girl his father had chosen—and married her. Today, the couple Karan Singh and wife Sudesh Boora are happily married for around 24 years. Interestingly, the couple's both children, Apoorav Boora and Anjali Boora are into their graduation and preparing for the officer's entry examinations for armed forces.
Karan's father, Mahavir Singh had attained martyrdom even when Karan was to complete his basic military training.
In his last letter posted in April 1999 to his son, Mahavir Singh had written, "I am writing this letter, as you had requested of me. Don't worry about me, my son, I have reached my unit safely. Please take care of yourself during the training. If you don't mind, I wanted to share with you that I have finalized a girl for your marriage. But don't worry, we will not marry you till you complete your class-XII. Please keep on writing at home, your grandmother always worries about you.
Complete your training with concentration and zeal. Don't bother about anyone at home, all are happy".
At that time, Karan was a recruit in "Multan Coy" in the Jat regiment's training Centre at Bareilly. The letter was written by Mahavir Singh, a Havildar posted with the 17-Jat regiment, on April 16, 1999.
After the war broke out in 1999, Havildar Mahavir's unit moved to Mushkoh Valley in Kargil. His unit was assigned the task to push the enemy out from Pimple-II complex (Point 4875).
In the fierce battle, Mahavir had lost his life on July 5, 1999 in a fierce battle. A total of 34 men including two officers of the 17-Jat regiment lost their lives in Kargil. Havildar Mahavir Singh was conferred with Sena Medal (SM) for his gallant act.
At that time Karan Singh had not completed his military training. According to Karan, he was given special leave from the training to perform the last rites of his father. Later, Karan left the army to take care of his mother and younger brother.
He is now running a petrol pump near Hisar cantonment, which was allotted by the government to honour the next of kins of soldiers killed in action.
According to Karan, he took the words written by his father as his last wish and on inquiry found Sudesh whom his father wanted him to marry in Karsindhu village in Jind district.
After two years of his father's death, he married the same girl in 2001. Girl's father was not in the army, but her maternal uncle was known to Havildar Mahavir Singh. Karan's wife informed that she was not aware about the fact that her father and her father-in-law had any kind of discussions about her marriage as she was very young at that time. "If it was destined, I am proud that I was married in this family. We are preparing both our children for the armed forces," Sudesh added.