Today, we in India are in a frenzied quest for jobs in the corporate sector, with an eye on the pay packets and connected perquisites, resulting ultimately even in relocating temporarily or permanently outside of India.
Against this background, this book is a humble attempt to bring to the knowledge of the world the saga of my dear cousin Mrs. Shakunthala Ajit Bhandarkar, wife of Lt Col Ajit Vasudev Bhandarkar, Shaurya Chakra (Posthumous). A braveheart who, despite the martyrdom of her husband, strongly supported the decision of both her sons - whom she had raised as a single parent - to join the Armed Forces.
Starting her life as a timid little girl who grew up in Madras (now Chennai), her gradual transformation into a woman of steel, and the finesse and capability with which she dealt with her roles as a daughter, lady wife, daughter-in-law, and finally, a single parent is a huge inspiration for women, especially for mothers who flounder in the dark, on the severance of the only solid support of the husband.
Her story is a testimony that brings to the fore the battles that a woman faces subsequent to this loss. These challenges from different quarters of society are capable of driving the woman to the edge.
To triumph over such adverse situations, and more importantly, repose faith and courage in oneself to ultimately face these challenges, nurture the children as a single parent, and ultimately, even support their decision to join the Defence Forces, requires extraordinary courage and unquestioning faith in destiny.
