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Geetika Lidder’s ‘I Am a Soldier’s Wife’: A Journey Through Grief and Healing After the Loss of Her Husband
Known affectionately as ‘Toni’, Brigadier Lidder was commissioned into the 2 JAK RIF in 1990 and served as the defence assistant to the then Chief of Defence Staff, Bipin Rawat. In one of her last communications on December 8, 2021, Geetika expressed a wish to visit the Taj Mahal for a moonlit evening together. His reply, sent nearly an hour later while airborne on the Mi-17V5 helicopter, was a hopeful affirmation: “Yes yes… let us do it first week next year.” Tragically, just hours after this exchange, the helicopter crashed near Coonoor, resulting in the deaths of 15 individuals, including Brigadier Lidder and CDS Rawat.
Ahead of the book’s release, Geetika spoke with The Statesman about *I Am a Soldier’s Wife*, describing it as a personal account and a “journal of the life I shared with him.” Balancing her role as a vice principal at a local school, Geetika found comfort in writing, reflecting on their shared memories and deep love. “A year after his passing, I was immersed in work and home responsibilities. However, in the quiet evenings, I began to document our life together. Each chapter explores a different phase of our journey, from the various military installations we called home,” she shared.
What started as private reflections gradually evolved into a comprehensive manuscript. “It wasn’t until I had penned five chapters that I considered publishing it as a book. Roli Books expressed great interest, and I am grateful they chose to publish my work,” Geetika noted.
Recalling the painful loss, Geetika reflected on a poignant moment during a media interaction after her husband’s cremation at Brar Square in Delhi. During that time, she remarked, “We must give him a good farewell, a smiling send-off. I am a soldier’s wife. I have nothing more to say. It’s a big loss.” Her heartfelt words struck a chord with many, embodying the strength and resilience of military families.
Ironically, despite her husband’s encouragement to write, Geetika hadn’t seriously considered it until after his death. “Brigadier Lidder always inspired me to write, but I never fully embraced the idea until he was gone,” she revealed.
The process of writing the book has been an emotionally therapeutic journey for Geetika. “The grief of losing him was overwhelming and shocking. Writing this book allowed me to confront emotions I had buried. It was cathartic, reviving cherished moments, though tinged with a bittersweet longing,” she said, her voice thick with emotion.
*I Am a Soldier’s Wife* is more than just a memoir; it stands as a tribute to Geetika’s late husband and the unyielding love and sacrifices inherent in the life of a military spouse.
Noida: A man died by suicide after jumping from the 43rd floor of the Supernova Tower in Noida on Saturday.
The incident took place at the Supernova complex in Sector 94. A video shows the man standing near the railing before jumping. Another person tried to stop him but could not prevent the incident.
Police identified the deceased as Sambhav Jain, a resident of Manesar, Haryana. He had reportedly checked into an Airbnb in the building on Friday and was scheduled to leave on Saturday.
Police said Jain had called his father several times before the incident. His family has been informed.
The police and forensic teams inspected the spot and collected evidence. CCTV footage is also being checked as part of the investigation.
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Police said Jain was reportedly under severe financial stress. His body has been sent for a post-mortem examination.
The investigation is underway.
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Captain Smit Machchhar over a video call and praised his courage after he helped prevent a major air disaster.
Captain Machchhar was seriously injured after his co-pilot allegedly stabbed him during a flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv on Wednesday. The Boeing 737 MAX reportedly lost nearly 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds.
Passengers and crew members entered the cockpit and overpowered the co-pilot. A second pair of pilots then took control and safely landed the aircraft in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. More than 170 passengers and crew were on board.
Speaking from his hospital bed, Captain Machchhar told PM Modi that he was badly injured and had collapsed in the cockpit. He realised that the aircraft was rapidly losing altitude and that he had to act.
“I could not let all those people die,” he told the Prime Minister.
Captain Machchhar said his 17 years of flying experience helped him understand what was happening to the aircraft. He managed to open the cockpit door, after which passengers and crew came to his help.
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He also said he was chanting the Hanuman Chalisa while fighting the pain and fear.
PM Modi praised the captain’s courage, patience and presence of mind. He said Captain Machchhar’s actions helped save many lives and called his effort a “monumental task.”
Captain Machchhar, who is from Gujarat, has more than 9,750 flying hours and has served as a captain for 11 years.
Gandhidham: India has taken a major step towards green shipping with the foundation stone laid for the country’s first port-based e-methanol production facility at Kandla in Gujarat.
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal, and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma laid the foundation stone at the Deendayal Port Authority (DPA) on Saturday.
The Rs.2,300-crore project is a joint initiative of the Deendayal Port Authority and Assam Petro-Chemicals Ltd. The plant will produce 150 tonnes of e-methanol every day using renewable power, water and biogenic carbon dioxide.
E-methanol is considered a cleaner alternative fuel for the shipping sector. The facility will supply green fuel to ships operating on the Asia-Europe trade route.
The project will be developed in two phases. The first phase will have a production capacity of 50 tonnes per day and involve an investment of Rs.1,200 crore. It is expected to be completed by January 2027.
The second phase will add another 100 tonnes per day at an estimated cost of Rs.1,100 crore. It is targeted for completion by March 2027.
The Deendayal Port Authority will hold a 76 per cent share in the project, while Assam Petro-Chemicals Ltd will have a 24 per cent stake. DPA will provide Rs.567.32 crore as equity, along with 75 acres of land, desalinated water and renewable energy support.
The project is expected to create more than 3,500 direct and indirect jobs. It will also support activities such as transportation, storage and supply of green fuel around Kandla.
Speaking at the event, Bhupendra Patel said Gujarat’s coastline would play an important role in supplying green energy to the world. He described Kandla as a future gateway for India’s green energy exports.
Sarbananda Sonowal said the project marked another step in India’s growing maritime ambitions. He said Kandla could develop into a major green-fuel hub on the Singapore–Rotterdam shipping route.
Himanta Biswa Sarma said Assam would contribute to India’s clean energy transition through its natural resources and industrial strength. He described the project as an example of cooperation between Assam and Gujarat.
The facility is expected to support India’s long-term goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2070. It is also linked to the government’s focus on energy self-reliance and the Make in India initiative.
The government is also working to strengthen India’s maritime sector. It has set a target of adding 100 new ships to the country’s merchant fleet over the next five years.
Several other maritime projects are also being developed in Gujarat, including a Rs.1,520-crore shipbuilding project at Vadinar and a proposed shipbuilding and repair cluster at Kuchhadi in Porbandar.
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Kutch MP Vinod Chavda, Gandhidham MLA Maltiben Kishor Maheshwari, Assam government representatives, officials of Assam Petro-Chemicals Ltd and DPA Chairman Sushil Kumar Singh were among those present at the foundation stone ceremony.
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