In one of her last messages to her husband, Toni on 8 December 2021, Geetika wrote: ‘I want to go to the Taj with you. Moonlit night.’ ‘Yes yes… let us do it first week next year,’ he replied almost an hour later, onboard a Mi-17V5 helicopter when the helicopter crashed near Coonoor. A decorated officer of 2 JAK RIF with ‘sharp military intellect’, Toni’s life was cut short, at only 52 years, just as he was set to take over a division in J&K, and his family was looking forward to spending more time together.
An army daughter herself, Geetika knew the perils of being married to an infantry soldier. But does anything prepare you for such a sudden, quick, cruel turn of events? How do you gather strength to respond to media at the funeral of your loved one, ‘I am a soldier’s wife… We must give him a smiling send-off’?
Life is tough for a soldier’s wife and is not often written about. Geetika’s book is a brave step in opening her heart and sharing the constant battle between emotions, courage, and integrity in the lives of army wives. This book is part love story, tribute, and family history, but above all, it’s a story of celebrating the person that Toni was to his family, friends, and paltan.
