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2006. The most memorable year. My son was to be a father. He was awarded the Shaurya Chakra. But one call turned 2006 into the worst nightmare.
The day we lost him
April 30, 2006. It was around 2 pm, my husband and I were in the car to attend a wedding when my husband's phone rang. Sumit’s unit-head was on the call and said “Sumit is no more”. We returned home and immediately thereafter, my husband got a paralysis attack. Minutes after reaching the hospital, he had brain haemorrhage and slipped into a coma.
April 30, 2006. It was around 2 pm, my husband and I were in the car to attend a wedding when my husband's phone rang. Sumit’s unit-head was on the call and said “Sumit is no more”. We returned home and immediately thereafter, my husband got a paralysis attack. Minutes after reaching the hospital, he had brain haemorrhage and slipped into a coma.
My son - India's pride!
My thoughts drifted back and forth. Three months ago, my son, Captain Sumit Kohli was awarded Shaurya Chakra by President Abdul Kalam. The walls of sector 40 in Chandigarh were adorned with his photograph, along with framed newspaper clippings.
My thoughts drifted back and forth. Three months ago, my son, Captain Sumit Kohli was awarded Shaurya Chakra by President Abdul Kalam. The walls of sector 40 in Chandigarh were adorned with his photograph, along with framed newspaper clippings.
My brave son was awarded Shaurya Chakra for eliminating 4 terrorists and now he was found dead while serving in J & K. I refused to believe it. On 3rd May my son came home for the last time. The crowd clamoured to bid him farewell. And that day, I saw that he was beyond my son.
A final goodbye!
A day after his cremation, my husband died. I wasn’t shocked as I knew his soul left the day our son passed away and on 4th May his body moved on. On the 7th day, I immersed the ashes of both my husband and son in Ganga. I completed my duties, sold our house & gave a share to my daughter, Sumit’s son, and moved to a smaller apartment.
A day after his cremation, my husband died. I wasn’t shocked as I knew his soul left the day our son passed away and on 4th May his body moved on. On the 7th day, I immersed the ashes of both my husband and son in Ganga. I completed my duties, sold our house & gave a share to my daughter, Sumit’s son, and moved to a smaller apartment.
Misery knows no end...
Post the death of my son and husband, things just worsened. My daughter went thru a divorce & was diagnosed with breast cancer. In 2012, she was cancer-free. Unfortunately, cancer has resurfaced and she is undergoing treatment in AIIMS.
Building life from scratch
I know my son and husband would have taken care of both me and my daughter but with both of them gone, I'm finding it hard to cope in life. I have always been a homemaker and today I'm left with no source of income. As per the policy, the pension and benefits have gone to his wife. I managed with limited savings but the funds have exhausted.
When the Being You team suggested a business idea of selling pickles - I was initially skeptical but then decided to go ahead. After all, this may give me new lease of life!
Veena KohliKohli's pickles. Made with love by a soldier's mother!
We at Being You believe in empowering people and this is what we suggested to Mrs. Kohli. When we heard her story, our initial thought was to make her self-reliant and financially stable. We believe that as much as Captain Sumit Kohli loved his Mummas pickle, you will love it too. And we can say that with confidence as the sample batch was just out of the world!
But we need YOU to bring this dream to reality. Together, let's ensure that we support her with a base amount to start her business and also ensure that her daughter's treatment charges are covered. Let's come together to support the mother & sister of a decorated soldier!
