Tawang crash: On Karva Chauth, this IAF soldier's widow bid her husband a silent goodbye

It was a moment of sorrow mingled with pride for all those present at Kasni village in Jhunjhunu district of Rajasthan when Kiran Khanda, the wife of Satish Khanda, who was among the seven martyred in the helicopter crash at Arunachal Pradesh, paid her respects to the mortal remains of her husband.  

Kiran, along with her three-year-old son Harsh, put  tilak on the picture of Satish. The picture was placed along the mortal remains of Satish wrapped in a tricolour. 

While women across the country celebrated karva chauth, for the long lives of their husbands, Kiran personified dignity in grief as she bid her husband a silent goodbye.  

Satish and Kiran were married four years ago in 2013. They have a three-year-old son Harsh. Satish had joined the Indian Air Force fifteen years back. 

Jhunjhunu and Sikar are districts that send the largest number of soldiers in the forces from Rajasthan. 

Not just the men, valour is ingrained in the women too. Many wives of martyrs continue to celebrate karva chauth. Their belief is that their martyred husband is immortal. 

Satish Khanda was cremated with full state honours. People were present in large numbers, including officers from the Indian Air Force and district administration were present.