In a poignant display of love and resilience, Smriti Singh, the widow of Captain Anshuman Singh, recounted her final conversation with her husband just a day before he made the ultimate sacrifice while saving his comrades from a devastating fire in Siachen.
Captain Singh, a medical officer with the 26th Battalion of the Punjab Regiment, was posthumously awarded the Kirti Chakra, India’s second-highest peacetime gallantry award, for his exceptional selflessness during the incident on July 19, 2023.
Smriti, adorned in a white sari, humbly accepted the prestigious honor from President Droupadi Murmu alongside Captain Singh’s mother, Manju Singh, in an emotional ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
A Love Story Cut Short
Smirit and Captain Anshuman’s love story began on the first day of college, where they met and instantly connected. “I don’t want to be dramatic, but it was love at first sight,” Smriti recalled.
A month later, Captain Singh’s exceptional intelligence earned him a place at the Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC). Despite the distance, their bond only grew stronger over the next eight years as they navigated a long-distance relationship.
Finally, in February 2023, the couple tied the knot, but their marital bliss was short-lived. Within two months, Captain Singh was posted to the treacherous Siachen Glacier region.
The Fateful Day
On July 18, 2023, Smirit and Captain Singh had a heartfelt conversation about their plans. “We had a long conversation about how our life would be in the next 50 years,” Smriti said. “We were going to build a house and start a family together. we were going to have kids…”
However, their plans were shattered the very next day when Captain Singh made the ultimate sacrifice while trying to save his comrades from a devastating fire in Siachen.
Little did they know that their dreams would be shattered the very next day.
In early July 19, 2023, a short circuit sparked a devastating fire in an Indian Army ammunition dump in Siachen. As the flames engulfed a nearby fiberglass hut, Captain Singh sprang into action, risking his own life to rescue those trapped inside.
He managed to save four or five individuals before the fire spread to a medical investigation room. Undeterred by the escalating danger, Captain Singh re-entered the blazing structure in a desperate attempt to retrieve vital medication.
Tragically, he became trapped in the inferno and succumbed to his injuries. “On July 19 morning, I got a call that he is no more,” Smriti said, her voice trembling with emotion.
A Hero’s Legacy
For the first few hours, Smriti and her family struggled to come to terms with the devastating news. ” For the first 7-8 hours, we could not accept that any time like this could have happened,” she recalled.
As the reality of Captain Singh’s sacrifice sank in, Smriti found solace in the knowledge that her husband had given his life to save others. “He would tell me, ‘I will die with the brass on my chest. I would not die an ordinary death,’ she said.
In a heartbreaking moment, Smriti acknowledged the bittersweet reality of her situation. ‘Now that I have the Kirti Chakra in my hand, maybe it is true. But it’s okay, he’s a hero,” she said. “We can manage a little of our lives. He has given all his life to save other families, his army family.
Captain Anshuman Singh’s selfless act of Valor has left an indelible mark on the nation, and his legacy will continue to inspire generations to come. As Smriti navigates the challenges ahead, she takes solace in the knowledge that her husband’s sacrifice was not in vain.
“He’s a hero,” Smriti said, her voice filled with pride and admiration. “We can manage a little of our lives because he has managed a lot. He has given up all his life, all his family, just to save three other families and his army family.”
Captain Anshuman Singh’s story is a testament to the unwavering courage and dedication of the Indian Armed Forces. His ultimate sacrifice will forever be etched in the hearts of a grateful nation, and his memory will continue to inspire others to follow in his footsteps.’
As Smriti and her family mourn the loss of a beloved husband and son, they take solace in the knowledge that his spirit lives on, forever, a shining example of selflessness and heroism.
