Mumbai: Swati Mahadik, wife of late Col. Santosh Mahadik, the commanding officer of 41 Rashtriya Rifle who was gunned down in exchange of fire in Kupwara on November 17, 2015, is all set to undergo the training in the Indian Army.
As per sources, 32-year-old Swati has cleared all five rounds of Services Selection Board (SSB) examination and once the medical fitness report is received, she will undergo army training.
Swati has a masters degree in social Work and after completing her teachers’ training she was employed as a teacher at the Kendriya Vidyalaya.
After death of her husband, Swati had expressed her desire to carry forward Santhosh Mahadik’s legacy and love for the army by joining the army.
“Despite being a couple, I could never become his first love because Indian Army was his first love,” Swati was quoted in the media talking about Santhosh Mahadik, after his death.
The only impediment between Swati and her wish was her age. However, as per sources, Defence Minister Manohar Parikkar had made special age exemption on the recommendation of the Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Dalbir Singh, which opened avenue for Swati to then clear off the routine rounds to reach her goal.
Mother to 12-year-old Kartiki and six-year-old Swarajya, Swati enrolled both her kids to a boarding schools so that she could don the olive green uniform one day.
Col Mahadik’s mother Kalinda Ghorpade, who is 68-years-old is quoted in the media saying that she was upset with her daughter-in-law’s decision.
“I have lost my son and I do not want to lose my daughter-in-law,” she said.
But, Santhosh’s brother Jayanth Ghorpade is all praises for Swati and her decision.
“A month after his death, Swati made up her mind to join the army. She shifted to Pune and started preparing for the SSB examination. We stood by her decision and promised to take care of her children,” he said.
Santhosh Mahadik was born in a small village named Pagarwadi in Satara. His father was a milkman. However, since his maternal grandmother adopted him, she had changed his surname from Ghorpade to Mahadik. In 2003, Swati married Santhosh Mahadik.
