A year after the Pahalgam terror attack claimed the life of her husband Bharath Bhushan, Dr Sujatha says life is now divided into “before” and “after”.
Speaking about her grief, she said the emotional void remains overwhelming.
“I’ve lost my emotion… I’ve lost my smile,” she said quietly.
Husband was her strength
Dr Sujatha said Bharath Bhushan, an MBA graduate, balanced her demanding life as a doctor with emotional support and worldly wisdom.
“He knew the world. I knew my patients. We balanced each other,” she said.
Now, his photograph remains beside her in the clinic as a silent presence that guides her decisions.
Child witnessed horror
Their four-and-a-half-year-old son was present during the attack and saw his father being shot, she recalled.
She said the child repeatedly said, “Papa is hurt, there’s so much blood.”
Though deeply painful, she said he has remained calm and has slowly understood that his father is no more.
Work as a way to cope
To manage trauma, Dr Sujatha said she keeps herself occupied from morning until night through hospital work and consultations.
She reserves Sundays entirely for her son.
“If I’m idle, my thoughts return to that scene,” she said.
Fear still remains
She said the incident has left lasting fear, making her constantly alert even during routine travel.
Dr Sujatha also raised concerns about security lapses and radicalisation, saying such violence must never continue.
A story of courage
Despite immense personal loss, she continues working, parenting and rebuilding life step by step.
Her words reflect the silent strength carried by many families affected by terrorism#Pahalgam #TerrorAttack #Courage #Family #India #newskarnataka