Union Minister Smriti Irani Pays Tribute to Armed Forces Wives says, “You have my apology”

At the recent literary festival organised by Army Wives Welfare Association (AWWA), Union Minister Smriti Irani on Friday expressed gratitude to the wives of armed forces personnel and highlighted the role played by families of men in uniform. 

Irani drew in the example of Madhulika Rawat, the wife of General Bipin Rawat, who was killed in a helicopter crash, along with the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS).

“When I saw her on the pyre (Madhulika Rawat) with General Rawat, as a civilian, I thought that we don’t spare all of you a thought. And when I say all of you, it’s the wives and the children, till such time a tragedy strikes that you are unacknowledged by us. And for that, you have my apology,” said Irani.

“We see you only when you step up to take the posthumous honour that is conferred upon your loved ones. We salute you and shower you with petals when a man in uniform comes back home in a box. “We, as civilians, presume it’s a given that you’ve chosen to be in the armed forces... Today, as a civilian, I’m here to say sorry that we do not look at you till such time a challenge comes upon this country. You have not only apology but you also have my gratitude on behalf of every Indian,” the Minister added.