.png)
Moved by the anguish and struggles of Army widows - affectionately referred to as 'Veer Naris' in the Army, Ambreen Zaidi, a devoted Army wife herself, felt a calling to capture and
reflect on the resilient character of the ‘Veer Naris.’ Through her dedicated efforts, Ambreen
has sought to illustrate the painful strivings these women endure as they’re left to navigate a
life marked by grief and uncertainty, following the death of their soldier husband in the line
of duty.
A renowned author and prominent columnist, Ambreen has garnered several prestigious
awards, reflecting her commitment to social and humanistic endeavours. She passionately
advocates for the well-being of war widows, orphans, retired and disabled soldiers. Through
her exhaustive research and sincere writings published on national and international media
platforms, she shines a light on their forgotten plight, emphasising a serious need to recognise and support them. Ambreen’s mission transcends mere awareness; she seeks to empower these families to reclaim their dignity and live a fulfilling life once again.
Army wives stand as the steadfast pillar of the armed forces; they’re the force behind the
forces, yet the uncelebrated heroes behind the heroes in action! The soldier, particularly in
regions rife with militancy and danger, lives constantly through the shadow of mortality,
while their spouses confront a psychological battle at home. When tragedy strikes in the
event of the soldier’s death, his forlorn wife is left grappling in the dark abyss of gloom and
insecurity. Ambreen shares instances where the widows even had to confront harsh
judgments and unkind scrutiny of their relatives, sadly being relegated to a life of disgrace.
As a soldier’s wife, Ambreen believes that it is not enough to acknowledge and honour the
martyrdom of soldiers on special occasions like Republic Day or Independence Day alone.
She asserts that to truly honour the fallen heroes, it is imperative to reconstitute the lives of
their spouses. Pointing to the agonising trials of solo parenting, financial struggles, and
emotional breakdown, these women endure, they persevere to transmute their anguish into
strength, becoming pillars of support for their families while bravely facing a future tinged
with loss.
Ambreen, a post-graduate in Science, has always nurtured a love for writing, a passion she
attributes to her mother, Ehraz Zaidi, who was a devoted writer herself. Ambreen's journey as a writer and columnist began 22 years ago with her monthly column, “Olive Greens,” in the Hindustan Times, through which she gave an insightful glimpse into the lives of the forces, capturing their unique experiences and challenges. The write-ups struck a chord with many, leading to the column's transformation into a weekly feature.
During a period, when her husband was posted in Bhopal, she was vehemently inspired to
write about the ordeals of veterans in the area and the victims of the Bhopal gas tragedy,
which moved her to delve deeper into their stories. She felt compelled to shed light on the
plight and sacrifices of those who had once served the nation. Through her writing, she
became the voice of those unheeded voices!
As her children grew up and her parents began to age, Ambreen made the heartfelt decision
to establish her roots in Delhi. She secured a job in the Corporate Social Responsibility
(CSR) section of the IT umbrella association, NASSCOM. Through this role, she became
familiar with the nuances of CSR and discovered how the corporate sector could play a
pivotal role in uplifting the families of soldiers.
However, life took a challenging turn when her parents were coping with health issues and
she needed to be at home for them; while at the same time, her children were navigating
crucial phases of their education. With this sense of familial duty, she relinquished her job at
NASSCOM and returned to her passion for writing, contributing columns to the Times of
India, titled “Barracks and Beyond.”
For a brief period, she started “Changemakers,” a philanthropic portal dedicated to
counselling and assisting ex-servicemen, war widows and orphans. Ambreen continues to
draw people’s attention through her LinkedIn and Twitter profiles to the challenges of such
families, where they can connect with her to find strength and a path forward.
Ambreen's debut book, "The Warrior Widows" touched a chord with readers and was met with significant acclaim, even drawing the attention of the Defence Ministry. The Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh, was so overwhelmed by the poignant stories of valour portrayed in her book, leading him to compose a message of assurance for the families. He also expressed a desire for her books to be translated into Hindi, as it would resonate more deeply with the readers. Emphasising the sentiment with an emotional remark, he stated, “apni hi bhaasha dil ko bhaati hai!”
Ambreen went on to author her second book, “Soldiering On,” which reveals the spirit of
resilience of soldiers, wounded and decapitated in the line of duty. She also draws attention to the glaring lack of awareness among citizens concerning the personal battles a disabled
soldier has to fight. Stressing the absence of a comprehensive policy framework, these
soldiers are left to experience exhausting legal crusades to obtain disability benefits, which
they justly deserve.
On August 21, 2023, Ambreen Zaidi was honoured by the Honourable President of India Smt Draupadi Murmu for her contributions to this noble and uplifting cause. Each of these Veer Naris is a testament to resilience, transforming their pain into a powerful journey of self-reinvention! In her own words, Ambreen stresses “the need to ignite a revolution and foster a more empathetic approach towards war widows and the affected soldiers by creating greater awareness” among the unconcerned citizens and the concerned government officials.
- By Simran Maharaj
Anything creative gets her going, whether expressing herself through writing, interior décor,
flower arrangements or painting! Through her passion for travelling, exploring and unending
walks, she loves to reflect on narratives that inspire the human experience of the Divine.
Can reach her at simmar.ms.21@gmail.com
Σχόλια