The passing out parade of lieutenants from the Chennai based Officers’ Training Academy (OTA) took place on Saturday, on the 8th of September. Amongst the strong and hardened 252 cadets was a lady who set a new precedent for the years to come, the woman is a mother of a four year old, Lieutenant Neeru Sambyal. The 28 year old from Jammu’s Bari Brahmana had cracked the Services Selection Board in her very first attempt, a remarkable feat in itself. She is also the wife of a martyred soldier. Her husband late Ravinder Sambyal was a rifleman in the 2 Jammu and Kashmir Rifles unit, who lost his life due to an injury in 2015. Family life for Neeru and Ravinder Sambyal could last for just a little over three years. What followed the death of her husband is something which could become an inspiration to others. Neeru chose the less chosen path and was supported by her family and the regiment which her now late husband belonged to, and the results showed.
Lieutenant Neeru Sambyal, is a mother to a four year old and had to look after her daughter, Sanidhya while she decided the course her life would take post the demise of her husband. Her father in law stood by her every decision, and even motivated her when she was unsure of getting into the Army. He even helped her persuade her own father who was understandably apprehensive of letting his daughter join the Army after losing his son in law. Neeru has a great educational background having completed her BA, B.Ed, MA and M.Ed, and according to her family she could have easily pursued a career in teaching or some other job more suited to a woman and the mother of a four year old. Her father in law who himself had served in the Army for 36 years stood by her decision and supported her wholeheartedly, her own father was finally convinced of her motive.
In relation to her preparation days for the SSB, Lieutenant Neeru Sambyal said, “His unit is like my family and I am very close to them, The Jammu and Kashmir Rifles stood by me.” She also went on to speak about how the regiment provided the much needed courage and security she wanted, “Whenever I feel like I am in a problem, I call them and reach out for help, and they are there. I know if something happens to me, they are going to be there for my daughter.” With her hardwork and unwavering support from her family members and her late husband’s unit, Neeru Sambyal was able to clear the SSB in her first attempt, juggling between caring for her daughter and preparations for what can arguably be called one of the toughest entrance exams in the country. Once her exams were cleared she underwent rigorous training for 11 months at the OTA in Chennai and passed with flying colours. She is all set to join her late husband’s regiment in Assam where she hopes to make her faculty at the OTA and all her well wishers proud. Congratulations to the Indian Army for having one more fierce officer in their midst.