Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: In a poignant ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, Smriti Singh, widow of Captain Angshuman Singh, and his mother stood before President Droupadi Murmu to receive the Kirti Chakra, India’s second-highest gallantry award, posthumously awarded to Captain Singh. Their shared grief was palpable as they accepted the honor for Captain Singh’s bravery during a devastating fire incident in Siachen.
Smriti Singh recalled her husband’s words with a mix of pride and sorrow: “He would tell me, ‘I would die with the brass on my chest. I would not die an ordinary death.'” Their love story began on the first day of college, and despite an eight-year long-distance relationship while he attended the Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC), their bond remained strong. “Super intelligent guy,” she remembered fondly, describing their journey from meeting at an engineering college to his selection at AFMC.
The couple married after eight years of dating, but just two months later, Captain Singh was posted in the challenging environment of Siachen. As a medical officer with 26 Punjab, Captain Singh faced one of the most dangerous incidents of his career on July 19, 2023. A short circuit had caused a fire in an Indian Army ammunition dump around 3 am. Without hesitation, Captain Singh rushed into a burning fibreglass hut to save his comrades, successfully rescuing four to five individuals.
However, the fire spread rapidly to a nearby medical investigation room. Displaying immense bravery, Captain Singh re-entered the blazing structure in an attempt to save more lives. Tragically, he became trapped and could not escape the inferno, sacrificing his life in the line of duty.
Reflecting on the devastating news, Smriti Singh said, “On July 18, we had a long conversation about how our life would be in the next 50 years. On July 19 morning, I got a call that he is no more.” She and Captain Singh’s family struggled to accept the reality of his death, but the Kirti Chakra now serves as a testament to his heroism. “Now that I have the Kirti Chakra in my hand, maybe it is true. But it’s okay, he’s a hero. We can manage a little of our lives. He has given all his life to save other families, his army family,” she expressed with a mixture of grief and pride.
Captain Singh was cremated with full state honors in Bhagalpur, Uttar Pradesh’s Deoria district, on July 22, 2023, marking the final farewell to a national hero whose courage and selflessness will never be forgotten.
