There are love stories that make you feel romantic. And then there are some that fill you with courage and strength. Gauri Mahadik & Prasad Mahadik’s love story is the biggest example we have seen in recent times.
Gauri & Prasad were married for only 2 years, when in December 2017, Army Major Prasad Mahadik was martyred at the young age of 31 years. It took Gauri some time, but she drew courage from her love and decided to live her husband’s dream. She decided to join the Indian Army and was inducted as Lieutenant after the passing-out ceremony from the Officers Training Academy (OTA) in Chennai in March 2020.
Gauri talked to HoB sometime back, and share the details about her beautiful love story. She mentioned how Prasad’s army profession came as a shock for her the first time they met.
I met Prasad on a matrimonial site. The first time we spoke was on 22nd February 2014. When we met, he told me he was a Captain in the Indian army. It came as a shock, but we got along. He was sincere and down to earth – I loved that. After we met a couple more times, he popped the question while we were at Marine Drive. I replied with, ‘Of course, Captain’.
Still, he told me to think about it — being married to an army man wasn’t easy. But I was sure. Even my Father in law said, ‘Anything can happen, at any time’. But I said that anything can happen to a civilian too and it would be my privilege to be married to someone who was protecting those civilians.
Not that it mattered, but our engagement date changed thrice because of his duty — we ultimately got married in 2015. We were very different; I was talkative while he was reserved. Still, we fit like pieces of a puzzle even though he was away for long periods of time.
As with all Army families, it wasn’t easy when your loved one is out there protecting the country. Gauri spoke about their early married days.
It was difficult, because we went without talking for days on end. Whenever he managed to call, he always said ‘Everything’s fine’…even when we knew it wasn’t. Once I hadn’t gotten a call for a week. I was terrified, but on the 7th day he got in touch — I craved the sound of his voice.
On the days when he was home, I wanted to capture every moment. So I have more than 36,000 photos of him! I even recorded our phone calls. And on the days when I missed him, worried about him, or simply wanted to hear him say ‘I love you’, I would listen to those recordings.
Talking about the most unfortunate days of her life, Gauri shared how she drew strength from her love:
In December 2017 I got the call that changed my life – he was martyred. I still remember I was having breakfast at the time. We had just spoken the previous evening, and even had an argument. I couldn’t believe it. For the next three days I kept thinking he would walk through the door.
But, I made my peace knowing that he died doing what he loved the most — serving our country. He never complained. Even though he was sometimes in -15 degrees, without any communication with the world — he was happy. That’s the thing an army wife just has to accept — that her husband’s first and true love is the country. That’s what gave me the strength to overcome.
She also talked about how she adopted Prasad’s purpose as her own and decided to join the Army,
As time passed, I decided that I couldn’t keep crying. That would be an insult to his memory. So, I decided to join the army and live his dream for him. His purpose became mine and I began preparing for the SSB exam. I failed the first time, but exactly 5 years since the day we first started talking, I passed — I’ll be inducted into the Indian Army in March 2020.
She mentions how she feels much stronger after her decision and is ready for her new life.
For the first time since he passed, I’m not afraid. In fact, I feel strong and invincible, just like he was and just like that, my life is for our country and I will defend it until the day I die.
It is heart-breaking and heart-touching at the same time that how Gauri and Prasad’s love story turned out. We wish Gauri all the best in her new life and we are sure she will protect our country with all her heart!