Swati Mahadik, the widow of Colonel Santosh Mahadik who was killed during a search operation in Kupwara in November is all set to follow her husband's footsteps and adorn the army colours. This, after she cleared the SSB (Service Selection Board) exam. She will now undergo training at the Officers Training Academy in Chennai, for 11 months before joining the army.

“There was no emotion, no happiness or sadness. Just numbness. It seemed routine, even though I had worked so hard for it in the last few months. I guess because there was no one to celebrate the news with,” she said.

Swati, a graduate from University of Pune, had at her husband's funeral expressed her intention to join the army as a tribute to her husband.

The mother of two said she was selected on merit and was not given any special consideration “The only concession the Army gives for widows of martyrs is age concession and that’s all I got too. After that, all candidates are on a par, be it the written exam or the interview or the fitness tests.”

Swati's husband, Colonel Santosh Mahadik was the commanding officer of the 41 Rashtriya Rifles. While on a search operation for suspected Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists, he was killed by in a gunfire.