In a deeply moving testament to the unbreakable bonds within the Indian Army, serving and retired personnel from the 21 Jat Regiment fulfilled the role of father at the wedding of Prachi, daughter of their late colleague Havildar Harendra Singh. The soldiers performed the sacred kanyadaan and every traditional paternal ritual, ensuring the bride experienced no absence on her special day.
Havildar Harendra Singh, a resident of Katha village in Baghpat district, served honourably with the 21 Jat Regiment until his untimely death in a road accident in Arunachal Pradesh in 2020. He is survived by his wife, Amrita, daughter Prachi, and two sons, Harshit and Akshit.
The wedding of Prachi to Shubham — son of Chaudhary Praveen Kumar of Kaniyan village in Shamli district and an Assistant Bank Manager — took place on 9 March 2026 at Basant Garden, Baraut Road, Baghpat. Upon receiving the invitation, 14 serving and retired jawans from the regiment promptly took leave and arrived in uniform to stand by the family.
The soldiers assumed complete responsibility for the bride’s side throughout the ceremony. They welcomed the groom’s baraat, conducted the jaimala ritual (carrying Prachi on their palms to the stage), performed the kanyadaan, participated in the saat phere (seven sacred vows), and provided an emotional vidai (farewell). In a collective gesture of support, they contributed approximately ₹6.5 lakh towards the kanyadaan.
Prominent among those present were Retired Honorary Captain Yashpal Singh, Retired Honorary Captain Rajesh Gulia, Subedar Dharmveer Singh, Subedar Ramratan, Subedar Dharmendra, and Havildar Kiranpal.
The ceremony, captured on video, has since gone viral across social media platforms, evoking widespread admiration and praise for the regiment’s exemplary solidarity. Residents of Katha village and members of the groom’s family described the event as profoundly emotional, underscoring the Indian Army’s tradition of treating comrades’ families as their own.
This incident exemplifies the enduring spirit of “fauji brotherhood” that transcends active service and even death. The 21 Jat Regiment has once again demonstrated that its commitment to its personnel and their families remains steadfast long after a soldier’s posting or sacrifice.
The family of Havildar Harendra Singh expressed heartfelt gratitude, stating that the regiment’s presence transformed what could have been a day of sorrow into one of joy and pride. Such acts of compassion reinforce public faith in the values of duty, honour, and unity that define India’s armed forces.
As videos continue to circulate, the story has resonated nationally, prompting messages of respect and salutations to the 21 Jat Regiment for embodying the true essence of military camaraderie.
