The Indian Military Heritage Festival (IMHF) 2026, organised by the United Service Institution of India (USI), featured an emotional and inspiring session titled “The Silent Sentinels: Love, Loss and Resilience Beyond the Uniform.”
The session brought together Geetika Lidder, Ambreen Zaidi and Meghna Girish, who shared heartfelt stories reflecting the sacrifices, strength and resilience of military families. The discussion was moderated by Aditi Prasad.
The conversation highlighted the often-unseen challenges faced by families of armed forces personnel, particularly those coping with loss, separation and the responsibilities that extend beyond military service. Their experiences offered a powerful reminder that the spirit of service and sacrifice extends well beyond those who wear the uniform.
Following the session, Meghna Girish expressed her appreciation for the opportunity to participate in the two-day festival and engage with distinguished military leaders and experts.
She also met Chief of Defence Staff General NS Raja Subramani and Bihar Governor Lieutenant General Syed Ata Hasnain (Retd), with whom she shared a study report on war-disabled soldiers and disabled cadets.
Girish highlighted the importance of continued advocacy to address existing gaps in policies, implementation and access to support for war-disabled personnel and disabled cadets.
The session stood out as a tribute to the courage and resilience of military families, recognising their invaluable contributions and the sacrifices they make in support of the nation’s armed forces.
