Ex-Army chief's wife discusses emotional support for children of fallen soldiers

On a special episode of Chakravyuh, India Today’s Gaurav Sawant speaks with Veena Naravane, author and former AWWA president, about the rarely discussed emotional cost of military loss. Discussing her new book series The Memory Tree, Naravane explains how grief in military families is layered with unique complexities, especially for children. She describes the challenge of moving from the protected “cocooned” army life into civil society after death.

The conversation highlights the lifelong support offered by the ‘Paltan’ or regiment, and the crucial role schools must play in sensitising students to their peers’ trauma. Naravane stresses that while institutions meet financial and physical needs, true healing demands sustained empathy and a more dignified national conversation on grief.