Navy officer had planned honeymoon in Switzerland, destiny had other plans
From a dream destination wedding amid the scenic beauty of Mussoorie on April 16 to the devastating terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22, 26-year-old Navy officer Lieutenant Vinay Narwal’s world came crashing down in just six days.
Vinay, hailing from Bhusali village in the district and at present residing in Sector 7, Karnal, had tied the knot with Himanshi, a resident of Gurugram, just a week ago. Their wedding was nothing short of a fairytale — surrounded by mountains, flowers, friends and family.
The couple had planned a honeymoon trip to Switzerland, but their visa application was not approved,
The couple’s reception was held in Karnal on April 19. Full of life, laughter and dreams for the future, the newlyweds set out for a honeymoon to the scenic valleys of Jammu and Kashmir.
On April 21, they arrived in Pahalgam. A day later, tragedy struck. Vinay was killed in a terrorist attack, leaving behind a heartbroken wife, who still had the fresh mehndi (henna) of her wedding on her hands.
Himanshi survived the attack but is in shock and inconsolable grief. Their love story was shattered in an instant.
Vinay, who was posted in Kochi and was on leave for his wedding, returned home in a coffin on Wednesday evening. He was cremated with full honours.
According to family members, Vinay had planned a honeymoon trip to Switzerland. However, fate had other plans. The couple’s visa application was not approved, so they chose Pahalgam as an alternative. “My grandson and his wife wanted to travel to Switzerland, but destiny was not in their favour, and their visa was not approved,” said Hawa Singh Narwal, Vinay’s grandfather and a retired police officer, with tears rolling down his cheeks.
Vinay’s father, Rajesh Narwal, is a Superintendent in the Central Excise Department and is posted in Panipat. His mother, Asha Narwal, is a homemaker, and his younger sister, Srishthi, is currently pursuing a PhD.
The tragic news struck the family like lightning. At the time, family members were distributing wedding sweets among neighbours, celebrating the joyous union. “Everyone was so happy, and we were planning a ‘Mata ka jagran’ in a fortnight. But now, all our dreams lie shattered,” said a neighbour, his eyes brimming with tears.
One of the relatives said the family had video-called the couple after they reached Pahalgam. Vinay and Himanshi were excited about the new chapter of their lives, unaware that it would be cut short by a hail of bullets in the Baisaran area, often referred to as the “mini Switzerland” of Kashmir.
It is an incredibly difficult time for the family which was in the mood of celebration and rearranging the house after the marriage till Tuesday evening. Vinay’s grandfather, a heart patient, has been crying continuously. Initially, the news was withheld from his mother, Asha, but the truth could not be hidden for long. She now keeps losing consciousness while remembering her only son.
In a heartfelt appeal, Hawa Singh Narwal urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to give a befitting reply to the terrorists. “I want stringent action against those responsible for this massacre,” he demanded during a video call with Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini.
Haryana Tribune