Days after their son was awarded the posthumous Kirti Chakra, Indias second-highest peacetime gallantry honour, the parents of Captain Anshuman Singh, Ravi Pratap Singh and Manju Singh have voiced their concerns in an interview to a media channel urging the government to make a change in the Indian Armys Next to Kin policy.What is the Next to Kin policyIndian Armys next of kin (NOK) policy dictates the allocation of financial assistance to families in the event of the death of army personnel. As per the rule, personnels spouse, family, relative or legal guardian is considered as Next to Kin. However, the rule change of the personnel who is serving the country is married. In that case, their spouse replaces the parents in the NOK records.Why are they asking for the changeThe parents of late Officer Captain Anshuman Singhs parents have raised concerns after their daughter-in-law Smriti Singh received the gallantry award. While speaking to one of the media channels, the late Captains father voiced his concerns saying that NOK needs to be reframed. He mentioned that their daughter-in-law, Smriti Singh receives most of the entitlements following their sons death but she no longer resides with them. The parents mentioned that they have communicated the same to Union Minister Rajnath Singh also. President Droupadi Murmu conferred Kirti Chakra upon Captain Anshuman Singh to his wife on July 5.#WATCH | President Droupadi Murmu conferred Kirti Chakra upon Captain Anshuman Singh, The Army Medical Corps, 26th Battalion of the Punjab Regiment, posthumously. Disregarding his own safety, he exhibited exceptional bravery and resolve to rescue many people in a major fire… pic.twitter.com/BnKd2WS7Xk— ANI (@ANI) July 5, 2024The mother of the late Captain also voiced the same sentiment mentioning the condition, the parents deal with in such a situation.Notably, in July of last year, while doing his duty, Captain Anshuman perished in a fire incident in Siachen. He showed extraordinary bravery by jumping to save several people in a large fire situation, despite the risk to himself. He was hurt multiple times. He sustained several injuries and later succumbed to his injuries.
