Lt Col Rishima Sarin Sharma, formerly known as Maj Rishima Sharma, has become widely known since 2010 as the woman who accepted her husband’s prestigious Ashoka Chakra from the then President of India Pratibha Patil on Republic Day 2010. She was the wife of Maj Mohit Sharma, AC, SM, one of the most decorated Special Forces heroes of India.
However, besides being Major Mohit Sharma’s wife, who received this high honour posthumously, Lt Col Rishima Sarin Sharma is herself a member of the Indian Army, an Army Service Corps officer. She grew up in a military family and had her own career in the Indian Army, before she became widowed.
Major Rishima Sharma biography, Army career, family, husband Major Mohit Sharma, Ashoka Chakra and inspiring life story in detail.
Major Rishima Sharma Biography Overview
The sources differ as to her rank throughout her career: she is referred to as Major Rishima Sharma at the time she accepted the Ashoka Chakra in 2010; while in later sources, she is described as a Lt Col/Col Rishima Sarin Sharma.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Rishima Sharma / Rishima Sarin Sharma |
| Known As | Major Rishima Sharma |
| Later Reported Rank | Lieutenant Colonel / Colonel |
| Profession | Indian Army Officer |
| Army Branch | Army Service Corps |
| Birthplace/Background | Gurdaspur district, Punjab |
| Father | Retired Colonel Mohan Lal Sareen |
| Brother | Indian Army Colonel in an Artillery Regiment |
| Husband | Major Mohit Sharma, AC, SM |
| Husband’s Unit | 1 PARA (Special Forces) |
| Children | Two |
| Major Public Recognition | Received Major Mohit Sharma’s Ashoka Chakra posthumously |
| Award Ceremony | 26 January 2010 |
| Award Presented By | Former President Pratibha Patil |
Who Is Major Rishima Sharma?
Major Rishima Sharma is a lady Army officer, who became known as the widow of Major Mohit Sharma, one of the most decorated 1 PARA (Special Forces) heroes, posthumously awarded the Ashoka Chakra for his exceptional courage and devotion to duty during a counter-terrorist operation in Kupwara, North Kashmir, in March 2009.
Like her husband, Rishima Sharma is herself a member of the Indian Army. She comes from an Army family and joined the Indian Army as a young woman. Reports indicate that she entered the Army Service Corps in 2001.
The national prominence of Lt Col Rishima Sarin Sharma began after her husband’s martyrdom. At the Ashoka Chakra award ceremony in 2010, she accepted this honour on his behalf from the then President of India Pratibha Patil. The ceremony is preserved in the picture published on the Wikimedia Commons.
Major Rishima Sharma Early Life and Childhood
Rishima Sharma is from a military family from Gurdaspur, Punjab. Her father, Mohan Lal Sareen, served in the Indian Army as a retired Colonel, while her brother served as a Colonel in the Artillery Regiment. Growing up in a military family, Rishima Sharma got used to the discipline and traditions of the Armed Forces. Military service became familiar to her from childhood.
So, unlike many others, she is not merely a wife of a hero but a woman who joined the Army and served there herself. She built her life, her identity within the Armed Forces well before the tragic incident turned her life.
Major Rishima Sharma Family Background
Lt Col Rishima Sarin Sharma comes from an Army family: her father and brother are former Army officers. Thus, from childhood, she knew all about military service and its responsibilities and sacrifices.
| Family Member | Details |
|---|---|
| Father | Colonel (Retd.) Mohan Lal Sareen |
| Brother | Colonel, Indian Army – Artillery Regiment |
| Husband | Major Mohit Sharma, AC, SM |
| Children | Two |
Major Rishima Sharma Education and Professional Background
Detailed information about Lt Col Rishima Sarin Sharma’s educational history is currently unavailable. However, it is known for sure that when she accepted her husband’s Ashoka Chakra in 2010, she worked as an Armed Forces doctor.
In later reports, she was described as an Army officer who joined the Army Service Corps in 2001. Thus, even before she became known for her husband’s bravery and award ceremony, she was serving in the Army.
Since available sources do not consistently provide information about her medical qualifications, it is not advisable to cite those details as confirmed facts without additional primary sources.
Major Rishima Sharma Indian Army Career
Rishima Sharma’s Army career is an important part of her biography. According to recent reporting, she joined the Army Service Corps in 2001. The Army Service Corps plays a crucial logistical role within the Armed Forces, supporting personnel through the supply and service infrastructure required for military operations.
Her career also demonstrates that she was not simply connected to the Army through her husband. She had her own professional journey in uniform.
Over the years, she progressed through the ranks. Contemporary reports from 2010 referred to her as Major Rishima Sharma, while later sources identify her as Lieutenant Colonel or Colonel Rishima Sarin Sharma.
- Joined the Indian Army in 2001, according to recent reports.
- Served in the Army Service Corps.
- Was serving as a Major around the time she received her husband’s Ashoka Chakra in 2010.
- Continued her Army career after Major Mohit Sharma’s martyrdom.
- Later sources identify her as Lieutenant Colonel/Colonel Rishima Sarin Sharma.
- Her military career reflects a family tradition of service in the Armed Forces.
Major Rishima Sharma and Major Mohit Sharma
The relations between Maj Rishima Sharma and Maj Mohit Sharma were one of the most essential elements of the Major’s biography.
Maj Mohit Sharma is one of the most decorated Special Forces officers of India. He distinguished himself by his gallantry in counter-terrorism operations. Before the fateful day in March 2009, he already won the Sena Medal for his heroic deeds.
The couple’s common Army background made it easier for them to share their experiences and stories.
However, the tragedy of the loss of husband and father changed Major Rishima Sharma’s life irreversibly.or Mohit Sharma
Major Mohit Sharma, AC, SM was one of India’s most decorated Special Forces officers.
Before the last and tragic operation, Maj Sharma won the Sena Medal for his courage and heroism. During one of his undercover missions, Maj Sharma managed to infiltrate a militant group under the fake identity of Iftikhar Bhatt and neutralise the terrorists.
On 21 March 2009, Maj Sharma led a Bravo Assault Team during an operation in Kupwara, North Kashmir. While under intense enemy fire and despite his serious wounds, he kept leading and protecting his team. He eventually made the supreme sacrifice and was awarded the Ashoka Chakra posthumously for his exceptional bravery.
For Major Rishima Sharma, this was the loss not only of her husband but of a father of their two children.
Major Rishima Sharma After Major Mohit Sharma’s Martyrdom
After Major Mohit Sharma’s death, Rishima Sharma became an honorary representative of her husband’s family at one of the key ceremonies of his posthumous awarding.
On 26 January 2010, Rishima Sharma received the Ashoka Chakra from the then President of India Pratibha Patil on behalf of her late husband. The ceremony was officially documented by the Press Information Bureau.
The picture of an Army officer accepting her husband’s greatest honour became a part of Maj Mohit Sharma’s legacy.
Meanwhile, Rishima Sharma continued her own career in the Army. This element of her biography is especially important as it reveals her as an officer in her own right, and not just a widow of a national hero.
Major Rishima Sharma Receiving Ashoka Chakra
The ceremony was officially photographed by the President’s Secretariat and published in the Press Information Bureau.
The award ceremony was not only the highest recognition of Maj Mohit Sharma’s sacrifice but also an extremely personal moment for his wife as she accepted it on behalf of her husband.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Award | Ashoka Chakra |
| Awarded To | Major Mohit Sharma, Posthumously |
| Received By | Major Rishima Sharma |
| Date | 26 January 2010 |
| Location | New Delhi |
| Presented By | President Pratibha Patil |
Major Rishima Sharma’s Life After Major Mohit Sharma’s Martyrdom
Mohit Sharma’s martyrdom in March 2009 caused an enormous personal tragedy to his wife. At the same time, she had her own responsibilities in the Indian Army and as the mother of two children. So, her life after Mohit’s death involved both the mourning and continuing her professional career.
While being affected by the tragedy, she did not allow her military career to be interrupted. This element of her life is especially important since she had her own military career before the last operation of Maj Mohit Sharma.
Major Rishima Sharma’s Continued Army Service
Unlike many widows, Rishima Sharma did not give up the military career after her husband died. The reports state that she joined the Army Service Corps in 2001 which means that she already had several years of service in the Indian Armed Forces when her husband was killed in action.
The Army Service Corps plays a supporting role in the Indian military. The functions of this branch of the Armed Forces are related to the logistic support of the units and personnel.
Some inconsistency in the sources concerning her professional description exists. While the contemporary source mentions that she was an Armed Forces doctor in 2010, the later reports name her as an officer of the Army Service Corps. Therefore, it is better to mention both descriptions while it is impossible to say for sure about her medical specialisation.
| Career Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Indian Army |
| Branch reported in later sources | Army Service Corps |
| Joined Army | 2001, according to later reporting |
| Rank in 2010 | Major |
| Later reported rank | Lieutenant Colonel / Colonel |
| Military Background | Strong family connection with the Armed Forces |
Major Rishima Sharma Children
Rishima Sharma and Major Mohit Sharma had two children. After the death of her husband, Rishima was raising her two children in addition to working in the Indian Army.
The sources do not provide sufficient verified information about the names, ages, education and careers of her children as they stayed mostly outside the public attention. Thus, it would be inappropriately to use any uncertain data in writing about her children.
| Family Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Husband | Major Mohit Sharma, AC, SM |
| Children | Two |
| Rishima’s Role | Army officer and mother |
| Major Family Event | Major Mohit Sharma’s martyrdom in March 2009 |
| Posthumous Honour | Ashoka Chakra awarded to Major Mohit Sharma |
Major Rishima Sharma and the Ashoka Chakra
One of the major events of Rishima Sharma’s life was the ceremony of awarding her with the Ashoka Chakra on behalf of her dead husband in 2010.
The ceremony took place in New Delhi, and the award was presented by then President Pratibha Devisingh Patil. The official photograph of the event records Rishima accepting the country’s highest peacetime gallantry award on behalf of her late husband.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Gallantry Award | Ashoka Chakra |
| Awardee | Major Mohit Sharma |
| Status | Posthumous |
| Received By | Major Rishima Sharma |
| Date | 26 January 2010 |
| Occasion | Republic Day |
| Place | New Delhi |
| Presented By | President Pratibha Patil |
The ceremony was more than a formal military presentation. For Rishima, it was a deeply personal moment because the honour recognised the courage and sacrifice of her husband, who had died while leading his men during a counter-terrorism operation.
Why Was Major Mohit Sharma Awarded the Ashoka Chakra?
To understand Rishima Sharma’s connection with the Ashoka Chakra, it is important to understand the circumstances surrounding her husband’s final operation.
Major Mohit Sharma was serving with 1 PARA (Special Forces) and was involved in counter-terrorism operations in Jammu and Kashmir. On 21 March 2009, he led a team during an operation in the Kupwara area of North Kashmir.
During the operation, he came under intense hostile fire and sustained serious injuries. Despite being wounded, he continued to lead and fight alongside his men. His actions helped his team engage the militants, and he ultimately made the supreme sacrifice. He was later awarded the Ashoka Chakra posthumously for his exceptional courage.
For Rishima, the award ceremony in 2010 represented the nation formally acknowledging the sacrifice that her family had personally experienced.
Major Mohit Sharma’s Earlier Gallantry and Rishima Sharma
Major Mohit Sharma’s final operation was not the first occasion on which he demonstrated exceptional courage.
During an earlier counter-terrorism mission, he reportedly operated undercover using the identity Iftikhar Bhatt and succeeded in gaining the confidence of militants. His actions during that mission contributed to the neutralisation of terrorists and earned him the Sena Medal.
His career therefore included more than one significant episode of gallantry.
| Award / Recognition | Details |
|---|---|
| Major Mohit Sharma | Sena Medal awarded for earlier gallantry |
| Ashoka Chakra | Awarded posthumously |
| Unit | 1 PARA (Special Forces) |
| Final Operation | Kupwara, North Kashmir |
| Date of Martyrdom | 21 March 2009 |
Major Rishima Sharma’s Military Family Background
Rishima Sharma herself came from a family with strong Armed Forces connections. Her father, Colonel Mohan Lal Sareen, is reported to have served in the Indian Army, while her brother also served as a Colonel in an Artillery Regiment.
This background is significant because Rishima’s decision to serve in the Army was not an isolated event. Military service was already familiar to her family.
- Her father was a retired Army Colonel.
- Her brother served as a Colonel in an Artillery Regiment.
- Rishima herself joined the Indian Army.
- Her husband Major Mohit Sharma served with the elite 1 PARA (Special Forces).
Major Rishima Sharma Father and Brother
Rishima’s father, Colonel (Retd.) Mohan Lal Sareen, played an important role in her military family background. Her brother also followed the military path and served as a Colonel in the Artillery Regiment.
Growing up in such a household would have given Rishima first-hand exposure to the realities of military life. Transfers, discipline, uniforms, service responsibilities and the risks faced by soldiers were not unfamiliar concepts in her family.
Her own decision to join the Army can therefore be viewed within this broader family tradition of service.
Major Rishima Sharma Rank and Career Progression
Rishima was publicly identified as Major Rishima Sharma when she received Major Mohit Sharma’s Ashoka Chakra in 2010. Later reporting has referred to her as Lieutenant Colonel Rishima Sarin Sharma and, more recently, as a Colonel.
Because military ranks can change over the course of an officer’s career, the safest way to present her career is chronologically rather than assigning one rank to her entire service.
| Period | Reported Information |
|---|---|
| 2001 | Joined the Indian Army, according to later reports |
| 2010 | Identified as Major Rishima Sharma |
| Later career | Reported as Lieutenant Colonel / Colonel Rishima Sarin Sharma |
This progression also demonstrates that she continued pursuing her own professional path after her husband’s martyrdom.
Major Rishima Sharma as an Army Officer and Mother
Rishima Sharma’s story is distinctive because she had to balance two demanding responsibilities after 2009.
On one side was her career as an Army officer. On the other was her responsibility toward the two children she had with Major Mohit Sharma.
The loss of a spouse is difficult for any family, but for a military family, the circumstances can be especially painful because the loss is connected with national service. Rishima’s decision to continue serving in the Armed Forces while raising her children became an important part of her personal journey.
Major Rishima Sharma and Major Mohit Sharma’s Legacy
Major Mohit Sharma’s story has continued to inspire people because of his courage, leadership and sacrifice. Rishima Sharma became an important part of that legacy because she received his Ashoka Chakra and continued to serve in the Army herself.
His legacy is remembered through:
- His service with 1 PARA (Special Forces)
- His earlier gallantry recognised with the Sena Medal
- His final counter-terrorism operation in Kupwara
- His posthumous Ashoka Chakra
- His family’s continued association with military service
Rishima’s own career adds another dimension to this story. She was not simply the recipient of an award on behalf of a fallen soldier; she was also an Army officer with her own professional responsibilities.
Major Rishima Sharma: Important Facts at a Glance
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Who is Major Rishima Sharma? | An Indian Army officer and the widow of Major Mohit Sharma |
| Who was her husband? | Major Mohit Sharma, AC, SM |
| When did Major Mohit Sharma die? | 21 March 2009 |
| What award did her husband receive? | Ashoka Chakra, posthumously |
| When did Rishima receive the award? | 26 January 2010 |
| Who presented the award? | President Pratibha Patil |
| How many children did they have? | Two |
| When did Rishima reportedly join the Army? | 2001 |
| Which branch is she associated with? | Army Service Corps, according to later reports |
| What was her rank in 2010? | Major |
Lesser-Known Facts About Major Rishima Sharma
- Rishima Sharma comes from a family with a strong military background.
- Her father, Colonel Mohan Lal Sareen, served in the Indian Army.
- Her brother also served as a Colonel in an Artillery Regiment.
- She reportedly joined the Indian Army in 2001.
- She was serving as a Major when she received Major Mohit Sharma’s Ashoka Chakra.
- She and Major Mohit Sharma had two children.
- She received the Ashoka Chakra from President Pratibha Patil on 26 January 2010.
- Major Mohit Sharma was a member of 1 PARA (Special Forces).
- Major Mohit Sharma had previously been awarded the Sena Medal.
- Rishima continued her own Army career after her husband’s martyrdom.
FAQs
Who is Major Rishima Sharma?
Major Rishima Sharma is an Indian Army officer and the widow of Major Mohit Sharma, the 1 PARA (Special Forces) officer who was posthumously awarded the Ashoka Chakra.
Is Major Rishima Sharma also an Army officer?
Yes. Rishima Sharma has served in the Indian Army. Later reports identify her with the Army Service Corps and state that she joined the Army in 2001.
Who was Major Rishima Sharma’s husband?
Her husband was Major Mohit Sharma, a Special Forces officer who was killed in action in Kupwara on 21 March 2009.
What award did Major Rishima Sharma receive?
She received the Ashoka Chakra on behalf of her husband, Major Mohit Sharma, who was awarded the honour posthumously.
When did Rishima Sharma receive the Ashoka Chakra?
She received the award on 26 January 2010, during the Republic Day ceremony in New Delhi.
Conclusion
Major Rishima Sharma’s story is much broader than her connection with Major Mohit Sharma. She comes from a military family, built her own career in the Indian Army and continued serving even after the tragic loss of her husband.
Her public journey became especially significant on 26 January 2010, when she accepted the Ashoka Chakra awarded posthumously to Major Mohit Sharma. The ceremony symbolised the nation’s recognition of his supreme sacrifice, while Rishima’s continued service reflected her own commitment to the Armed Forces.
Her life therefore represents two intertwined stories: the extraordinary courage of a Special Forces officer who made the ultimate sacrifice and the resilience of an Army officer who continued her own journey while carrying the responsibilities of family and service.
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