I am a Soldier’s Wife: The Life and Love of Toni Lidder

Geetika Lidder

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In one of her last messages to her husband, Toni on 8 December 2021, Geetika wrote: ‘I want to go to the Taj with you. Moonlit night.’ ‘Yes yes… let us do it first week next year,’ he replied almost an hour later, onboard a Mi-17V5 helicopter when the helicopter crashed near Coonoor. A decorated officer of 2 JAK RIF with ‘sharp military intellect’, Toni’s life was cut short, at only 52 years, just as he was set to take over a division in J&K, and his family was looking forward to spending more time together.

An army daughter herself, Geetika knew the perils of being married to an infantry soldier. But does anything prepare you for such a sudden, quick, cruel turn of events? How do you gather strength to respond to media at the funeral of your loved one, ‘I am a soldier’s wife… We must give him a smiling send-off’?

Life is tough for a soldier’s wife and is not often written about. Geetika’s book is a brave step in opening her heart and sharing the constant battle between emotions, courage, and integrity in the lives of army wives. This book is part love story, tribute, and family history, but above all, it’s a story of celebrating the person that Toni was to his family, friends, and paltan.

ISBN/SKU	9788196738785
Imprint	‎ Roli Books
Language	English
Format	Hardback
Pages	224
Year of Pub.	2025

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About the Author

Geetika Lidder

Geetika Lidder is a fourth-generation member of the armed forces. A sapper’s daughter and an infantry officer’s wife, she has welcomed life with open arms and takes in her stride the highs and lows it serves her.

She has a bachelor’s degree in Computer Hardware from Fergusson College Pune and a master’s in Business Administration from Pune University. A trailing spouse, Geetika has over 25 years of varied work experience – the Indian Express Newspapers, the ITC Hotels, Amartex Industries, ICFAI Business School, Avalon Aviation Academy, GMR, Delhi School of Communication, etc.

She began teaching at the Shri Ram School in Delhi in 2013, followed by a three-and-a-half-year stint at the QSI American School in Astana, Kazakhstan. Ever since her return to India in 2017, she has anchored at the Shri Ram School, where she is now the Vice Principal of the Junior School. She stays in Delhi with her daughter Aashna.