IAF officer gives shoutout to 'fauji kids' in viral LinkedIn post: 'proud of you'

Niharika Handa started her post with the struggles that "fauji kids" face. (Representative Image)

An Indian Air Force (IAF) squadron leader’s post about the challenges that “fauji kids” (Army, as popularly called in Hindi) face in their lives, especially their formative years, has gone viral online. The post was shared on LinkedIn by Niharika Handa and received a lot of love and support from LinkedIn users.

The post by Handa, who has ten years of experience across different roles in the IAF, started with the struggles that “fauji kids” face as they have to constantly move houses, change schools and adapt to constantly-changing neighbourhoods.

“Fauji kids are truly impressive. They live all the challenges of military life, but they never signed up for it. They move houses, they change schools, and they adapt to constantly-changing neighbourhoods. Frequent moves are a way of life for the fauji child. It is never easy to say goodbye to friends and familiar routines, to begin again in a new school, a new neighbuorhood - and sometimes a new country!” she wrote.

Handa also talked about how army children say more goodbyes in their first few years than the average person does in a lifetime and proceeded to give them a big shoutout. “The fact is fauji kids say goodbye more often in their first few years than the average person does in a lifetime. A big shoutout to all the fauji kids because through their courage and support, they serve this Nation too - and I am proud of you all!”

She also hailed her toddler for bearing it all and shared a picture of her baby with the post. “Love and respect to my little darling and thanks for being not so fussy baby and supporting me and your dad always,” Handa added.

Needless to say that Handa’s post garnered a lot of attention and several people found it relatable.

“Every goodbye is like turning a page in a heartfelt tale of resilience and adaptability for a fauji child. It's not just a part of life; it's a beautiful skill they carry with them, making each new beginning a little easier,” a user wrote.

Another user commented, “As a proud fauji kid, I can wholeheartedly relate to every word in this post. Military life has instilled in us a unique sense of resilience and adaptability. Moving houses, changing schools, and embracing new neighbourhoods are not just challenges, but opportunities to grow and learn.”

“I am particularly impressed by the fact that fauji kids say goodbye more often in their first few years than the average person does in a lifetime. This must be very difficult, but they always manage to find a way to adapt and thrive. I am grateful for all the sacrifices that fauji kids make. They serve our country too, in their own special way. I am proud of all of them. I especially love your last comment, about your little darling. It is clear that you love and appreciate your child very much. Thank you for sharing this with me. I hope that all fauji kids have a happy and successful life. They deserve it!” a third user remarked.