Neha Unnikrishnan: You may be familiar with various heartbreaking love stories, but the one we’re delving into today is particularly poignant. Neha Unnikrishnan and her spouse, Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan, shared a married life for a few years until Neha faced a devastating upheaval in her world.
Neha Unnikrishnan’s spouse was a courageous Indian Army officer, tragically lost during the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks on the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel in a hostile act by Pakistan against India. Despite Neha choosing to lead a private life away from the public eye, we have endeavored to gather some insights into her world.
The Early Years of Neha Unnikrishnan
As previously mentioned, Neha Unnikrishnan is the spouse of the late Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan, who sacrificed his life on November 28, 2008, battling terrorists during the Mumbai terror attacks when Pakistan targeted India’s Taj Mahal Palace Hotel. In terms of her early years, it is speculated that Neha was born in Kerala and grew up in Bangalore.
Nonetheless, specific details about Neha Unnikrishnan’s date and year of birth remain undisclosed. Furthermore, information about her parents and siblings remains elusive to the public. Online sources suggest that Neha Unnikrishnan and her family hail from a Hindu background.
Furthermore, Neha Unnikrishnan attended a local school for her early education. Subsequently, she pursued higher education at a college and successfully earned her degree.
The Love Story of Neha Unnikrishnan and Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan
Neha Unnikrishnan was born in Kerala, and later, her family relocated to Bangalore. She enrolled in Frank Anthony Public School, where fate brought her together with Sandeep. Their connection grew stronger, leading to their eventual marriage.
Despite dating for years, Neha Unnikrishnan and Sandeep faced challenges in their married life due to Sandeep’s unwavering commitment to serving his country, which became his foremost priority after marriage.
Furthermore, details about Neha Unnikrishnan’s children are unavailable, and there is limited information on this topic. Similarly, information about Neha Unnikrishnan’s parents has not been extensively shared, either in the public domain or in the movie.
A Glimpse into the Life of Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan
Neha Unnikrishnan’s husband, Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan, hailed from Kozhikode, Kerala. The family, including the couple and their child, later relocated to Bangalore when Sandeep was quite young. His father, K. Unnikrishnan, had a background as a retired ISRO officer, and his mother, Dhanalakshmi Unnikrishnan, was a homemaker.
Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan’s parents initially desired him to pursue a career in medicine, but he was driven by inspiration from the naval forces, aspiring to join the navy. He had a sister named “Sandhya.” However, details about Neha Unnikrishnan’s parents remain undisclosed.
Reverence for Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan from His Alma Mater
Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan, celebrated for his heroic sacrifice in the Nariman House terrorist attack, dedicated 14 crucial years of his life to the Frank Anthony Public School (FAPS) in Bangalore. Recognized as an exceptional student and athlete, he was driven by his aspiration to join the Army. Apart from his military ambitions, Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan was known for his compassionate nature and love for animals.
Principal C Browne, who had the privilege of teaching Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan, fondly recalls him as an outstanding student with remarkable achievements in academics and sports. Despite his courageous demeanor, Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan had a tender side and even contributed to the school choir. FAPS intends to pay tribute to his memory through a memorial assembly service, commemorating the life of their cherished schoolmate.
Destiny had distinct intentions for Neha Unnikrishnan’s husband, leading him to be chosen for the National Defence Academy.
At the moment of his demise, Sandeep was fulfilling the role of the training officer for the 51 Special Action Group of the National Security Guards.
How Did Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan Meet His Demise?
In November 2008, Mumbai was struck by a meticulously planned terrorist attack orchestrated by Lashkar-e-Taiba. Among the targeted locations was the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, where numerous individuals found themselves in a perilous situation. Consequently, the army took on the crucial task of rescuing those trapped on the premises.
To address the crisis, commandos from the National Security Guards were deployed. Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan took charge of leading the operation, formulating essential strategies for entering the hotel. He collaborated with fellow commando Sunil Kumar Yadav of the Black Cat Commandos during this critical mission.
In the critical hours of November 26, Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan had a momentous conversation that would be his last call.
On the night of November 26, amidst the Mumbai terror siege, 31-year-old Sandeep Unnikrishnan made a poignant call to his slumbering father, urging him to switch on the television and witness the unfolding tragedy. This conversation would be their final exchange.
As NSG commandos commenced operations in Mumbai on Thursday evening, Sandeep Unnikrishnan’s father attempted to contact his son but was met with a friend named Sarvesh. Sarvesh conveyed that Sandeep was on a secret mission in Mumbai, leaving the family in suspense.
What Transpired Inside the Mission?
Neha Unnikrishnan‘s husband, Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan, displayed extraordinary courage and leadership during the mission, risking his life to save hostages. Despite being shot multiple times, he remained composed, leading his team and rescuing nearly fourteen hostages. He also ensured the safety of his fellow commando, Sunil Kumar Yadav, who was severely injured.
Upon reaching the upper part of the hotel, Sandeep decided to take the matter into his own hands. He directed his team to stay put and stopped them from coming up. By this time, he was severely injured and covered with blood; thus, he ended up sacrificing his own life for the nation. He successfully saved many hostages. While doing this he also save commando Sunil Kumar Yadav who suffered many wounds in the battle.
The Nation Pays Tribute to the True Martyr
Sandeep’s name remains inscribed in golden letters in India’s history. The nation remembers Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan as a true hero who sacrificed his life for the country, fighting until his last breath. His last rites, performed with military honors on November 29, and his memory continue to be honored on social media platforms.
Reports suggest that the weather in Bangalore turned gloomy on the day of Sandeep’s death, as if the clouds themselves mourned the loss of a young soldier. Neha Unnikrishnan, deeply affected by her husband’s passing, has chosen to keep a low profile, staying away from public attention.
The nation paid tribute to Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan’s sacrifice by renaming Mother Dairy Double Road in Bangalore after him. Additionally, a bust in his honor has been installed at one of the junctions in Bangalore, which has also been renamed in his memory.
Sandeep Unnikrishnan was posthumously awarded the Ashok Chakra, India’s highest peacetime gallantry award, by the Government of India.
Her husband participated in several high-profile army operations, such as Operation Vijay, Operation Rakshak, and Operation Parakram.
Film Dedicated to his Heroics
Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan’s sacrifice for his country has been commemorated with a biopic titled “Major,” released in 2022.
While Adivi Sesh portrayed the character of Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan, Saiee Manjrekar played the role of Neha (Isha) in the biopic “Major,” released in 2022. The film pays tribute to the sacrifice of Neha Unnikrishnan’s husband, depicting a determined soldier who willingly risks everything for his country.
During the 2008 Mumbai attacks, Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan bravely uttered his last words:
“Don’t come up, I will handle them.”
His final words, spoken with courage, are a testament to his selfless sacrifice for the nation, engraved on his legacy. The portrayal in the movie captures the difficulty of such moments, emphasizing the real challenges faced in such situations.
Who is Neha, referred to as Isha, in Sandeep Unnikrishnan’s life, as portrayed in the film “Major”?
Neha, also known as Isha, plays a pivotal role in Sandeep Unnikrishnan’s life, as illustrated in the film “Major.” In the movie, Neha Unnikrishnan is portrayed as the wife of Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan, a courageous soldier who gave his life during the 2008 Mumbai attacks. Saiee Manjrekar brings Neha’s character to life, showcasing the strength and resilience of military spouses. The film sheds light on the difficulties they encounter and the steadfast support they offer to their significant others in the armed forces.
What is Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan’s wife Doing Now?
The courageous young soldier, Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan, lived and died with remarkable bravery, leaving Neha Unnikrishnan filled with pride. Although he left behind his mother, father, and wife, Neha Unnikrishnan, she is said to be working as an architect, choosing to maintain a low profile.
Moreover, there isn’t much information regarding her on the internet. There is also no information about Neha Unnikrishnan’s children. As his parents claim that there were not any children from their marriage.
Neha Unnikrishnan: A Decade After the 26/11 Mumbai Attacks
After the 10 years of 26/11 Mumbai attacks the Information about Neha Unnikrishnan’s current whereabouts and way of life is not readily available. Sandeep’s death upset Neha and she has chosen to keep a low profile, likely due to the media attention and the tragic loss of her husband.
Neha Unnikrishnan made a deliberate choice to maintain a discreet presence following her husband’s passing, opting for a private life away from the public eye. She abstains from creating any social media accounts, including an Instagram page, and prefers to keep her personal affairs confidential. Her solace emanates from the knowledge that her late husband demonstrated heroism by rescuing hostages during the Mumbai attacks.
The identity of Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan’s wife remains undisclosed to the public, and details about her current occupation and activities are not publicly available. Deliberately choosing to distance herself from the public eye and media attention, she has opted for a more private life, abstaining from any engagement on social media platforms.
Conclusion
Neha Unnikrishnan, the spouse of the courageous Indian soldier Major Sandeep, faced the tragic loss of her husband during the confrontation with a group of Pakistan-led terrorists in the 26/11 terror attacks in Mumbai. Currently, there is limited information available about Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan’s wife, as she intentionally maintains a low profile, choosing to stay away from public attention. While there exists an unofficial Neha Unnikrishnan Instagram page, updates about the wife of the brave soldier are not readily accessible.
