Daughter of late Colonel Vikram Kumar Jaitly and granddaughter of Colonel Eric Francis of the Rajputana Rifles, Celina Jaitly opened up about the emotional toll the current India-Pakistan tensions have taken on her, especially in light of Operation Sindoor and the Pahalgam carnage.
So many members of your family have served in the Indian Army. How do you feel about Operation Sindoor?
As a daughter, granddaughter, and sister of proud Indian Army veterans spanning three generations of service to the nation, these events touched me deeply, not just as a citizen but as someone who has lived and breathed the sacrifices our soldiers make. My grandfather stood tall during the 1962 Chinese aggression and the 1965 Indo-Pak war. My father, Colonel Vikram Kumar Jaitly, a 1971 war veteran, was severely wounded at just 21. His body was embedded with shrapnel and his leg was ripped by bullets, two wound medals, and later he continued his service to be honoured with the Sena Medal for his courage in combating insurgency. My brother, a former Special Forces officer of the elite Parachute Regiment, has also served this nation with distinction.
How did you react to the Pahalgam carnage?
With such a legacy, my conscience will never allow me to remain silent during moments that test our nation’s spirit. I have spoken up despite losing many followers because I believe silence is a disservice to the sacrifices made by those who stand on the frontlines for our peace and sovereignty. While diplomacy and dialogue must always remain open channels, we cannot ignore the horrific reality of terrorism that continues to claim innocent lives. Pahalgam’s tragic carnage and the sacrifices of our brave hearts during Operation Sindoor remind us that peace is not merely declared — it is defended.
Many of the A-listers in the Hindi film industry have chosen a diplomatic silence at a time when the nation is at war.
To my colleagues in Bollywood, I say this with all sincerity: only those should encash on the bravery of the uniform in their films who can also stand by the very forces whose real-life courage earns them millions. My late father, Colonel Vikram Kumar Jaitly, always said, “If you want to honour a soldier, be an Indian worth dying for.”
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