The death of the mother at the 13th-day memorial service of pilot Rajveer Singh Chauhan in the Kedarnath helicopter crash

In a devastating sequence of events that has left an entire community in mourning, the Chauhan family of Jaipur has experienced unimaginable grief within a matter of weeks. The tragic story began on June 15th, 2025, when a helicopter crash in Kedarnath claimed seven lives, including that of pilot Rajveer Singh Chauhan. Little did anyone know that this heartbreaking incident would trigger another tragedy just thirteen days later, when Rajveer’s mother, Vijayalakshmi Chauhan, succumbed to the overwhelming shock and grief of losing her beloved son.

The Kedarnath helicopter crash sent shockwaves across India, particularly in Jaipur where Rajveer Singh Chauhan was known as a respected member of the community. A retired Lieutenant Colonel from the Indian Army, Rajveer had transitioned to civilian aviation after his distinguished military service. His final moments were captured in a viral video that showed his wife, Lieutenant Colonel Deepika Chauhan, bidding him farewell in her army uniform—a poignant scene that brought tears to countless viewers as she clung to her husband’s mortal remains. Deepika’s visible anguish symbolized the profound loss experienced by the entire family, who were already struggling to comprehend the sudden void left by Rajveer’s untimely death.

The tragedy deepened when, on the thirteenth day after Rajveer’s passing—a day traditionally marked by religious rituals known as “terahvin”—his mother Vijayalakshmi Chauhan suddenly collapsed during the ceremonies. Despite being rushed to the hospital, she was declared dead upon arrival. Family friend Suraj recounted the heartbreaking sequence of events: “The family was already inconsolable after Rajveer’s death. On Saturday morning, Vijayalakshmi woke early to prepare food with her own hands for the Brahmin feast. When relatives arrived from Bikaner, she became emotional and started weeping uncontrollably.” It was during this outpouring of grief that she experienced severe chest pain, which proved fatal.

Neighbors and relatives universally attributed Vijayalakshmi’s sudden passing to the unbearable emotional trauma of losing her son. The community remembered her as a devoted mother who had bravely participated in Rajveer’s final journey, chanting “Rajveer Amar Rahe” (Long Live Rajveer) during his funeral procession while tenderly touching his photograph. Her strength in those moments made her subsequent collapse even more shocking to those who knew her.

The funeral rites for Vijayalakshmi were performed at Chandpol Cremation Ground, attended by family members, neighbors, and a significant contingent of army officers and personnel. Lieutenant Colonel Deepika Chauhan arrived in her uniform, visibly distraught as she paid her final respects to her mother-in-law—a painful echo of her farewell to her husband just weeks earlier. The dual tragedy has highlighted the profound emotional toll that sudden loss can exact on family members, particularly parents who must endure the unnatural pain of burying their children.

Rajveer Singh Chauhan’s legacy extends beyond his tragic end. As a retired Lieutenant Colonel who served his country before transitioning to civilian aviation, he represented the best of India’s disciplined service tradition. His wife Deepika continues to serve as a Lieutenant Colonel, embodying the same commitment to duty that characterized their marriage. The couple’s story—cut short by the Kedarnath crash—has become emblematic of the sacrifices made by military families and the fragility of life.

The Chauhan family’s ordeal underscores a vital conversation about grief support systems for families experiencing traumatic loss. Mental health professionals emphasize that the emotional impact of sudden bereavement can manifest physically, particularly among elderly parents. Vijayalakshmi’s death serves as a somber reminder that emotional trauma can have fatal consequences, especially when compounded by pre-existing health conditions exacerbated by profound sorrow.

As Jaipur mourns both Rajveer and his mother, their story has resonated nationwide. The dual funerals within weeks of each other have drawn attention to the importance of community support during times of crisis. Army colleagues, neighbors, and relatives have rallied around the surviving family members, particularly Deepika Chauhan, who now bears the unimaginable burden of losing both her husband and mother-in-law in rapid succession.

In the annals of human suffering, few narratives are as poignant as a mother dying of a broken heart after losing her child. Vijayalakshmi Chauhan’s passing adds a tragic coda to the Kedarnath helicopter crash—a reminder that the casualties of such disasters extend beyond the immediate victims to those left behind, whose hearts may never fully heal from the loss. As the community reflects on these events, Rajveer and Vijayalakshmi Chauhan will be remembered not just for how they died, but for the lives they lived and the love they shared with those fortunate enough to know them. Their legacy stands as a testament to the enduring bonds of family and the profound resilience required to face life’s cruelest moments.

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