By: Dr. Rajesh Bhat*
In the annals of Jammu and Kashmir’s history, countless political figures are remembered, debated and commemorated. Roads, buildings and institutions bear their names. Yet, hidden beneath layers of neglect lies the story of a remarkable couple whose contributions to the Nation earned them some of India’s highest honours!
The wife received the Padma Shri. The husband received the Ashok Chakra. Both served the Nation during some of its most perilous moments. Both became symbols of courage in a conflict-ridden frontier region.
And both were eventually forgotten.
The story of Mali Bee and Maulvi Ghulam-ud-Din of Jhangar, Rajouri, is not merely a tale of bravery. It is also a reminder of how easily a Nation can lose sight of its true heroes.
Historic honour for a village woman
Long before women empowerment became a policy slogan and long before social media celebrated female achievers, a simple village woman from Rajouri achieved something unprecedented.
For her extraordinary service to the nation, Mali Bee was awarded the Padma Shri, one of India’s highest civilian honours.It was in 1966 for her services during the 1965 Indo-Pak conflict in the Rajouri–Jhangar sector.
At a time when women from remote border regions rarely found mention in national discourse, the recognition was extraordinary. It reflected the magnitude of her contribution and the respect she commanded among those who knew of her courage.
She was not a politician. She was not a celebrity. She was not a member of an influential family. She was simply a patriotic woman who chose duty over fear when her nation needed her.
Today, few people in Jammu and Kashmir know her name. Fewer still realise that she was the first woman from the erstwhile State of Jammu and Kashmir to receive such a prestigious national honour.
The woman whom the Republic of India once celebrated has virtually disappeared from public memory.
Ashok Chakra hero besides her
If Mali Bee’s story is remarkable, her husband’s story is equally extraordinary.
Maulvi Ghulam-ud-Din, a respected cleric from the same village, distinguished himself through acts of courage and service that earned him the Ashok Chakra, India’s highest peacetime gallantry award.
The decoration placed him among an elite group of Indians whose bravery was considered exceptional even by national standards.
The image of the elderly Maulvi proudly wearing his Ashok Chakra, published in newspapers decades ago, captures a life devoted to service rather than recognition.
His patriotism transcended personal interests. His courage transcended fear. His legacy transcended the divisions that often dominate discussions about Jammu and Kashmir.
Yet, like his wife, he too slipped into obscurity.The medal survived.The memory faded.
Rare distinction shared by husband, wife
India has honoured countless individuals with civilian and gallantry awards. But it is difficult to find many examples of a husband and wife each receiving such prestigious national recognition.
One earned the Padma Shri. The other earned the Ashok Chakra. Together, they represented two different forms of service to the Nation—civilian courage and gallantry under extraordinary circumstances. Their home in Jhangar was not a seat of power. It was a modest household in a troubled border region. Yet it produced two national heroes.
In any other place, their story would have become part of public folklore. Schools would teach it. Researchers would document it. Memorials would preserve it. Instead, it gradually faded from public consciousness.
Cruelty of historical amnesia
Perhaps the most tragic aspect of their story is not what they endured during their lives, but what happened after.
As decades passed, the names of Mali Bee and Ghulam-ud-Din slowly disappeared from public conversations. New generations grew up without hearing about them. Official commemorations became rare. Academic attention remained limited.
The heroic couple who once brought honour to Jammu and Kashmir became little more than footnotes.
Today, when Jammu and Kashmir seeks to preserve its rich and diverse history, the story of Mali Bee and Maulvi Ghulam-ud-Din deserves renewed attention. Their lives challenge us to reconsider who we choose to remember.
For here was a couple unlike any other: Padma Shri wife. Ashok Chakra husband.
*Dr. Rajesh Bhat is a veteran media professional, researcher and author with a Ph.D in Journalism and Mass Communication. He is deeply engaged in documenting the neglected socio-cultural and historical narratives of Jammu & Kashmir. As one of the founders of Kashmir Rechords Foundation, he works towards preserving archival heritage, recovering forgotten stories and bringing unsung personalities of the region into the public domain.
