Kavita was more a frequent visitor to Vienna rather than a resident there during Hemant's stint in the embassy for five years, as she was teaching in India and she was preoccupied with her children. But whenever she was there, she contributed immensely to the social life of Vienna.
She was quiet, efficient and cheerful, but never demonstrative or loud. She chose to bask in her husband's friendships rather than make her own friends. She had remained a bit of an enigma even during those years. She has not changed much since the terrible tragedy except that her expressive eyes have taken on a touch of sorrow and steely determination.
Her courage in adversity is truly remarkable. Her concern is only that political controversies should not haunt her or her children in the coming days.
The best we can do for her is to leave her alone to come to terms with the reality and to support her and the children to move on.
Hemant and the ideals he stood for will live on in them.
As for the country, Hemant's sacrifice should lead to strengthening the defence of the country, including reforms that will strengthen and equip the police force to play its role effectively to prevent such attacks in the future.
Image: A mourner holds a photograph aloft at Hemant Karkare's funeral in Mumbai. Photograph: Sanjay Sawant
Also see: Remembering those we lost
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