Short Story- War Widow

War Widowhim so that he could get an order on that application.
My elder brother was in the Indian Army and when ourBut I did not agree.
forces were advancing Indo-Pak war of 1965 beforeAfter a few days I met the Director of Ayurveda
the start of India Pak war of 1965, my brother wasPunjab at his house situated in Patiala city. He was
killed in an accident which occurred in the operationhaving a talk with some traders of the city. I did not
area of Jammu and Kashmir. The widow of myrefer the happenings with the Chief Minister. But he too
brother was given some relief and also family pensionwas of the view,
and the state gave a job of trained -Dai to my Bhabi ji"She is war widow. We realized it. We have given her
too. The Family started going on once again.a job. Now we cannot assure her one station. She
With in the next two years, the Director of Ayurvedashould go wherever we Post her."
Punjab passed orders of transfer of Bhabiji to someWhen I started talking philosophy on war widows, the
village in Ferozepur District. And actually the newthree people sitting in that room also started
trained Dai joined the post and Bhabiji was relieved ofparticipation. They were also supporting the version of
her duties. On enquiring we found that this new ladythe Director. I stood up and started putting a volley of
was near to Director of Ayurveda Punjab and shequestion on them,
has been adjusted at the station by way of favour to"Have you ever sent a son of yours to army? Have
her.you ever seen one son dead in the army while fighting
Bhabiji jointed at the new station after availing ofwith the enemies? I am the real brother of that fauji
jointing time. But I was not accepting this transfer. Shewho has sacrificed for the country. This country is
had got three small children and it had become verybound to look after the children left by that fauji" And
difficult for her to run the family. So I started havingbefore I could do something more, I left this room.
some approach. One day a man met me who offeredNext day I again went to Chadigarh and approached
his help in taking me to the chief minister of Punjab. Ithe state minister of Health Punjab. He listened to me
should not name that fellow nor I would like to nameand requested me to have a seat in the adjoining
the Chief Minister. But somehow we could reach theroom. The peon came and offered me water and
chief Minister. I handed over the application to the chiefthen tea. within half an hour the Director was passing
Minister and also spoke some words saying that mythrough the doors of that room where I was sitting.
Bhabiji is war widow and she must be given someThe Minister talked to him and then I was called to the
station near to Patiala or Patiala proper so that sheminister's room. The Director beg my pardon and in my
could bring up three children. The chief Minister waspresence the minister directed him.
holding the application and said,"Tomorrow you should send government jeep to bring
-"I am the Chief Minister of the State. I have got otherher back. The lady who has been adjusted at her old
important works. I am not here to look into transferplace should be given some other station. She must
cases of Dais who are just class four employees ofreport tomorrow and after completing the work,
the state." Then the chief Minister had a look on theplease do report to me. We must understand that her
man who had brought me to this room. Then the Chiefhusband sacrificed his life while serving the Indian
Minister was giving the application to the Privatearmed forces and thereafter, this family belongs to the
Secretary. But I took the application from the hand ofcountry and this country must afford all help to this
Chief Minister and said,family."
- "I am sorry to trouble you. I simply thought that myI thanked the minister and was coming out. The peon
Bhabiji is a war widow and therefore, in spite of herwas following me and said,
having a class four status in the administration, she"This minister is also an Ex-serviceman. I am also an
stands at a different footing." And without listening toEx-serviceman. Only an Ex-serviceman could
further words from the mouth of the Chief Minister Iunderstand the situation and wellbeing of the families
came back with the application.of faujis……."
The man supporting me was not happy and wasI shook hands with him and came out of the Civil
insisting upon that I should hand over the application toSecretariat.