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