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