BANGALORE: “It is only the army that is helping us out and giving us the respect that we deserve. The Haryana government made tall promises when my husband passed away but haven’t received any assistance,” says Subedar Major Sri Bhagwan, father of Lance Naik Mukesh Kumar, who lost his life during Operation Rakshak on January 10, 1992.
Kumar was killed when a convoy in which he was travelling was bombed at Baramullah in Kashmir.
Most of them are happy with the facilities offered by the Army. However, they all feel let down by their respective state governments’ alleged indifference towards their rehabilitation.
Six ‘Veer Naris,’ or war-widows were felicitated at the platinum jubilee of the Corps of Military Police (CMP Centre and School) here on Sunday.
Mahabir Devi (70) is one such war widow who has been at the receiving end of the government. Her husband Lance Naik Ramdas was presumed missing and killed during the Indo-China war in 1962. “While we are just seeking respect and government jobs for the future generation of our families, all we have received are tall promises,” she says.
Santosh Devi, wife of Lance Naik Rajbir Singh, who lost his life during Operation Parakram on December 20, 2001, echoes a similar sentiment. “It is not known why the government does not want to help us. All we want is a government job for our children,” she says.
However, all of them have learnt how to deal with life post the loss. “One has to move on. However we want the next generation to join the armed forces and serve the country like how my husband did,” said a war widow.