Husband in Pak jail, woman observing KarvaChoth fast for 33 years
Barmer, October 19: It has been 33 years since Laxmi Kanwar heard from her husband but she is hopeful that he would return safe one day. Her husband accidentally crossed the Indo-Pakistan border in Barmer district of Rajasthan in 1983 while he was grazing goats.
And this belief has made her observe the Karva Chauth fast every year for the long life of her husband Bhagu Singh for the past 33 years.
Sixty-five-year old Laxmi Kanwar, having two sons and a daughter, now all married, does not know whether her husband, who was taken in custody by Pakistani Rangers, was in jail or living elsewhere in Pakistan.
Whenever she hears that the Pakistan government is releasing Indian prisoners, her hope rekindles and she starts decorating her house, informing villagers that her husband would be arriving shortly and she would extend him a warm welcome. But when nothing turns up, she gets disappointed.
Arjun Singh, who was just three when his father was detained, says, “My mother is optimistic about the return of my father. She is dedicated to the family and observes the Karva Chauth fast every year. We have tried to reason with her, but she has faith and says he would return one day as the goddess would hear her prayers.”
Arjun, who runs a small business, says, “We have approached the External Affairs and Home ministries and the PMO in the past three decades to locate my father. We have urged local MPs and MLAs besides the Chief Minister to intervene, but to no avail.”
And when the evening falls on the Karva Chauth day, Laxmi looks at the moon and takes out a framed picture of her husband before breaking her fast. And she does not forget to remember the day when Laxmi of Panion village had married Bhagu of nearby Dhanau village some 46 years ago.
