On SAF Games sidelines, a woman’s 33-year personal quest

It hasn’t stopped Damyanti from trying. ‘‘We were married only for one year when Vijay had to report for national duty. But he hasn’t come back since then,’’ she says. ‘‘I don’t want to go back with regret that I did not try.’’

It’s been a hard task, made harder by the mercurial relations between the two countries. In 1983, Damyanti was sent to Pakistan by the Indian Government; officials in Islamabad had also agreed to set up an identification parade of POWs in Kotlakpat Jail in Lahore. The understanding, she says, was that 30 POWs would be released by either side.

‘‘But just as we landed in Pakistan the Indian media reported that the Indian Government had released only two prisoners,’’ Damyanti recalls. ‘‘The Pakistan government reciprocated by releasing two, and Vijay was not one of them. I was put on the next flight back and my dream was shattered.’’

If she sees a ray of hope in the thawing of ties between the neighbours, she has also been doing her own bit to improve bilateral relations.

In the early sixties, some Pakistani players participated in the Northern India Badminton Championship in Lucknow. Pakistan’s national champion, Akram Baig, was left without a partner in the mixed doubles event and Damyanti — 12 at the time — stepped up. ‘‘We not only played but beat some established doubles pair to enter the third round. After the match Baig carried me around the hall on his shoulders to the delight of my teammates.’’

The Lucknow incident had faded in Damyanti’s mind till the SAF Games, when the Pakistan Badminton Federation hosted a dinner for the participating teams. Damyanti met a handsome young Pakistani player: Ali Yaar Baig was the son of Akram Baig. The son called the father in Karachi, who in turn spoke to Damyanti to go down memory lane.

Ever since, Damyanti has become ‘aunty’ to the entire Pakistani badminton team. And before Ali Yaar took to the court against India, he went to Damyanti, gave her a big hug and asked for her blessings. ‘‘God bless you beta, all the best,’’ she said.