KACHREYAL (LoC), DEC 4: Their skin have withered, bones aged. They cannot walk properly. Over two decades after they lost their husbands, scores of childless war widows in the border area of Khour, here have now adopted children. And, today the widows are looking for their moorings in them.What took them so long? ``It was the hope of the return of my husband and also the social bindings that resisted me from taking the step earlier,'' said Pushpa Devi, whose husband died while fighting the Pakistani troop during '65 war. Unlike Kargil widows, these women whose husbands fought in previous wars did not receive their bodies nor any belongings. This led to the hope that one day they might return. But, they have no regrets for losing their youthful years waiting for their husbands. They are happy with the child, who according to them has now become the purpose of their living. As for many of them it was too difficult to cope with loneliness. The day Pushpa Rani got married, Pakistan opened front in Shakargarh. Her husband Havaldar Golu Ram of 8 Grenadiers, who was on leave then was called by his unit . Few days later, Rani got news of his martyrdom. They were told by the officials in unit that body could not be traced due to heavy pounding of shells in the area. This created hope about the return of her husband which prevented Rani from remarrying despite being asked by her in-laws.``Many times I used to hear from village women about the return of a jawan in their neighbourhood after several years, who was initially declared dead, but later found to be taken prisoner of war by the enemy. Such stories further strengthened my belief and my eyes for several years remained glued towards door that he might return one day,'' she claimed. Having faced the grind of 27 lonely years, Rani now 58, is longing for her butress to deliver against a harsh trek ahead. Today she tries to make up the time that elapsed by adopting a child whom she has named Vicky Sharma.Lachmi Devi, 65, last year adopted a child. Her husband sepoy Sain Dass in 8 Dogra was killed during an infighting with Chinese troops in 1962. When he died, she was receiving a pension of Rs 47 which has nowadays gone up to Rs 1,800. She has curtailed her expenses to take care of the child. ``At this age one needs somebody to look after and most importantly to love. So who else can give that to us,''Lachmi said.They feel that by this practice they have not only remained loyal towards their husbands with whom unfortunately they could spend just few moments.``Relations do not need years to develop. Those few hours were enough to create eternal bonds among us. So how come we even think of any other man in our life other than him,'' said another widow.And all they feel is that their wish of being getting their funeral pyre lit by their sons will also be fulfilled. ``At least now we can die with peace,'' they said.
