VKET comes to her rescue

Mysore, Feb. 20 (KCU)- Army personnel who attain martyrdom are usually honoured posthumously but the plight of a few war widows go unnoticed, being left to fend for themselves.

Here is a classic example of a young girl from city getting widowed at 20 and facing the challenges of life with a child to support. Help has come in from a good samaritan and an ex-serviceman who is instrumental in shaping her career.

Sarala, the girl in question, got married to B.N. Kiran Kumar, a sepoy in the Indian Army at a tender age of 18. She was blessed with a child at 19. But tragedy struck them on Jan. 9, 2008 when Kiran was killed while reportedly fighting terrorists in Kashmir during Operation Rakshak. Sarala was just 20 then when life got totally devastated.

Hailing from an economically weaker section of society, Sarala had got married even before she had completed her graduation. She had lost her father early in life and her two brothers worked in a small shop. But future appeared totally dark for her. However, she just managed to complete her B.Com from Maharani's College here.

Help came in from M.N. Subramani, President, Vekare Ex-Servicemen Trust (VKET) of city, who incidentally was Sarala's lecturer while doing her PUC at People's Park PU College in Nazarbad. Subramani had recommended Sarala's name for felicitation during the Republic Day function in city when family members of martyrs were honoured.

Surprise meet

Speaking to Star of Mysore, Subramani said "I was surprised to learn on her felicitation day that she was my student in PUC. On learning about the plight of Sarala, I decided to carve a career for her. I have been providing her training in office management, computer operations and personnel relations. I am also grooming her to take up the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC)."

Irked at the government's apathy to consider her for a job on compassionate grounds, Subramani said "Efforts are on the apprise the State and Union Governments and the Indian Army to offer jobs under reservation category to family members of soldiers killed in action. Only less than 250 war widows are under the eligible category in the State," he pointed out.

Sarala, speaking to Star of Mysore, profusely thanked Subramani for his help without which she could not have looked at her future with confidence.

Courtesy : Star Of Mysore