Giridih/Ranchi: Reshmi Updhyay was only 19 when she got married. However, within four years, she became a widow. Reshmi, is the wife of martyr Sitaram Upadhyay, a constable of Border Security Force (BSF), who was killed on May 18, 2018 when Pakistan violated cease fire in the Jammu border.
Sitaram is survived by two children, a three-year-old daughter and a two-year-old son. Reshmi, who is single child of her parent, has a difficult life already as not only is her father is deaf, but her father-in-law is also blind. Martyrdom of Sitaram, has made things even more unbearable for her as her family is now having to survive without any steady source of income.
Making things difficult for her is the Jharkhand government.
“It has been over 10 months, but I have yet to get the job and land that had been promised by the government. The land had been promised at two places, one in the township, for residential purpose and other in rural area for agricultural. But, at least I should get the residential purpose land,” Reshmi told eNewsroom.
She further narrated, “But more than the land, I am in need of a job. As now I have to think about the future of my children. I have got a certain amount as compensation from BSF and the state government, but if I will spend them now, then I do not know what will happen in the future. In the hope of getting job, I did not apply for any petrol pump or gas agency license as then I may not get job.”
Listen to the wife of martyr Sitaram Upadhyay
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMzL808SD_s[/embedyt]
Reshmi, who had left her graduation midway wants to become a graduate too, by appearing for the final year course.
The widow, till date has met three deputy commissioners of Giridih—Manoj Kumar, his successor Neha Arora and her successor Rajesh Pathak, a dozen times. Reshmi also wrote for Jan Sanwad, a public hearing platform which is organised by the Jharkhand chief minister Raghubar Das. But she is yet to get any response.
She has also been invited by the Jharkhand cabinet minister Dinesh Uraon to attend Jharkhand Vidhan Sabha foundation day function.
“On November 22, when the foundation day of Jharkhand Vidhan Sabha was celebrated, I had been called to attend the event. During the event everyone, including the ministers promised of getting me a job soon, but it is yet to happen,” she rued.
A forth night ago, Reshmi had met deputy commissioner Rajesh Pathak, who had promised her that during the meeting of Sthapana Samiti (emplacement committee), a decision would be taken.
When contacted Deputy Commissioner, Giridih Rajesh Kumar Pathak, he told eNewsroom, “The meeting had held and the committee has agreed for Reshmi Upadhyay’s job.”
But the widow, who is eagerly waiting for her job, and met officers several times, have not got any official communication about the development.
“I did not receive any information regarding it. Hope it has been done and soon i will hear about it,” she added.
While her job process may have pushed forward, but the land promised to her yet to be provided. And the big question is, why even after such show of high respect for armed forces by political parties, still a martyr’s widow has to run pillar to post to get what she has been promised by governments?
