BHOPAL : Wedded to olive green, many women living inside the army cantonment areas silently pray on Karva Chauth for the well-being of their husbands who are posted on borders or in far-flung areas.
With technological advancement, distances have lost meaning in today’s world. Many women talk to their husbands posted in far-flung areas through mobile phones or video-conferencing.
But not all areas can be accessed through internet. So, some women celebrate the occasion with the wives of other army personnel.
And when their husbands are present with them this day, their joy knows no bounds. Free Press talked to wives of army men in the city as to how they will celebrate Karva Chauth, which will be observed on Sunday.
Major Gulshan Mehta and I are army officers. Earlier, we both were posted at same place. But he is in Kharagpur and I am in Leh, Ladakh. It has been seven years since I married. I keep fast on Karva Chauth. Being a Punjabi, I have special connection to Karva Chauth. I never miss it and celebrate it in Punjabi style. My hubby comes home every year this day but this year he has not got leave. So, I am going to him to celebrate the festival.
Major Jaya Mehta.
Karva Chauth is a very special day, especially for the wives of those who serve in Indian army. Our husbands’ jobs involve risk. They go to borders to protect the country, so we keep fast for their well-being. I am married for over 24 years now but celebrated the day with my husband only on 10 occasions. My husband Col S K Obheroi is posted at different places, so I have to be strong. I never feel lonely. In such situations, I perform the rituals at my in-laws’ home. I celebrated with him for five years. This year, I will be with him as he is posted at ordnance factory in Itarsi.
Shopna Obheroi.
My husband Lt Commander Ankush Sachdeva who works in Indian navy is posted in Kerala. Though I married five years ago, I celebrated the festival with him only on three occasions. He was not with me on this day in 2015, so I performed all the rituals with the other women of the defence club and broke the fast after receiving video call from my husband. But this year he is with me. Lucky!
Swati Sachdeva.
This is the second time I am celebrating Karva Chauth with my husband Colonel A Sharma after the 15 years of my marriage. Though we belong to Jammu and Kashmir, we live in Bhopal because of my husband’s posting at EME Centre. I will celebrate Karva Chauth with my hubby and in-laws. So, it is a special Karva Chauth for me this year. Earlier, owing to my husband’s posting at different places, I performed the rituals in a temple of our colony or at our friend’s home and broke fast after seeing his photograph and talking to him over phone. It sometimes happened that during our stay in hilly areas I could not see moon, so I had to manage that situation. As an army officer’s wife, I know how to manage any situation. So, I am never upset about it. My husband does his duty and I do mine.
Poonam Sharma.
My husband Colonel Alok Sharma is posted at EME, New Delhi. We are married for 28 years. I keep fast on Karva Chauth every year. I am from Uttar Pradesh, so I perform the rituals that are prevalent in UP. I am celebrating with him this year.
Sudha Sharma.
