Recognition of Sacrifice
As the first battle in India fought under the electronic media eye, the detailed reports
on the casualties of the Kargil war evoked greater sympathy and emotional reverence for
the heroic sacrifice of the army. This was followed up by airlifting of bodies to Delhi
and/or the capital of the state the person hailed from and finally to respective villages.
Each martyr was given a State funeral attended by thousands of villagers and state and
local dignitaries. Apart from this each widow was recognised for her sacrifice and
felicitated by the nation. Most importantly, for the first time, the Government worked out
an unprecedented compensation package for the families and delivered it as soon as
possible. These factors make the Kargil war widows different from other war widows in
India.
The Kargil Package
Though India has fought wars previously, the compensation package and its dispensation was
unique in the Kargil war. Compensation paid out was to the tune of Rs. 25 to 30 lakhs (US$
50,000-70,000) and most of it within 15 days of the death. This included contributions
from the Central Government, State Government, Group Insurance, Benevolent Funds and the
National Defence Fund (NDF) and donations of several social groups and relief funds. Up to
Rs.200,000 was also placed in a long term deposit by the NDF towards the education of
children on which interest was paid monthly and the amount matured when the child attained
the age of 18 for girls and 21 for boys. A son or brother of the deceased was also
enrolled in the army. This package was no doubt sufficient to make the family financially
independent and secure.
It is in this context that this study was undertaken by the Sociology Department,
Rajasthan University, Jaipur. The objective of the study is to assess the relationship
between education and the impact of the compensation paid to Kargil war widows (as well as
Operation Rakshak) belonging to Rajasthan. The study included primary research through
unstructured interviews, case studies and observations to supplement secondary research.
The study covers families of servicemen in non-officer cadres only, 55 widows and 3 sets
of parents of unmarried martyrs hailing from Jhunjhunu, Sikar, Churu, Alwar and Nagaur
districts. Co-operation for the study was sought and received and personal visits were
made to every household to collect data. The widows were questioned to check their
knowledge of the benefits accruing to them and the use the money is being put to.
Knowledge about Benefits.
All the respondents were asked the exact amount of money
received by them. Not a single widow could (or would) tell the exact amount. In all cases,
they referred the question to a male member of the family - father-in-law, brother-in-law,
father, brother or son.
The respondents were asked if they could give an estimate. None of the widows'
guesstimates were close to actual figures.
Similarly, only 50 per cent of the women knew the exact amount of the pensions
drawn by them. The other 50 per cent had to ask their father/father-in-law /brother /
brother-in-law for the information.
It is clear from these responses that all of them have no idea about their financial
status - neither the corpus nor the income.
The Use of Funds
The next question was "how much of the money have you spent and on what?" Again none of
them knew the exact figures but 50 per cent had an idea about where the money went. The
chief uses for the money were as follows:
The responses of the other 50 percent varied as below :
While these questions do not give definite indication of cheating or mismanagement, it may
be too early to judge that. However clearly, these widows have little to do with the
decision about how the money is to be spent. They just seem happy to have received the
money and believe that it has improved their status and empowered their families.
Education Level of Widows
That education of women has a positive correlation with socio-economic and demographic
indices has been proved through several earlier studies. Should these widows be better
educated they would be better equipped to handle their finances independently. At present,
their education levels are low. Their levels of literacy began with the mere ability to
sign (as against thumb impressions made by illiterates). Quite a few were prompted by
other family members to provide answers, as they did not seem to even understand the
question. Only one widow had ever attempted the Class X examination and was wary of asking
for a tutor to help take it again.
When asked if they had any special vocational training, only one respondent said she had
training in stitching. Others have no knowledge of any field like stitching, embroidery,
making pickles/dairy products or any other skill. Most of them worked on family land and
were said to be good at the job.
Impact of Financial Package
Asked how the financial package had improved their lives, all of them spoke of a positive
impact. Responses received included:
Some sample responses include the following:
When I became a widow, I was very scared, as I knew the status of widows in
society. But over-night my status has gone up. I am consulted on each and every thing
regarding money matters, because without my signature money cannot come to the household.
Suddenly my decision making power has come to light, my in-laws are asking me for
every detail, I feel so happy and satisfied. Now I know I am very important, since I have
lots of money; how much I, do not know.
Previously my husband's pay used to come to the account of my father-in-law, but
now it is me who operates the account ( It is the rule of the Central Government that the
pension of the widow will be transferred to her account only).
My own parents never used to call me to stay with them for any length of time, but
now they are asking me to stay with them permanently. They are saying that they are going
to look after my children and me. Don't I know the reason? It is the money, nothing else,
but my izzat (honor) lies with this family, with my in-laws. I will not go to my parent's
house for good.
But along with these comments, they also showed trepidation, resentment and distrust. The
initial euphoria of a secure financial future and better status in society is now being
offset by concerns about:
Below are some illuminating cases.
A widow refused the offer of a petrol station given by the Central Government. We spent
one day with her to know the reasons for her refusal. She broke down after a couple of
hours. "Everybody has become my enemy, I do not know how much I have got. If I take the
petrol pump, somebody else will take it away from me. Why should I get it for somebody
else? I sign cheques but I do not know where the money is being spent and on what. My
in-laws have stopped talking to me since I have stopped signing the cheques."
I am not educated, so I do not know counts beyond Rs. 1000. But I have trust in my
in-laws, they can not misbehave with me as I sign the cheques for them". My own parents
are also not educated, I can not depend upon them either, where should I go?
Now I understand the need for education; if I had been educated, I would have led
an independent life. Now I want to read and write, so that I know what I am signing and
for what purpose the money is being spent.
I need somebody who can explain me my financial position to me so that I know
where I stand. I have got a lot of money but I do not understand much. I need some woman
counselor, with whom I can discuss financial matters.
If I go to my own parents, my brother will take away the money, so it is better
that I stay back with my in-laws; at least here I have my status in this village.
My in-laws are laughing at me, when I tell them that I want to be educated now.
They say "When your brother-in-law is there to look after you, where is the need to read
and write?" But I wish to be educated.
My in-laws are greedy, so are my parents, everybody is interested in my money. I
want to be educated so that I need not be dependent on any man, whether it is my
brother-in-law or my brother, father-in-law or my own father.
Serious concerns have been raised about the target beneficiary of the package and actual
beneficiaries as well as the security and status of widows and their families. While
predictions may be pessimistic, there is a serious possibility of this package providing
only marginal improvement to the lives of widows and not achieving what it aims.
Need for Education
Clearly, only education could have given these widows control over the funds and access
to the benefits as individuals. The comments listed above show that the women themselves
are aware of their vulnerability arising from lack of education.
Kargil war widows need to be given education at this stage through an adult education
program. Education of women plays a significant role in the process of awareness. Their
own education equips them, as perhaps nothing else does, to achieve a greater control over
their lives. However, it remains a long-term solution to their vulnerability and a firm
step towards greater self-reliance and confidence.
Support to war victims, especially war widows, is a major strategy to motivate soldiers to
fight fearlessly and to assure them that, in the event of death, there is a support system
for the next of kin. However, financial support or job support is only one aspect of
post-death adjustment. The need for proper management of financial support, emotional
support and resolution of family conflicts calls for a holistic strategy for
rehabilitation of family.
War widows, who were overlooked by family members earlier, (in both parental and marital
homes) after receiving financial assistance, have acquired a measure of importance and
clout based on possession of material assets. With increasingly felt desire to manage
funds, the 'dependency structure' on family members is likely to break down. However, our
society needs to plan for a role for widows that includes a decisive say in the decision
making process and government needs to support or even catalyse the change to ensure that
the goals of compensation packages are met and benefits accrue to the one they are meant
for.
Leena Parmar
Leena Parmar is an Associate Professor at L-1-B, University Campus,
Rajasthan University.
Money matters
Leena Parmar
researches the experiences of Kargil war widows in accessing and managing
the substantial financial packages from the government.
Manushi, Issue 138:
While widowhood is always a traumatic experience, if it includes financial perils and
social stigma, life could become unbearable. Wives of soldiers on active duty live in
perennial fear of disaster striking their lives and when it does it often seems that the
nation does not deem their sacrifice worthy of providing adequate financial compensation.
The experience of the Kargil war martyr families was different. This study assesses the
impact of the new financial package provided for the Kargil war widows.
Manushi, Issue 138,
February 2004
-
Women's Issues
-
Feedback:
Tell us what you think of this article
