Meet Makhani Devi whose heart-wrenching struggle to end today with hubbie Gajanand Sharma’s return from Pak Jail

Jaipur: Sixty-five-year-old Makhani Devi refused to accept the possibility that her husband who went missing 36 years ago had died. Her unwavering faith that she was yet not a widow has made a miracle come true. She will see her husband, Gajanand Sharma, probably on Tuesday as he will arrive in Jaipur after languishing in a Pak jail for 36 years.

While Gajanand had to suffer the ordeal of spending so many years in a prison, his wife’s struggles are also heart-wrenching. She had to take up odd jobs to feed her family and go hungry for days when they couldn’t buy food.

Makhani Devi wore jewellery for the first time on Monday as Gajanand Sharma entered India. Gajanand Sharma was taken to Delhi for some legal formalities. Makhani Devi is now waiting for him to arrive in Jaipur.

A large number of people including family members were waiting for them at the Wagah border in Punjab when Gajanand Sharma along with 29 other prisoners crossed the Indo Pak border and stepped into India on Monday. Gajanand’s mental and physical condition is not good. He was not able to walk properly.

In these 36 years, due to the sudden disappearance of husband Gajanand from Jaipur, the life of his wife Makhani Devi was a struggle.

She has to take care of children all by herself. The family spent many nights without food. Makhni Devi took up odd jobs to feed her family. For 36 years she did not wear any jewellery or makeup. Makhani Devi’s faith in God brought Gajanand back, the family members said. When Gajanand went missing at the age of 32, his two children were 12 and 13 years of age. Now, as he is back to India his grandchildren are waiting for him.

Gajanand Sharma, a resident of Fatehram Ka Teeba in Nahargarh area of Jaipur went missing three decades ago. The state home department received a request for the confirmation of his identity and Indian citizenship from Pak authorities.