Page 18 - Seniorstoday October 2021 Issue
P. 18
they would get some Taby silk sarees from
a family friend on credit to fill a suitcase,
along with some personal jewellery to sell
in Delhi to get cash if need be.
The next problem was getting to the
airport at that early hour. A tonga was
arranged to take the ladies to the airport.
The tonga with the two ladies, my husband
and his father left home at 4am because the
last two miles to the airstrip was a steep
climb. The tonga wallah and the two gents
had to push the tonga up the steep incline
which took about two hours, and after
arrival registered them to be put onto the
A snowclad view of Pratap Park from the Sahni home next flight. They had only the address of an
was no need to use a gun but nonetheless acquaintance in Delhi, but had no idea if the
such was the fear psychosis. ladies would be able to find and reach their
On October 27 airlifted Indian troops residence. One can imagine the desperation
started landing and people were somewhat they were in as literally they were left in the
relieved. But on the same day so called hands of God. On the thought that they may
Kabalis (tribals) led by Pakistani Army never meet again!! It was after about almost
officers invaded, entering Baramullah two weeks that a message came with some
ruthlessly indulged in loot, killings and people coming to Srinagar, of their welfare
destruction. and safe arrival. It was many months before
Seeing the uncertain conditions, it was they all met again.
decided by the family, that the ladies In 1956 Prem was married to Satpal
namely my mother and sister-in_ law, Sahni and a new chapter in her life began
should be sent out of Kashmir for the time in Srinagar (Kashmir). Her husband was
being. The planes which were bringing in a correspondent for The Times of India.
the troops were going back without much
load except some refugees who could
manage to reach the airport and flown to
Delhi. My husband, Sati, arranged with a
pilot to help out. His only stipulation was
that they should be at the airport at 0630
in the morning and get them registered.
However, there was a major problem as
there was not much cash available at home
since all banks had been closed for the last
10 days. We did not have any close relatives
living in Delhi, so were not sure where the
two unescorted ladies could go on arrival
in the big city. It was then decided that Downtown Srinagar
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