Jaipur Resident Ganjanand Sharma had inadvertently crossed the Indo-Pak border in 1982. Gajanad’s family was unaware of the incident and had been in the dilemma about his existence for many years. Makhni Devi, the wife of Gajanand, had struggled for almost her entire prime period of life in a bid to bring up her son Mukesh. Makhni Devi and son Mukesh had been relentless in their search and even used to contact Indian prisoners released by Pakistan.
A few years back they started believing that Gajanand Sharma might have lost his existence. But four months ago the good news for Gajanand’s family came up along with his picture. Entire nation came to know that Jaipur resident Gajanad Sharma is in Pakistan and has been living in prison for 36 years.
A mission to bring him home was initiated by the Foreign Ministry. Ramcharan Bohara, MP from Jaipur and junior foreign minister Gen V K Singh (retd) were in the lead for this mission. The ministers verified Gajanand’s presence in Pakistan through diplomatic channels and ensured he was released ahead of Independence Day.
Even the BSF soldiers left teary eyed
Now Gajanand Sharma has come to his home on Monday, August 13, when he put his steps on his own land through Wagha border along with 29 other Indian prisoners. Gajanand was too tired to walk even few steps, he looked contemplating about ongoings. Even the BSF soldiers left teary-eyed after seeing him. Meanwhile, his family in their house at Amer road in Jaipur, received the news of his arrival through news channels and they couldn’t resist tearing with happiness.
Although Gajanand Sharma was sentenced with just 2 months of imprisonment in Pak for trespassing the border, but it took him whole 36 years to get consular access and acquire deportation. Meanwhile, he even suffered physical and psychological trauma as BSF doctors considered him unwell. But the freedom is ultimate.
Foreign Ministry of India has been actively working to resolve such issues. Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj has helped many Indians, who had stuck in other countries.
People appeal Swaraj through social media or any other medium and immediately get assurance from her side. Modi government’s Digital India vision is a success if it can make lives such easy and the foreign ministry is working vigorously in this direction. So, not even Gajanand Sharma but also many people who are facing such issues in abroad, are getting attention.
