The moment a soldier gets posted at the border, his family gets shifted to the Separated Family (SF) Quarters where there's Army life all around but no Army men. This system has been going on ever since the Army was established. Chaudhary Vihar is one such SF Quarter. After the posting of her husband, Kusum enters the world of Chaudhary Vihar where like her, all around women are residing with their children. Houses there are allotted under a soldier's name, but no soldier can be found living in that house. Women residing in these houses have taken on the role of a 'single mother', fighting on many fronts singlehandedly while battling issues like loneliness, internalized casteism, mental illness and infidelity. 'Kitne Morche' is the first novel of its kind that explores the lives of Army wives.
Inspired by real life events, 'Kitne Morche' is a fictional account of women that are cut off from society while technically being a part of it. It presents the many struggles and joys of SF life, alongwith giving a rightful space to the sacrifices these women have made for the nation.
Vandana Yadav is a Hindi language writer, motivational speaker and social worker. She was born in Bikaner, Rajasthan and currently resides in New Delhi.
Alongwith novels like 'Kitne Morche' and 'Shuddhi', she has also written a travelogue on Sikkim, published 3 poetry collections, contributed in children's literature among many other literary pursuits. Urdu Dost Foundation translated her poetry collection titled 'Kaun Aaeyga' in 2010.
She has also published short stories like 'Curfew', 'Middle Man' and 'Sugli' in literary magazines and regularly writes for leading newspaper, Jansatta alongwith publications like Purwai, addressing issues ranging from women's rights and self improvement to mental health and preservation of heritage. Her short story 'Middle Man' was translated by her daughter and published in literary journal, Kitaab in February 2024.
If you are a literature lover, don't think twice before getting this book because I guarantee you'll love it. Everybody always talk about fauji men, and deservedly so, but this novel takes an intimate look at their families, especially wives, who sacrifice their identity so that their husbands can stand at the border. The novel tackles everything from loneliness, mental illness, infidelity, institutionalized casteism, single parenthood and so much more. Not only will you get to know about Army lives, but probably even find yourself in one of the characters. Give it a read!