Friday, October 30, 2009

Mail from Lt Gen SK Bahri (retd)

From: Satish Kumar Bahri skbahri1@yahoo.com

Sent: Fri, 30 October, 2009 4:57:11 PM

Subject: Joint Letter to The PM

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen,

I have received numerous mails from you all appreciating the joint effort put in by all the signatory ESM Orgs in drafting the letter ( it was not a single person's effort!) and importantly,being willing to sign it. I regret to say that even though I tried my best to get the Air Force Assn on board with personal calls, mails & SMS's, there was no response. I would like to place on record Brig Gulia's help, despite our differences on many occasions, as he played a major part in this joint effort. It was his initiative to call all orgs for a meeting to discuss the Cab Secs report on 6 Aug 09. It was IESL which provided staff support for printing the letters, repeatedly till we got it right.Some suggestions have come to tweak the letter further. Regret they can only be incl in the next letter, if any.

I can also report that the letter has reached the COAS and it has been passed down for action.Thanks to Air Cmde Chandershekhar, who was here from Bangalore, we have got a copy of the letter delivered to the RM by hand. Interestingly it had not been put up him over the last15 days. We are also exploring ways to see that a copy reaches the PM,Leader of the Opposition and other MPs.

After lapse of say 5 weeks we will go to the press.

Ways of financing the ads are being considered.


Satish
Lt Gen SK Bahri (Retd) (1st JSW Course)
E 403 Som Vihar Apts, RK Puram
New Delhi 110022 - India

Mail from Lt Gen SK Bahri (retd)

From: Satish Kumar Bahri skbahri1@yahoo.com

Sent: Fri, 30 October, 2009 4:57:11 PM

Subject: Joint Letter to The PM

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen,

I have received numerous mails from you all appreciating the joint effort put in by all the signatory ESM Orgs in drafting the letter ( it was not a single person's effort!) and importantly,being willing to sign it. I regret to say that even though I tried my best to get the Air Force Assn on board with personal calls, mails & SMS's, there was no response. I would like to place on record Brig Gulia's help, despite our differences on many occasions, as he played a major part in this joint effort. It was his initiative to call all orgs for a meeting to discuss the Cab Secs report on 6 Aug 09. It was IESL which provided staff support for printing the letters, repeatedly till we got it right.Some suggestions have come to tweak the letter further. Regret they can only be incl in the next letter, if any.

I can also report that the letter has reached the COAS and it has been passed down for action.Thanks to Air Cmde Chandershekhar, who was here from Bangalore, we have got a copy of the letter delivered to the RM by hand. Interestingly it had not been put up him over the last15 days. We are also exploring ways to see that a copy reaches the PM,Leader of the Opposition and other MPs.

After lapse of say 5 weeks we will go to the press.

Ways of financing the ads are being considered.


Satish
Lt Gen SK Bahri (Retd) (1st JSW Course)
E 403 Som Vihar Apts, RK Puram
New Delhi 110022 - India

Mails to President / PM RM etc by Warrant Officer Balathilakan

Dear Friends,
Jai Hind.

Some important letters written by a very able Warrant Officer to various dignitaries are reproduced below.

These letters should be a good inspiration for our military writers, who frequently write articles for newspapers, magazines and web-magazines.
May I request all of you, who are gifted with the power of pen, to get on to writing articles in the media and arrange interviews on TV on these lines.

Maj Gen RN Radhakrishnan, Veteran has written a very nice paper analysing the “Report by Committee of Secretaries”, which you all must have studied. You should kindly take cue from that paper and the letters reproduced below, and educated the media and the public as to how dust has been thrown in the eyes of the political leaders by the committee report and wrong decisions obtained against the ex-servicemen.

Those of you, who have not studied the paper by Gen Radhakrishnan, must read it. Please write to him obtain a soft copy (Email ID - rnrkrish@yahoo.com ).

All the ESM organisations are doing their utmost and playing their part very well. It is time for our military authors to take the field now.
Please launch the mission and help all the Indian ESM (and yourselves) and wake up our nation as to how deliberate injustice is being done to the Indian Defence Veterans.

Before concluding, on behalf of YOU ALL, ‘i’ wish to thank Lt Kameshwar Pandey for sending these letters to us and we congratulate Warrant Officer Balathilakan for so well written letters.
Keep it up Balathilakan. We all are proud of you.

For Lt Kameshwar Pandey Only – Kindly send me the email ID of Warrant Officer Balathilakan. Thank you.

In Service of Indian Military Veterans
Chander Kamboj.
------------

From: Kameshwar Pandey [mailto:pandeykameshwar@gmail.com]

Sent: 29 October 2009 16:54
To: Kamboj Chander
Cc: raj kadyan; prbalathilakan@gmail.com; R P Sharma; Sukhamay Biswas
Subject: LETTERS WRITTEN TO PRESIDENT, PRIME MINISTER, FINANCE MINISTER, DEFENCE MINISTER AND OTHER DIGNITARIES


Dear Kamboj Sir,

The letters written to the President, Prime Minister, Finance Minister, Defence Minister, Cabinet Secretary, Defence Secretary, Secretary Dept. of Ex-Servicemen Welfare and Director of Pension during the month of October, 2009 by Warrant Officer P.R. Balathilakan (Retd.)
are enclosed as attachment for information of all Ex-Servicemen in the country.

The progress thereof is also being monitored on day to day basis by him.

With regards

Yours truly,
Kameshwar
--
Kameshwar Pandey
Sub/Maj Hony. Lt. (Veteran)

230, Pocket-1,
DDA SFS Flats, Sector-1,
Dwarka, New Delhi - 110 075
.....

FOR INFORMATION OF ALL CONCERNED:

The following actions with regards to submission of letters, memoranda and presentations to various High Dignitaries have been initiated by Warrant Officer P.R. Balathilakan (Retd.) with his vigorous efforts. He has very good rapport while dealing with the subject of ONE RANK ONE PENSION with many High Dignitaries such as all M.Ps. from Kerala, present and past Chief Ministers of Kerala, all Central Ministers from Kerala including Shri A.K. Antony, Defence Ministers, Private Secretaries of the Hon’ble the President of India and Bureaucrats accessible to him in various Ministries on the above subject.
-------------

To,
The Hon’ble the President of India
Rashtrapati Bhavan
New Delhi


Sub : ONE RANK ONE PENSION : EX-SERVICEMEN


Hon’ble Madam,

I on behalf of all Ex-Servicemen salute your Excellency for announcing the grant of ONE RANK ONE PENSION in your opening remarks of parliament session on 4th June, 2009. Your Excellency while addressing both houses of Parliament on 4th June, 2009 was pleased to announce that Government has appointed a High Level Committee under the Chairmanship of Cabinet Secretary and the Committee expected to deliver its recommendations by end of June, 2009. It was nice to know that the government had announced implementation of Committee’s recommendations with regards to ONE RANK ONE PENSION in the budget speech. Even Hon’ble Prime Minister while unfurling National Flag and addressing the Nation on the eve of 62n Independence Day on 15th August, 2009 had announced that we must protect the interest of our Defence Forces. On this occasion, he also announced that the Government had implemented ONE RANK ONE PENSION for the past Ex-Servicemen pensions.

The recommendations report which was submitted to the Government by the Cabinet Secretary does not contains much improvement in the pension of all pre-2006 pensioners and your assurance on the subject of ONE RANK ONE PENSION has totally diluted. Further, there is no concrete information as to how much pension have been sanctioned to all pre-2006 Ex-servicemen to make their pension equal to ONE RANK ONE PENSION. We have consulted/contacted concerned Departments of Ministry defence, but nobody is interested to supply this information. Therefore, it is apprehend that there may be very less improvement in pension.

It is submitted for your Excellency information that your directions with regards to grant of ONE RANK ONE PENSION has been negated by our bureaucrat brothers who are actually implementing the Govt. decision. We have no grievances against our Prime Minister, Defence Minister on this aspect, but it appears that the directions of our Prime Minister or Defence Minister that one rank one pension has been granted are not being implemented by the bureaucrats at Ministry of Defence

It is for your further information that the Ex-servicemen communities are very unhappy with this development as they have been deprived of their legitimate due since long and the recent announcement of the Govt. has betrayed them as the announcement is totally differ from the implementation. It is further submitted that 60% of the present strength of soldiers in Indian Armed Forces belong to the kith and kin of Ex-servicemen and are aware of their plight of their elders. This may create more dissatisfaction as today’s servicemen is tomorrow’s Ex-servicemen. So we request your Excellency to use your supreme power and impress upon the Govt. to grant ONE RANK OEN PENSION to Indian Armed Forces for the betterment of the country.

In view of the above, Your Excellency may personally intervene and solve this problem as the Ex-servicemen communities are restless about this tardy attitude of the staff at Ministry of Defence for not implementing your direction.

A copy of our suggestions with regards to the Cabinet Secretary’s Recommendations is also enclosed for your kind perusal and further directions.

Thanking you,

Yours faithfully,


(P.R. Balathilakan)
Co-ordinator IESM.
07/10/2009
---------------


To,
Shri Manmohan Singh,
Hon’ble the Prime Minister
South Block
New Delhi

Sub : PARITY IN PENSION : BETWEEN PRE AND POST – 1.1.2006 EX-SERVICEMEN PENSIONERS


Sir,

I on behalf of millions of Ex-Servicemen salute you. It was quite encouraging when with your blessing Hon’ble Finance Minister announced in a maiden Budget speech on 6th July, 2009 that UPA Government has considered grant of ONE RANK ONE PENSION to Ex-Servicemen and finally the same has been granted. This legitimate demand was pending quite some years and finally it was your Government who actually took a bold step to fulfil the same. Your Highness also during Your address from Red Fort on 15th august, 2009 had categorically announced that Government will strive hard to uphold the dignity of all Ex-Servicemen and will endeavor to look after their welfare for their sacrifice rendered to safeguard the safety, unity and integrity of the Nation. On that occasion, Your Highness also presented to the countrymen that the UPA Government has granted the long pending demand of Ex-Servicemen i.e. ONE RANK ONE PENSION in toto.

Further, on various forums, Hon’ble the defence Minister had stressed that though it may not be feasible to grant ONE RANK ONE PENRISON but Government will definitely solve it and will improvement the pension of pre-2006 Ex-Servicemen which will be very close to ONE RANK ONE PENSION.

I want to draw your kind attention that the above quotation of Your Highness, specifically Your Honor’s announcement from the red Fort on 15th August, 2009 made Ex-Servicemen communities and their families to feel more excitement about grant of ONE RANK ONE PENSION. It is only your Government who had/have looked after our defence forces in a befitting manner.

I would like to submit here that though our Leaderships are quite affirmative about grant of ONE RANK ONE PENSION, but the real picture has been totally diluted by our Bureaucrat Brothers after putting so many words such as “if, not, but, how where, why” etc. etc. in the Recommendations submitted by Hon’ble Cabinet Secretary, thereby jeopardizing the very purpose of your announcement. This had led to only partial improvement in pension and not in its full form.

Sir, we are not at all demanding more pension for us, but are only requesting Your Honour to bring parity in pension between all Ex-Servicemen retired before 1.1.2006 with the pension of Ex-Servicemen retired/retiring after 1.1.2006 within the hierarchy of their respective ranks and years of service put up in the defence forces.

Sir, lastly I solicit and request Your Hour’s to impress upon our civilian brothers who are in-charge of enforcing the promises made by Your Honor to 23 Lakhs Ex-Servicemen for grant of ONE RANK ONE PENSION to implement the same in its full form. Please keep your promise, Sir.

Thanking you,

Yours faithfully,


(P.R. Balathilakan)
Co-ordinator IESM
09/10/2009
---------------


To,
Shri Pranab Mukherjee,
Hon’ble the Finance Minister
Government of India
North Block
New Delhi

Sub : PARITY IN PENSION : BETWEEN PRE AND POST – 1.1.2006 EX-SERVICEMEN PENSIONERS


Sir,

I on behalf of millions of Ex-Servicemen salute you. It was quite encouraging when with your Honour had announced alongwith your maiden Budget speech on 6th July, 2009 that UPA Government has considered grant of ONE RANK ONE PENSION to Ex-Servicemen and finally the same has been granted. This legitimate demand was pending quite some years and finally it was your Government who actually took a bold step to fulfil the same. Hon’le Prime Minister also during his address from Red Fort on 15th August, 2009 had categorically announced that Government will strive hard to uphold the dignity of all Ex-Servicemen and will endeavor to look after their welfare for their sacrifice rendered to safeguard the safety, unity and integrity of the Nation. On that occasion, he also presented to the countrymen that the UPA Government has granted the long pending demand of Ex-Servicemen i.e. ONE RANK ONE PENSION in toto.

Further, on various forums, Hon’ble the defence Minister had stressed that though it may not be feasible to grant ONE RANK ONE PENRISON but Government will definitely solve it and will improvement the pension of pre-2006 Ex-Servicemen which will be very close to ONE RANK ONE PENSION.

I want to draw your kind attention that the above quotation of Your Highness, specifically Your Honor’s announcement on the floor of Parliament on 6th July, 2009 made Ex-Servicemen communities and their families to feel more excitement about grant of ONE RANK ONE PENSION. It is only your Government who had/have looked after our defence forces in a befitting manner.

I would like to submit here that though our Leaderships are quite affirmative about grant of ONE RANK ONE PENSION, but the real picture has been totally diluted by our Bureaucrat Brothers after putting so many words such as “if, not, but, how where, why” etc. etc. in the Recommendations submitted by Hon’ble Cabinet Secretary, thereby jeopardizing the very purpose of your announcement. This had led to only partial improvement in pension and not in its full form.

Sir, we are not at all demanding more pension for us, but are only requesting Your Honour to bring parity in pension between all Ex-Servicemen retired before 1.1.2006 with the pension of Ex-Servicemen retired/retiring after 1.1.2006 within the hierarchy of their respective ranks and years of service put up in the defence forces.

Sir, lastly I solicit and request Your Hour’s to impress upon our civilian brothers who are in-charge of enforcing the promises made by our Hon’ble Prime Minister, Your Honor and Hon’ble Defence Minister to 23 Lakhs Ex-Servicemen for grant of ONE RANK ONE PENSION to implement the same in its full form. Please keep your promise, Sir.

Thanking you,

Yours faithfully,


(P.R. Balathilakan)
Co-ordinator IESM
09/10/2009
---------------



To,
Shri Rahul Gandhi,
Hon’ble the General Secretary
A.I.C.C.
New Delhi

Sub : PARITY IN PENSION : BETWEEN PRE AND POST – 1.1.2006 EX-SERVICEMEN PENSIONERS


Sir,

At the outset we all Ex-Servicemen salute and congratulate you and your party’s magnificent victory in the General Election and thereafter, in the recent concluded Legislative Assembly Election. It is indeed a great pleasure for the Ex-Servicemen community to support your party and indebted for the announcement of implementation of ONE RANK ONE PENSION to us.


Sir, we would like to draw your kind attention towards your announcement during the various election rallies in Uttaranchal that if, UPA returns to power, will make the provision of ONE RANK ONE PERNSION for the Ex-Servicemen. A copyof such election rally with Hon’ble Mr. Harish Rawatji is enclosed for your ready reference and perusal, please. Sir, please do not forget your promise made to millions of Ex-Servicemen and you should stand by it. In addition to this, Her Excellency, the President of India on 4th June, 2009 had categorically announced that the Government will be definitely grant ONE RANK ONE PEJSION. Fruther, this was later ratified by Hon’ble the Finance Minister in his Budget speech. On 15th August, 2009 Hon’ble the prime Minister addressed that Government will strive hard to uphold the dignity of all Ex-Servicemen and will endeavor to look after their welfare for their sacrifice rendered to safeguard the safety, unity and integrity of the Nation. On that occasion, he also presented to the countrymen that the UPA Government has granted the long pending demand of Ex-Servicemen i.e. ONE RANK ONE PENSION in toto.

Further, on various forums, Hon’ble the defence Minister had stressed that though it may not be feasible to grant ONE RANK ONE PENRISON but Government will definitely solve it and will improvement the pension of pre-2006 Ex-Servicemen which will be very close to ONE RANK ONE PENSION.

Sir, I want to draw your kind attention that the above porimise/assurance of Hon’ble the President, the Prime Minister, the Finance Minister, the Defence Misters at different forum, specifically Your Honours announcement at various Election Rallies in Uttaranchal made the Ex-Servicemen communities and their families to feel more excitement about grant of ONE RANK ONE PENSION. It is only your Government who had/have looked after our defence forces in a befitting manner.

I would like to submit here that though our Leaderships are quite affirmative about grant of ONE RANK ONE PENSION, but our Bureaucrat Brothers are putting avoidable obstructions such as legal, administrative and financial etc. etc. before the Hon’ble Minister. Sir, all citizens are liable to lay their life for the sake of Nation’s integrity, but practically, it is only Defence Forces who are dying every day for the sake of country’s safety and security. So in that scenario, compensating their past contribution with ONE RANK ONE PENSION, the obstructions of legal, administrative or financial constraints should not come into picture.


Sir, we are not at all demanding more pension for us, but are only requesting Your Honour to bring parity in pension between all Ex-Servicemen retired before 1.1.2006 with the pension of Ex-Servicemen retired/retiring after 1.1.2006 within the hierarchy of their respective ranks and years of service put up in the defence forces.

Sir, lastly I solicit and request Your Hour’s to utilize your gesture to fulfil the promises made by our Hon’ble the Prime Minister, Hon’ble the Finance Minister, Hon’ble the Defence Minister and Your Honour to 23 Lakhs Ex-Servicemen for grant of ONE RANK ONE PENSION. Please keep your promise, Sir.

Thanking you,

Yours faithfully,


(P.R. Balathilakan)
Co-ordinator IESM
28/10/2009
--------------



To,
Hon’ble the President of India
Hon’ble the Prime Minister
Hon’ble the Finance Minister
Hon’ble the Defence Minister
The Cabinet Secretary
The Defence Secretary
Secretary, Dept. of Ex-Servicemen Welfare Section, MOD
Shri Habans Singh, Director (Pension), Sena Bhavan


Sub : PARITY IN PENSION : BETWEEN PRE AND POST – 1.1.2006 EX-SERVICEMEN PENSIONERS


Sir,

We are quite grateful to Hon’ble the Cabinet secretary for sparing his valuable times to meet our delegation on 11th June, 2009 with regard to appraising His Highness about the grievances to Ex-Servicemen about grant of ONE RANK ONE PENSION. Hon’ble Cabinet Secretary was quite affirmative and had assured that the interest of all Ex-Servicemen especially pre-2006 will be taken care while recommending the issue of ONE RANK ONE PENSION. However, it is quite disheartening to learn from the recommendation dated 30th June, 2009 that there is no much significant improvement in the pension of pre-2006 Ex-Servicemen pensioners, while comparing with the pension of post-1.1.2006 pensioners. This scenario will further aggravate, once pension @ 70% of pay last drawn is sanctioned to post-1.1.2006 PBOR pensioners.

It is pertinent to mention here that the Recommendations are fully grasp by the inability to grant OROP due to administrative and legal hurdles. The Ex-Servicemen and Service personnel of Armed Forces have put up their best ability for the safety and security of the Nation. Their services may not be compared with the civilian while considering the issue of OROP. The contention that OROP, if granted will invite similar demands from the quarters is totally untenable. It has been our experience and knowledge that our civilian brothers have no complaint or wrath about extra benefits/privileges extended to Defence forces for their multiple roles and voluminous assignments. So the Committee’s findings on this account are not justifiable.

We have some suggestions about the recommendations which may kindly look into and ONE RANK ONE PENSION if not feasible, the following may be considered favourably:

Relevant para No. in the Report Committee’s Observations/ Recommendations Our suggestions
2.5 (i) In the case of Commissioned Officers, total parity may be brought between pre-1.1.2986 and post- 1.1.1986 retires by notional fixation of pay in the post-1.1.1986 scales and the notional revised pension be worked out on the basis of this pay. Thereafter, for all pre-1.1.1996 retirees the fitments formula suggested for past civilian pensioners i.e. Basic Pension+ Dearness relief + Interim Relief + Interim relief 1 (Rs. 50) +Interim Relief 2 (10% of Basic Pension)+ 20% (revised by Govt. to 40%) of Basic Pension, may be applied. If the resultant figure falls short of the minimum pension application to the post-1.1.1996 retirees for the rank held, it may be stepped up to the minimum pension prescribed for the rank. As was done to bring parity of pension between pre-1.1.1986 and post-1.1.1986 retirees and where the pension figure of pre-1.1.1996 fall short of the minimum pension applicable to the post-1.1.1996 for the rank held, the pension f pre-1.1.1996 retirees was stepped upto the minimum pension prescribed for the rank.

We now request that the same formula may be applied for pre-1.1.2006 pensioners and their pension may be stepped up and brought at par with the pension of post- 1.1.2006 retirees.
2.5 (ii) In the case of PBORs, the need for notional fixation of pay does not exist in view of the existence of pension tables. Therefore, for PBOR all pre-1.1.1986 pensioners may be brought on to post – 1.1.1986 levels by bridging the present gap in the pension tables and the same fitment formula on pension as for offices may be applied. If the resultant figure falls short of the minimum pension for the rank and group for post – 1.1.1996 retiree, it may be upgraded to that level. In the case of PBOR, similar formula as envisaged for pre- 1.1.1986 PBOR pensioners may be applied to and the pension of pre-1.1.2006 PBOR pensioners of each rank and group may be stepped up and brought at par with the pension of post – 1.1.2006 PBOR pensioners belonging to respective rank and group.
2.9 Finally, the GOM unanimously recommended that the pension of pre-1.1.1996 PBOR retirees may be revised with reference to maximum of post -1.1.1996 pay scales. In additional, the weightage of Sepoy, Naik and Havaldar rank for past as well as future retirees be increased to 10, 8 and 6 years respectively subject to a maximum of qualifying service of 30 years. The benefit was given only for service pension. The benefit of the above recommendation took effect from 1.1.2006. Since after implementation of 6th CPC, the fixation of pension of PBOR with reference to maximum of pay scales in the respective ranks has been dispensed with, the formula of stepping up of pension of pre-1.1.2006 PBOR may be adopted to and their pension may be brought at par with the pension of post- 1.1.2006 PBOR pensioners. As a result of which the weightage has no relevance and may be scrapped.
5.2 (a) To Reckon the pension of all pre-1.1.2006 PBOR pensioners wit reference to a notional maximum in the post 1.1.2006 revised pay structure corresponding to the maximum of pre-sixth pay commission pay scales as per fitment table of each rank. These stop gap recommendations of the Committee will still not be sufficient to bridge gap of pension between pre and post 1.1.2006 pensioners. The disparity will be further complicated, once 70% last pay drawn given as pension to post – 1.1.2006 pensioners. Hence, our suggestion with reference to Committee’s presentation vides Para Nos. 2.5 (i) and 2.5 (ii) may please be implemented.
8 (iii) This dispensation xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx. Since this is a new concession aimed at improving the pension of PBORs, the benefit will be given prospectively and no arrears are to be given It is submitted that the benefits ought to have been sanctioned retrospectively from 1.1.2006, on implementation of 6th CPC Recommendations. Though the same was not considered by 6th CPC and the Govt. has taken a belated action after 3 ½ years with no fault of ex-Servicemen community, should have considered the case alongwith other matters at the time of accepting and implementing the 6th CPC Reports during August, 2008. There are evidence that the Govt. had altered/ enhanced/ modified/ introduced several benefits to the beneficiaries which were not recommended by 6th CPC and had effected the benefits which may be entitled to the PBORs with the improvement of pension may be sanctioned from 1.1.2006 and not from 1.7.2009.



Since, the Committee in its reports has rightly summarized the past precedence of stepping up of pension formula for pre- 1.1.1986 and pre-1.1.1996 pensioners by which their pensions were brought at par with the post – 1.1.1986 and post – 1.1.1996 pensioners, we now request and solicit your honour to kindly extend the same formula for the present and the pension of pre-1.1.2006 pensioners may be stepped up and brought at par with post – 1.1.2006 Ex-Servicemen pensioners.

Sir, before concluding our submission, I would like to appreciate the statement of Mr. Harbans Singh, Director, Pension, Ministry of Defence that the Government has made significant improvements in the Pay and Allowances of Defence personnel in the 6th CPC. We agree with his remarks that tremendous improvements have been given to serving Defence personnel and retired Ex-Servicemen retired on or after 1.1.2006. But he has no answer about the tremendous improvement given for pre-1.1.2006 Ex-Soldiers who in their service period were fighting the enemies in 1962, 1965, 1971, 1988 (IPKF), 1999 (Kargil War) etc. etc. and have to fight now for their survival. The significant improvements should have been equally extended and covered all and not a particular group. Please look into these aspects carefully and seriously to find an amicable solution.

In view of the above, we request to the concerned authorities to be more sympathetic and consider the suggestions and given the legitimate dues to the pre-1.1.2006 Ex-Servicemen Pensioners.

Thanking you,

Yours faithfully,


(P.R. Balathilakan)
Co-ordinator IESM
07/10/2009

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Shed your ego....By Maj Bhupal Singh / Brig kamboj

Dear Friends,
Jai Hind.

It is time for all ESM and ESM organisations of India to raise a ‘white flag’.

Only if all ESM Organisations and all ESM of India, stand shoulder to shoulder - we can obtain

Justice for Defence Services.

Enough is enough.

Let us read the email below from Maj Bhupal Singh from Australia and act on it.
We cannot resolve differences among us by using rude language and shouting at each other from miles away.

Sit accross a table, with a cool mind and resolve issues. Majority of the ESM feel it is very much feasible.

Shed ago in the interest of all ESM.
Do not wait for the other party to call you on phone – you call and request for a meeting; forgive and forget.

(Also, some of the ESM which are equally respected by all other ESM, should kindly intervene and attempt to bring in reconciliation among all. Please do not wait for an invitation. It is already late.)

None of us as an individual is important.

Only one thing is important for all ESM of India –

Justice for Defence Services.

In Service of Indian Military Veterans
Chander Kamboj.
------------

From: bhupal singh bsec234@hotmail.com
To: Kamboj Chander kamboj_cs@yahoo.co.in
Cc: naseemakeel@hotmail.com; mkkhera@yahoo.com;
Col Swarup Viru colonelviruswarup@gmail.com
Sent: Thu, 29 October, 2009 8:08:33 AM
Subject: RE: SOME OF THE EMAILS RECEIVED FROM MEMBERS - "REPORT MY SIGNAL" - REPORT MY SIGNAL - EMAIL 741/2009 - 28 OCT 09 (A to G)

Dear All,

I appreciate the sound, logical and mature views expressed by Veterans Veru Swarup, Akeel Shaikh & Mahesh Khera. Let us bury the hatchet and forget & forgive and lead on with our Movement, which has been groomed with colossal efforts by the Core Group. I do not wish to eulogise any one in particular. However, I will be failing, if I do not make a mention of the "RMS" blog ably managed by Brig Kamboj & Col Kanag Raj with great aplomb, which effectively brought all of us ESM to-gether and thus revived the ESM Movement in it new avatar as IESM and without which we could not have done whatever little we have achieved so far. Suffice it to say that we should call it a day for in-house battle and fight out with our adversaries. Inspite of our best efforts since last 3 decades, OROP has remained elusive. So, let us make it a success by joining hands. No single entity can achieve our aim. Perforce, we all (all ESM orgs of Army, Navy & AF, big or small) have to act in unison only then we can hope to win our War.

2. Kindly ponder over the views of learned Veterans Shaikh, Swarup & mk khera and help the
Steering Committe to lead us as hither-to-fore. I am certain that they will not fail us, notwithsatnding Force Majeure .

With warm regards to all,

Bhupal Singh, Veteran

Australia

On Letter to PM...Views by Col MMp Kala / Maj Gen Surjit Singh / Lt Col IS Gill

Dear Brigadier Kamboj,

Thanks for the information.

I would like to say that the concept of OROP needs a wee bit modification. The Armed Forces do a great harm to the retirees by upgrading their rank structure e.g. a company, which was commanded by a major, is now being commanded by a Lt Col. While the serving officers may feel elated, see the plight of the old majors who, having put in over 26 years of service, are now being given pension equal to that of a platoon commander (Now Majs). In the revised scheme of things, no one remains major on putting in 14 years of service, and save for those who die in service, no one would be retiring as a major (SL commission officers included). My own battalion lost a number of majors in 1965 and 71 wars; why should their widows get the pension due to deceased platoon commanders as today?

I feel that there is a case for modifying the concept of OROP which should include equal pension for equal work; after all this is the principle being applied all over in the civil.

There is also a case for requesting the Three Chiefs not to upgrade the ranks arbitrarily as it hits the pensioners badly; they should have simply got the Majors in PB4 and saved the older lot, a lot of discomfort.
With best Regards,
Col MMP Kala, Retd


Dear Brig Kamboj,
This letter (click me) so painstakingly drafted by the indomitable Gen Bahri is, without doubt, the best paper produced by the veterans so far. It is simple, cogent and in fact compelling. I think the rest of us should simply stick to the logic of this communication, without complicating it with any more figures and tables. Perhaps one single example which reveals the imbalance of the current dispensation is in the following relativity:

"A Col (TS) with 26 years service who may have commanded no more than a company has been granted a pension which is just Rs 100 less than a Brigade Commander who had put in 36 years service."

Legal eagles tell me that we have a weak case, in the court of law. But I think that the present dispensation fouls with "natural justice" and I think we will be able to find a competent lawyer who will be able to take on the might of legal cell of the Govt of India.

We also need to continuously remind the serving generals to keep knocking at the doors of those who have the power to act.

The Pay Cell has all but wound up. Before leaving their office, they sent me some tables which I am attaching, for what they are worth.
(Note: The tables mentioned here require some processing before these can be mass emailed. Will be forwarded to all members soon – Chander Kamboj)
With best wishes,
Surjit
Maj Gen Surjit Singh, EME, Veteran, Member IESM Steering Committee

Dear All,
Thanks for circulating the JOINT LETTER, which is very well written. Hopefully it should bring results.

I had read in the blog of Maj Navdeep about 'disparity' in compensation given to a CADET and RECRUIT, when they are boarded out- while undergoing training. There would be some more such issues, which though do not form part of OROP yet have a great bearing on those unfortunate ones, who are affected.

Does our community of ESMs like to bring out such cases to the notice of people, who are still in uniform? These issues, once noticed by our friends in UNIFORM, should form part of normal 'CORRECTIVE DRILL'. At least we should be able to set our own house in order.
Warm regards,
Lt Col Inderjit Singh Gill, Veteran

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Infantry, the Queen of the Battle by Col SS Rajan

Infantry, the Queen of the Battle.


27th October is celebrated as the Infantry Day, as it was on this day in 1947 that the first Indian Soldiers (1st Battalion of the SIKH Regiment) landed at Srinagar to defend the Country against the onslaught of Pakistan backed raiders.
This was the beginning of a new era of Valour and Sacrifice for the Indian Infantry.
On the occasion of Infantry Day, I, IC-15090 Colonel SS Rajan, son of IC-3398 Major MD Sambasivan, a Garhwali- The Bravest of the Brave, salute THE INFANTRYMAN for his Courage, Bravery, Gallantry and above all his fierce Patriotism & undying Spirit of Sacrifice.

Complaint against RMS by Lt col SS Sohi..Right/Wrong..??

Dear Friends,
Jai Hind.
An email from Lt Col SS Sohi, complaining against “Report My Signal” is reproduced below.

It is once again clarified that “Report My Signal” belongs to YOU ALL; it belongs to all ESM, of All Ranks of All Three Services and ESM organisation of Indian Armed Forces, spread all over the world.

It does not belong to “IESM” only.
“IESM” DOES NOT CONTROL “Report My Signal”.
It is decision of “Report My Signal” to publish or not to publish an email received from IESM.
The emailing list of “Report My Signal” is independent of the fact whether an ESM is a member of IESM or not.

Currently, the following type of emails are circulated on “Report MY Signal” –


· Emails related to current All India Movement for Justice to Defence Services.
· Emails pertaining to ECHS and other welfare measures about the Indian ESM.
· Any other email considered suitable in the interest of ESM, including good articles of interest.
· Emails trying to help to unite the ESM and advising the misguided individuals.

The following type of emails are not circulated –


· Emails aiming to create a divide among the ESM.
· Emails carrying accusations against individual ESM or ESM organisations.
· Emails conveying Self-Glory, with high ‘I’ and ‘J’ factors

A Brief History of “Report My Signal”

"REPORT MY SIGNAL" was started simply as a collection of email IDs and email-network, of retired Signals officers, spread all over the word.

‘i’ started it in mid 90s, with just a few email IDs of retired Signals officers from Delhi and Chandigarh. Today we have over 600 retired Signals officers, JCOs, NCOs and ORs, spread all over the world. The number is growing.

These Signals officers, found the emails being sent to them very informative and useful for retired Defence Officers and other Defence personnel.

The Signals officers in turn started forwarding "REPORT MY SIGNAL" emails to other retired officers, including retired officers of Navy and Air Force. Requests then started coming in from many retired officers from all three Services to include their names in the direct emailing list. Now besides over 600 retired Signals officers, we have over 700 officers, JCOs, NCOs and ORs. from Army, Navy and Air Force, from all over the world, on the direct emailing list of "REPORT MY SIGNAL". (Between 20 Oct and 25 Oct alone, 67 requests have been received for including their email IDs)

The sources of information are all the members on the emailing list of "REPORT MY SIGNAL", of All Ranks and from all three Services.

‘i’ scrutinise the emails received and at my discretion, after some editing, forward the contents, to all on the emailing list.

Information pertaining to domestic matters of the Corps of Signals is forwarded to Signals Veterans only. Rest of the information is shared with all Veterans.

In addition to individual Veterans, we have many organisations of retired Defence officers on our emailing list. We would like this list also to grow further so that the retired Defence personnel become a 'FORCE TO RECKON'. All these organisations have further large number of members on their own forward emailing lists. Therefore, the distribution of “Report My Signal” emails is increasing exponentially.

While the initial email of “Report My Signal” is addressed to around 1400 (plus) members, in next 24 hours or so, it reaches another 14,000 or more veterans (a rough estimate).

YOUR KIND JUDGEMENT REQUESTED

Is it fair for Lt Col SS Sohi and his supporters, who are trying to create a divide among the ESM of India, to make accusations against “Report My Signal”?

Your judgement be kindly conveyed to Lt Col SS Sohi on his email ID –

sadhusohi@gmail.com

Thank you Friends.

We all need to stand shoulder to shoulder and ruthlessly eliminate the divisive forces among the ESM.
They must be made to realise that for their personal gains how serious a damage they are causing to the All India ESM movement for

JUSTICE FOR DEFENCE SERVICES.


In Service of Indian Military Veterans
Chander Kamboj.
------------

From: ss sohi [mailto:sadhusohi@gmail.com]

Sent: 27 October 2009 10:41
To: Kamboj Chander
Cc: colcharanjit1403; iaf_jagdip; baldev dhillon; Lt Col Inderjit singh gill; Rakesh Prasad Chaturvedi; Vinod Gandhi


Subject: Re: SOME OF THE EMAILS RECEIVED FROM MEMBERS - REPORT MY SIGNAL - EMAIL 734/2009 - 26 OCT 09 (H to Z)

Dear Friends/ Sirs,
1. Report my signal is being misused by IESM HQ for their publicty only and shoot down IESM Pb. They always publish one sided stories, like of Col Viru Swarup & others (Hav so & so....). Its not misuse only but collective & Org cheating as well.

2. Even media people have norms, rules & code of conduct, to seek views of both sides/ parties. They have no guts to convey their hollow views but always fire shots through bogy/ others. They have no moral right to continue like this & must be brought under check.

3. Col Viru does not know Mohali Bde (credentials/ achievements) & passing his views/ preachings as one of the elder & wise person, which we appre. Every possible advise & method have been used to accuse us/ throw out and not to keep unity & harmony. We take collective decisions as Gp & not Indls. Which IESM HQ under estimated us grossely, hence we all are at no return pt just because of one man show.

4.There are lot of basic differences, like NDA & UPA cannot be same. Their aim was to collect money & sit on it and not the ESM welfare being new.

5. Medals depositing action is sp at this stage by Gen Satbir & Co and not by any body else in the whole country. All NCR & other places NGOs opposed it. Your idea col Viru sir, is sp Gen Satbir & nothing else. Many segments of society are adversly commenting on it, we are in touch with many & with Delhi too. My time is also as valuable as of Brig Kamboj, in handling unwanted Emails. Hope, you will kindly understand it. We will seek your advise if time comes, please.
Regards. Col Sohi. 9815107744.
---------------
THE END

Get Well Messages by Lt Gen Vohra / Col BM Thapa / Wg Cdr Shashank Bendre/Brig SS Jaswal

From: R.M. VOHRA vohra.rm@gmail.com
To: kamboj_cs@yahoo.co.in
Sent: Mon, 26 October, 2009 7:06:03 PM
Subject:

VERY SORRY TO LEARN ABOUT MAJ GUPTA. WE PRAY FOR HIS SPEEDY & FULL RECOVERY. GOD BLESS YOU ALL.

Lt. Gen. R.M. Vohra,PVSM,MVC (Retd.)
(Former Army Commander)
B-041, Trinity Towers
DLF City Phase V
GURGAON - 122002(Haryana)
Tel/Fax:0124-4364939
Mob:9958147148
--------------
From: Shashank Bendre bendresr@gmail.com
To: kamboj_cs@yahoo.co.in
Sent: Tue, 27 October, 2009 10:21:21 AM
Subject: Illness-Maj.Gupta
Sir,
We wish a speedy and complete recovery for Maj. Gupta from his illness. Please convey our support to his family in this trying period for them.

Regards,
Shashank Bendre
Wg.Cdr. (Retd)
------------
From: Brij Mohan Thapa col_thapa_engrs@hotmail.com
To: aaa Brig C S Kamboj kamboj_cs@yahoo.co.in
Sent: Tue, 27 October, 2009 9:03:49 AM
Subject: An Excellent Timely Medical Cover Rendered To Maj S C Gupta By IESM Team To Save his life
Dear All,
IESM family has always rendered wonderful services to all for last one year in all welfare fields and still doing an excellent work for the welfare of defence services & ESM.
It is an excellent timely action taken by IESM team ie Maj Gen Satbir Singh, Gp Capt V K Gandhi and others for saving life of Maj S C Gupta .
It is worth remembering the valuable message of Brig C S Kamboj “ Let us all stand shoulder to shoulder and support the activities of IESM whole heartedly because success of IESM is in the interest of all IESM of India. United we win and divided we loose,”
We should ensure to fly the flag of IESM always higher and higher and indeed it is worth while being the member of IESM family. ONE SHOULD VALUE EACH OTHERS LIFE AS TRUE SOLDIER.
Praying for early recovery of Maj S C Gupta’s health.
Brij
SINGAPORE
M-0065-94851109
(Lt Col BM Thapa, Secy General ESL, Dehra Dun, currently visiting his children in Singapore)
--------------
From: ss jaswal jaswal972@yahoo.co.in
To: DELETED.
Cc: VSM VeteranBrig CS Kamboj kamboj_cs@yahoo.co.in TRUNCATED
Sent: Tue, 27 October, 2009 1:49:53 PM
Subject: FW: ESM SITREP 25 OCT 09 - REPORT MY SIGNAL - EMAIL 732/2009 - 25 OCT 09 (H to Z)

Dear All,
Selfless service by IESM Veterans - remniscent of the famous NDA motto " Service Before Self ". Timely help during the ` Golden Hour ` has saved the precious life of Maj DC Gupta who volunteered to travel to Delhi to deposit medals to the President for the sake of welfare of ESM.We salute him & wish him a speedy recovery.

- JOIN THE IESM -

Brig SS Jaswal, Veteran,
IESM, Panchkula.

Amazing, Outstanding Work Accomplished by WO Bala

From: Kameshwar Pandey pandeykameshwar@gmail.com
To: raj kadyan rajkadyan@yahoo.com
Cc: satbirsm@yahoo.com; REPORT MY SIGNAL (CS Kamboj) kamboj_cs@yahoo.co.in ; prbalathilakan@gmail.com ; Sukhamay Biswas sukhamay2000@yahoo.com

Sent: Mon, 26 October, 2009 8:08:20 PM
Subject: Amazing, Outstanding Work Accomplished by WO Bala

Dear Sir,

It is with immense joy that I write to you regarding the outstanding work accomplished by WO Bala regarding the MEDIA COVERAGE for yesterday's Medal Deposition campaign.

WO Bala carried out tremendous groundwork by repeatedly communicating and liaising with the South Indian media persons ensuring coverage for our event in those regions.

Reports from ESM from the southern parts of the country have come saying that the event was given ample media coverage. Certain news channels, including but not limited to, Sun TV, Surya TV, AsiaNet, have been carrying this news for two days in a row! Some newspapers have also carried the same news.

We must all congratulate WO Bala on this achievement.
(Heartiest congratulations Bala. Keep up the good work – Chander Kamboj)

Also, I strongly recommend his name as our Media Manager based on his outstanding media coverage lining up capabilities. I am certain that he can handle the northern parts of the country as deftly as he handles the southern parts right now.

Once again congratulations to WO Bala.

Thank you.

Yours truly,
Kameshwar
Kameshwar Pandey
Sub/Maj Hony. Lt. (Veteran)

230, Pocket-1, DDA SFS Flats, Sector-1, Dwarka, New Delhi - 110 075
Cell : +91-9811059825 , Home: +91-11-3296 6701
email: pandeykameshwar@gmail.com
-----------
From: R.M. VOHRA vohra.rm@gmail.com
To: kamboj_cs@yahoo.co.in
Sent: Mon, 26 October, 2009 7:06:03 PM
Subject:

VERY SORRY TO LEARN ABOUT MAJ GUPTA. WE PRAY FOR HIS SPEEDY & FULL RECOVERY. GOD BLESS YOU ALL.

Lt. Gen. R.M. Vohra,PVSM,MVC (Retd.)
(Former Army Commander)
B-041, Trinity Towers
DLF City Phase V
GURGAON - 122002(Haryana)
Tel/Fax:0124-4364939
Mob:9958147148
--------------
From: Shashank Bendre bendresr@gmail.com
To: kamboj_cs@yahoo.co.in
Sent: Tue, 27 October, 2009 10:21:21 AM
Subject: Illness-Maj.Gupta
Sir,
We wish a speedy and complete recovery for Maj. Gupta from his illness. Please convey our support to his family in this trying period for them.

Regards,
Shashank Bendre
Wg.Cdr. (Retd)
------------
From: Brij Mohan Thapa col_thapa_engrs@hotmail.com
To: aaa Brig C S Kamboj kamboj_cs@yahoo.co.in
Sent: Tue, 27 October, 2009 9:03:49 AM
Subject: An Excellent Timely Medical Cover Rendered To Maj S C Gupta By IESM Team To Save his life
Dear All,
IESM family has always rendered wonderful services to all for last one year in all welfare fields and still doing an excellent work for the welfare of defence services & ESM.
It is an excellent timely action taken by IESM team ie Maj Gen Satbir Singh, Gp Capt V K Gandhi and others for saving life of Maj S C Gupta .
It is worth remembering the valuable message of Brig C S Kamboj “ Let us all stand shoulder to shoulder and support the activities of IESM whole heartedly because success of IESM is in the interest of all IESM of India. United we win and divided we loose,”
We should ensure to fly the flag of IESM always higher and higher and indeed it is worth while being the member of IESM family. ONE SHOULD VALUE EACH OTHERS LIFE AS TRUE SOLDIER.
Praying for early recovery of Maj S C Gupta’s health.
Brij
SINGAPORE
M-0065-94851109
(Lt Col BM Thapa, Secy General ESL, Dehra Dun, currently visiting his children in Singapore)
--------------
From: ss jaswal jaswal972@yahoo.co.in
To: DELETED.
Cc: VSM VeteranBrig CS Kamboj kamboj_cs@yahoo.co.in TRUNCATED
Sent: Tue, 27 October, 2009 1:49:53 PM
Subject: FW: ESM SITREP 25 OCT 09 - REPORT MY SIGNAL - EMAIL 732/2009 - 25 OCT 09 (H to Z)

Dear All,
Selfless service by IESM Veterans - remniscent of the famous NDA motto " Service Before Self ". Timely help during the ` Golden Hour ` has saved the precious life of Maj DC Gupta who volunteered to travel to Delhi to deposit medals to the President for the sake of welfare of ESM.We salute him & wish him a speedy recovery.

- JOIN THE IESM -

Brig SS Jaswal, Veteran,
IESM, Panchkula.

IESM Serving its Members by Maj Bhupal Singh , Australia

Dear All,

Maj Gupta's medical condition is a matter of great concern for all of us. It is really laudable that Gen Satbir and other members of the Steering Committee took timely and prompt action to rush medical team with ambulance to provide necessary medical aid. I feel proud of their devotion to the ESM cause and convey my heartfelt compliments for the same. I also pray and wish speedy recovery of Maj Gupta. Kindly convey my best wishes to Maj Gupta and his family members. I also take this opportunity to cnagratulate you all for the action taken to deposit medals with the President.
With regards to all,
Maj Bhupal Singh, Veteran

Information
Major DC Gupta, who was part of the IESM team coming from Kanpur to deposit medals at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi, suffered a stroke while in the train.

The Kanpur team members in the train, informed Maj Gen Satbir Singh, Vice Chairman IESM, on mobile phone about Maj Gupta’s illness around 9.00 AM on 25 Oct 09. Gen Satbir took very prompt action and managed to rush an ambulance from Fortis Hospital to Ghaziabad railway station. Instead of first coming to Delhi, the medical team took charge of Maj DC Gupta at Ghaziabad railway station and rushed him to Noida Fortis Hospital. This saved very valuable time for the patient.

His three companions, Capt SNSharma, (Rank) CV Singh and Sgt K Kapur accompanied Maj Gupta in the ambulance to Noida.

All the ESM at Fortis Noida have been met by Gp Capt VK Gandhi, Secy Gen IESM and Col RP Chaturvedi, Member Steering Committee IESM and Coordinator ECHS Division of IESM. The necessary documents have been collected from Fortis Hospital to regularize and have an emergency referral made out tomorrow (26 Oct) at Noida polyclinic. That would take care of paper work.

Necessary contact numbers have been given to CV Singh. CV Singh is staying on while Capt Sharma and Sgt Kapur are returning to Kanpur late night. In the meantime, Maj Gupta's son is expected tonight. We wish veteran Maj DC Gupta a speedy recovery.

In Service of Indian Military Veterans
Chander Kamboj.

AN APPEAL; PROTEST BY EX SERVICEMEN FOR GRANT OF OROP by Gp capt VK Gandhi

Subject: AN APPEAL; PROTEST BY EX SERVICEMEN FOR GRANT OF OROP


Dear All

You are all aware that Govt is not doing justice with the ex-servicemen and constantly ignoring the genuine demands of ex-servicemen. Many ex-servicemen organizations across India are constantly taking up the grievances of ex-servicemen with Govt. All the organizations have same aim but different flags. Only aim of all organizations is to put pressure on Govt to accept the genuine demands of ex-servicemen. Indian ex servicemen movement IESM is also working towards this and has been taking up with the Govt for acceptance of the main demand of ONE RANK ONE PENSION OR MILITARY PENSION. This means same pension for an ex-servicemen with same length of service and same rank irrespective of his date of retirement.

IESM has been organising rallies and relay hunger strikes at Jantar Mantar since last one and a half year. IESM has also planned a novel but peaceful method of protest of returning the medals by ex-servicemen to the President of India for safe custody till demand about Mil Pen/OROP is accepted. EX-SERVICEMEN FROM GENERAL TO SEPOY HAVE RETURNED THEIR MEDALS. EX-SERVICEMEN HAVE DEPOSITED 20000 MEDALS IN FOUR TRANCHES WITH THE PRESIDENT SO FOR . This method of protest has put tremendous pressure on the Govt and forced the Govt to announce through the president's address to both the houses of parliament that the OROP will be reconsidered to satisfy the ex-servicemen. Accordingly a committee was set up under the Cabinet Secretary to look into the grievances of ex-servicemen for their pension. The Committee has submitted its report and its recommendations are under consideration by the Govt. All of us know that the recommendations are not favourable to ex-servicemen, infact in the recommendations Cabinet Secy has rejected the demand of OROP. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE TO EX-SERVICEMEN FAMILY ACROSS INDIA AND WE SHOULD REGISTER OUR STRONG PROTEST IN THE MOST PEACEFUL BUT EFFECTIVE MANNER AGAINST THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CAB SEC REPORT. IESM HAS DECIDED TO INCREASE THE PRESSURE AND RETURN A LARGE TRANCHE OF MEDALS TO REGISTER PROTEST AND UNHAPPINESS OF EX-SERVICEMEN AGAINST THE CAB SEC RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE 25 OCT 2009 SUNDAY AT JANTAR MANTAR PARLIAMENT STREET NEW DELHI.

I on behalf of IESM request all ex-servicemen all over India to come to Jantar Mantar on Parliament street New Delhi to deposit your medals and register your protest FOR GRANT OF OROP. Let us all get together on 25 Oct on Jantar Mantar to PROTEST against the refusal of Govt to the genuine demand of OROP of ex-servicemen. I also exhort all conveners to collect maximum number of medals in their areas of influnce and send your representatives to Jantar Mantar on the 25 Oct 09. In case it is not possible for your rep to come to Delhi, please courier the medals collected and send us the bill for reimbursement. You can also courier the medals at the address given below or at the address of IESM hq at H no 543 Sector 23 Gurgaon 122017 Haryana.

COME ONE COME ALL. LET US PUT JOIN OUR SHOULDERS TOGETHER TO CONVERT PUSH INTO A HEAVE AND CONVINCE THE GOVERNMENT TO ACCEPT OUR DEMAND OF OROP


Regards

Gp Capt VK Gandhi VSM
Gen Sec IESM
L - 48, Sector - 25,
NOIDA. 201301
Tele no 01202519440
Mobile 09810541222

Monday, October 26, 2009

Maj Gupta's health...Sitrep and some mails

Dear Friends,
Jai Hind.
On 25 Oct 09, Maj DC Gupta, an IESM member from Kanpur, had suffered a stroke when travelling by train to New Delhi to deposit medals of ESM collected at Kanpur.
Complete details of the case were reported in Report My Signal Email 732/2009, on 25 Oct 09.

For latest bulletin on health of Maj Gupta, please see the email appended below, which has been received from Gp Capt VK Gandhi, Secy Gen IESM.

Some other emails received about Maj Gupta from members of Report My Signal, are also reproduced below.

In Service of Indian Military Veterans
Chander Kamboj.
------------

From: Vinod Gandhi [mailto:vk_gandhi@yahoo.com]

Sent: 26 October 2009 12:38
To: Kamboj Chander

Subject: Re: ESM SITREP 25 OCT 09 - REPORT MY SIGNAL - EMAIL 732/2009 - 25 OCT 09 (A to G)

I got the emergency referral made from polyclinic noida and have handed over to the family/escort.

Major Gupta is feeling much better today but is still in ICU.

Yesterday an MRI was done but nothing concrete has come out in MRI.

Major Gupta's son has arrived yesterday and the family has decided in consultation with doctors to shift him to Kanpur for convenience.

Rest of the check would be done there (Kanpur).

Regards

Gp Capt VK Gandhi VSM
Gen Sec IESM
L - 48, Sector - 25,
NOIDA. 201301
Tele no 01202519440
Mobile 09810541222

Pls see IESM latest NEWS on http://www.iesm.org
-------------
From: bhupal singh [mailto:bsec234@hotmail.com]
Sent: 26 October 2009 06:29
To: Kamboj Chander
Cc: KADYAN Lt Gen RAJ; Satbir Singh Maj Gen
Subject: RE: ESM SITREP 25 OCT 09 - REPORT MY SIGNAL - EMAIL 732/2009 - 25 OCT 09 (A to G)

Dear All,

Maj Gupta's medical condition is a matter of great concern for all of us. It is really laudable that Gen Satbir and other members of the Steering Committee took timely and prompt action to rush medical team with ambulance to provide necessary medical aid. I feel proud of their devotion to the ESM cause and convey my heartfelt compliments for the same. I also pray and wish speedy recovery of
Maj Gupta. Kindly convey my best wishes to Maj Gupta and his family members.

I also take this opportunity to cnagratulate you all for the action taken to deposit medals with the President.

With regards to all,

Bhupal Singh, Veteran (Australia)
----------
From: kamal khanna [mailto:kkkhanna46@yahoo.com]
Sent: 26 October 2009 02:35
To: Maj Gen Satbir
Cc: Kamboj Chander
Subject: Saving Maj DC Gupta

Dear Sir,

We are happy to learn of your prompt action to save the life of Maj DC Gupta.

We wish him and you, good health and happiness.

With regards.

Lt Gen KK Khanna
Veteran

--------------
From: Col Shivraj [mailto:colshivraj@gmail.com]

Sent: 26 October 2009 11:32
To: Kamboj Chander
Cc: militaryveterans; indianveterans
Subject: Re: ESM SITREP 25 OCT 09 - REPORT MY SIGNAL - EMAIL 732/2009 - 25 OCT 09 (H to Z)

Dear Veterans,
An excellent work done by the members of IESM.
We wish speedy recovery to Maj DC Gupta.
regards
Col Shivraj
New Delhi
Phone: 9810433842
-----------
From: kiran krishan [mailto:kkrishan123@gmail.com]

Sent: 26 October 2009 10:59
To: Kamboj Chander
Subject: RE: ESM SITREP 25 OCT 09 - REPORT MY SIGNAL - EMAIL 732/2009 - 25 OCT 09 (H to Z)

Please convey our heartfelt congratulations to Maj Gen Satbir Singh, and all the IESM members at Delhi/Noida who took care of Maj DC Gupta. This is what makes it worthwhile being member of the IESM (worthwhile being a soldier should we say. All soldiers value each others life – Chander Kamboj).

With all the good wishes and parayers for an early recovery of Maj Gupat, and warm regards,

Brig Kiran Krishan, SM (Retd),
Coordiator, IESM, Panchkula &
President All Indian Defence Brotherhood (Haryana Unit)
-----------

Views by Lt Col Inderjit Singh Gill, Veteran

Dear Col Sohi,

Reference your very calm response to 'Hav' Shangara Singh's email.

It is very much in line with our theme of 'Bhae kahun ko det nahin, nan bhae manat ahe'. Let us also try 'Hum nahin channge, burra nahin koe'. This will help in resolving present war of emails.

Your balanced response, point wise clarifications, use of appropriate language should be appreciated by ALL, who keep crossing emails (using as sowrds !!). We must maintain the mutual respect for each other, what ever may be the provocation.

Unfortunately, it is NOT happening. We intend using 'words' which cause deep hurt to others. Such mails increase animosity amongst members (we all are ESM - in IESL / IESM or what ever be name of our group set up). A retired G..... or any other rank, is an ESM first and member of some organisation later. If either of the groups fail while dealing with GOI, then whole ESM community will fail.

We can achieve our objective only when we put up a united front. Infighting will weaken our case. Just to keep away those, who are or were raising voice of discontent, GOI invited only those, who towed / will tow their line in future. Such divisions will weaken our fight for the cause. And that is what the Topiwala and Penwala wants.

Our Core Gp in IESM.

It will be worthwhile clarifying some issues raised by our PUNJAB chapter ESMs in their emails, if not for all to know, atleast to those,who had raised the points - sought clarifications. Let that be one to one communication, instead of using 'proxy' or other members writing to person asking for clarifications.

This used to be the practice in the past (our history is full of such examples) In any case, when we found NO enemy to fight with, we fought with each other. Let the histroy NOT repeat itself.

Warm regards

Lt Col Inderjit Singh Gill, Veteran
41, Signals Vihar,
MHOW(MP) 453 442
093018-77771

Sunday, October 25, 2009

Mail to editors by Lt Col BM THapa ..dehradun for return of medals

From: Brij Mohan Thapa

To: aaaaa Amar Ujala
Sent: Sat, 24 October, 2009 4:46:23 PM

Subject: Depositing of Medals on 25 Oct 2009‏ By Ex-Servicemen To President of India


Dear Editor,
Kindly arrange to publish the following important news and press release of welfare of 23 lakhs retired Ex-Servicemen of India who have already deposited 20000 medals to the President of India and now on 25 Oct 09 at 3 pm again depositing medals to the President of India please.

Lt Col B M Thapa, Veteran, Member IESM, gen Secy DESL

Saturday, October 24, 2009

Qusetions to Col Khera by Hav Sangha..Punjab ESM

2009/10/22 Hawaldar Sangha


Respected Col Khera Sahib,

SSA

I have read your mails with interest.You have displayed lot good for ESM.Since you qoute Guru Nanak Dev Ji, i will like to talk Truth with you.



Sir, You talk of Ngo.Col sohi does good work for ESm,but he is also glory only.Sir, you talk that some org have no democratic set up.I will ask question-nog-Grivance cell by Col sohi.
1. Do thay have bank account.
2. How do they account all contributions.
3. Is that ngo running on democrativc set up.
4. what is the or of that.
5. are their accounts audited.
6. Do they hold elctions.
Sir, better learn facts and then talk.
Now, all membership contributions and donations were being collected by one person as coordinator of Punjab -Iesm.No accounting,no countersigning,and no disclosures tomembers.Aprox 5 lakhs taken care of.When Hq asked for accounting,he statrted making new org.All other ngo pay him for all expenses.It shows all for funds.

Generals at Delhi may not have known how to run civ org but they gave us direction.You have been saying negative things for Generals.Sir pl do not politicise.Our Army is the best and generals are the best.In absence of Generals even Peon of Cm will not allow ypou to enter hsi offce.Pl try .we all veterans.Sir plaese do not part us.

Sir, you make new org at behest of congress.You call Esm no political.Col Boparai congress.Col sohi till 16 sep support BJP and overnight congress.Now through congress or akali funds you want to create disunity.History and we esm will not pardon you.You are against OROP.You giving statemenst that PM has accepted orop but if you do not fulfill this all esm will cahse from your houses.

i will request good sense,language and pl let other org working for cause work.Do not politiciase.politicians have kept us apart they will still doit.

Any misdtake pl pardon. It is only old infantry man hwo is suffring asyou all are busy fighting one org against other.why new org..will you get us orop.

ssa.
Hav Sangha a infantry soldier later with Aec.

IESM core group meeting pan India to be held at 1030h on 1 Nov 2009

Dear members of the core group IESM

IESM core group meeting pan India is planned to be held at 1030h on 1 Nov 2009 Sunday at AVCC Sector - 37 Noida. All the members are requested to attend the meeting .

Our main agenda will be to discuss and plan the course of action of IESM in view of the rejection of our just demand of OROP by the Govt.

Agenda points fo be discussed in the meeting are enclosed.

Members are requested to forward their points to be included in agenda points.

It is proposed to reimburse the travel fare for travel of all the members arriving for the meeting. Members can choose the most convenient mode of travel to reach the venue but the reimbursement will be restricted to actual fare or AC 3 tier whichever is less. Please do bring the receipts to your travel expenses.

All members who are attending are requested to kindly bring the photocopy of their tickets/receipts or send the photocopy of the ticket in advance so that the expenses can be reimbursed during the meeting. This is an audit requirement and we would not be able reimburse the cost without proper photocopy of the ticket/receipt.

All members are requested to make their own arrangements for stay at Delhi/Noida. However in case some members have some difficulty in arranging their stay, we will extend all the possible help. Please do communicate in case you need any assistance from us.

Kindly confirm your participation for us to make the meeting more meaningful.


Gp Capt VK Gandhi VSM
Gen Sec IESM
L - 48, Sector - 25,
NOIDA. 201301
Tele no 01202519440
Mobile 09810541222

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Admiral Mehta to be Ambassador to New Zealand

Official announcement soon. If you remember what I said back in the day on this blog: click me - the rift between our ex-Naval Chief and the Government was a creation of a (very small) section of the media and an imaginary yield of some very fertile minds. This and this would remind us of the time.

Now is the time to put all rumours to rest, because Admiral Sureesh Mehta is going to be the next Ambassador to Kiwiland. An official announcement would most probably be made very soon.

‘Salute the Soldier’. :-)
Posted by Navdeep / Maj Navdeep Singh at 4:53 PM
Admiral Mehta to be Ambassador to New Zealand

Is the mission for equality accomplished?
Is the Naval chief being really rewarded or is he being kept out of the country so that the the Sixth Central Pay Commission inequalities and anomalies of 'Services Salaries' remains bugged/ buried forever? :'-)
Remember remarks of Naval Chief at a Territorial Army day parade last year (Oct 2008) where Defence Minister A K Antony, Army chief General Deepak Kapoor and Air Chief F H Major were present. The other two service chiefs were walking alongside Mehta when the reporters talked to him but they did not make any comments."Our fight is for equality"- click me

Tricity ex-servicemen decide against returning medals

Tricity ex-servicemen decide against returning medals
--

CHANDIGARH: Some organizations of retired defence personnel from the Tricity have decided that their members will not return their gallantry medals on October 25 in Delhi, which had been planned to push their one-rank- one-pension (OROP) demand. The organizations’ members said they had severed ties with Indian Ex-Servicemen Movement (IESM), which had called for this protest Lt Col (retd) SS Sohi, spokesperson of Indian Ex-Servicemen League (IESL) said the decision was taken after prime minister Manmohan Singh assured that he would take personal interest in resolving the OROP issue.

He also stated that PM had spoken against negative remarks by a committee of seven IAS officers regarding OROP last month and directed defence ministry to hold fresh meetings with ex-servicemen to deal with this demand. He stated that surrendering medals despite PM’s assurance would be against the spirit of democracy.

He added that IESM’s Lt Gen Satbir Singh, who gave the call for this protest, was hand in glove with opposition parties.

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Pension Slips to Defence Personnel ..???

Is this true?

Relevant portion of RBI circular regarding issue of pension slip by Banks is reproduced below for your information. Please ensure you get these every month. This is separate from Annexure IV.
Para 20: Disbursement of Central Government Pension through Public Sector Banks-Issue of Pension Slips to Defence Pensioners: Master Circular- Disbursement of Pension by Agency Banks(Ref. DGBA.GAD. H-17663/45.05.031/ 2006-07 dated June 12, 2007)

It has been decided in consultation with the Office of Chief Controller of Defence Accounts and the Department of Ex-Servicemen welfare, Ministry of Defence to issue pension slip to Armed Forces Personnel/ Defence Civilian pensioners including family pensioners on par with the existing system as applicable to Central Government Pensioners (Civil). All the agency banks were advised to issue suitable instructions to their pension paying branches.
Deepak Verma, Veteran

Important RBI circulars

Master Circular- Disbursement of Pension by Agency Banks

Collection of account payee cheque – Prohibition on crediting proceeds to third party account

Grievance Redressal Mechanism - Display of Contact Details of Officials

GUARANTEES, CO-ACCEPTANCES & LETTERS OF CREDIT

Reconciliation of transactions at ATMs failure – Time limit

Simplify Armed Forces Pay based solely on Rank

Here is very simple Pay Structure/ Tables for the Armed Forces Personnel solely based on Rank. This is also in consonance with the Sixth Central Pay Commission Recommendations. What is basically achieved is that the multitude of pay tables are reduced to a single simple Salary/ Pay table for all ranks. These tables are easy to understand!

Jawans
Recruit....4500
Sepoy......7500
Naik.......9000
Havildhar..10000

Junior Commissioned Officers
Nb Sub.....12000
Sub........15000
Sub Maj....20000
Hony Capt..25000

Commissioned Officers including Nursing Officers
2nd Lt.....10000
Lt.........17500
Capt.......25000
Maj........30000
Lt Col.....37500
Col........45000
Brig.......50000
Maj Gen....60000
Lt Gen.....70000
V Chief....80000
Chief......90000

Abolish all trade and group structure.
Eliminate all qualifications pay.
Abolish all time scale Ranks.
Yearly increment at 10% of basic pay for all ranks.
Grade Pay, MSP and allowances as notified by by MOD.
Pension entitlement to 50% of last Pay Drawn (eligible after 20 years).
New Pay Scales for Defence forces officers

Once we have a simplified Pay Structure for Defence Services Personnel, there is no scope for bureaucrats to play foul by creating numerous anomalies which the AHQ is still trying to unravel for the last 20 years!

Appeal to ESM by Maj Gen Satbir Singh

AN APPEAL FROM INDIAN EX-SERVICES MOVEMENT

Brig C S Kamboj, V S M, Veteran,(E Mail ID-kamboj_cs@yahoo.co.in)
In last one year or so, if the ESM have been able to draw the attention of the public, the media and the Government of India, it is purely because of the efforts of Ex Servicemen, all supporting the IESM forcefully and some of its supporters working silently behind the scenes.
Former Chiefs of Army and Navy, who are members of IESM and are whole heartedly supporting us behind the scenes.
Some of the ESM Organisations of JCOs, NCOs and ORs have also been giving very strong support to IESM in its mission; while these ESM organisations have been independently pressurising the Government of India, they have also been supporting the IESM whole heartedly in its plans on ground.
The Government has done very little for ESM so far, but they are aware of the rapidly rising popularity of IESM among the ESM.
There are also very strong rumours floating around that while internally the Government has in principle agreed to OROP, it will announce it only a year or so before the next general elections!!!
We cannot believe such rumours – and have to continue with our efforts to get –
“JUSTICE FOR DEFENCE SERVICES”.
So let us all stand shoulder to shoulder and support the activities of IESM whole heartedly.
An email received from Maj Gen Satbir Singh, Retd, S M,Vice Chairman IESM, is reproduced below. The attachment received with the email in English language is reproduced below his email. Please translate the English version in your regional languages and have these circulated widely in your respective areas.
Please do put in your best efforts to make the depositing of medals on 25 Oct 09 a grand success event as earlier.
A handful of leaders of IESM cannot achieve the aim unless we all support sincerely and with all our might.
Success of IESM is in the interest of ALL ESM of INDIA, spread all over the world.
In Service of Indian Military Veterans
In Put By Lt Col B M Thapa, Veteran & Member of IESM

PRESS RELEASE/INVITATION
Unhappy Over Non Grant of One Rank One Pension (OROP), Ex - Servicemen Deposit Medals with the President Fifth time on 25 Oct 2009 at Jantar Mantar
Dear Members of the Media
1. The Govt continues to ignore the grant of One Rank One Pension demand of Ex Servicemen (ESM). The Prime Minister in his speech at Red Fort on 15 Aug 09 had stated that pensions of JCOs and other ranks have been enhanced. Even, these orders have not yet been issued by the Govt. Why there should be so much delay? Is it that bureaucracy with intent to harass the Ex Servicemen is causing hurdles in issuing the necessary orders? The Ex Servicemen are very angry and hurt on this attitude of the Govt. The Ex Servicemen across the country have asked the Indian Ex Servicemen Movement (IESM) leadership who have been protesting for the last one and half year against the Injustice to Defence Forces to intensify the Movement to get OROP sanctioned at the earliest. IESM has decided to deposit the medals once again with the President on 25 Oct 09. It may please be noted that Ex Servicemen have already deposited 20000 medals with the President.
2. ESM PAN India have started depositing the medals with the IESM HQ at Gurgaon (Hr). The medals will also be collected on 25 Oct 09 at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi from 10 AM to 2 PM. Thereafter, a delegation of IESM will proceed to Rashtrapati Bhawan to deposit the medals with the President.
3. IESM appeals to all ESM across the country to volunteer deposit the medals to strengthen the Movement for getting Justice to the Defence Personnel, the most important demand being the grant of OROP. It is pertinent to mention that an old pensioner Sepoy with 17 years of service gets a pension of Rs 3500/-per month only where as a Sepoy retiring after 2006 with same years of service gets a Pension of Rs 7045/- per month. This is totally unjust, illegal and happens only in our Country.
4. You are requested to kindly publish this in your news paper/carry it in your news channel/magazine /periodicals and also cover the event on 25 Oct 2009 between 10 AM to 3 PM at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi.
With Kind Regards,
Jai Hind
Yours Sincerely,
Maj Gen (Retd) Satbir Singh, SM

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

POW in Pakistan...Flying Officer Sudhir Tyagi

13 Oct 09
Dear Colonel Tyagi,
I am sad to learn about your brother being one of the 54 POWs.
I can well imagine your feelings and your family’s feelings about this issue.
I am forwarding your email for consideration by the IESM Steering Committee.
Your email will also be circulated on “Report My Signal”.

Cheer up.

May God help us all in getting release of all the POWs.

Wishing you and your family A Very Happy Deepawali.

Chander Kamboj
Copy to – IESM Steering Committee – (BCC)

From: MK TYAGI [mailto:tyagimkt@yahoo.com]
Sent: 13 October 2009 08:53
To: Kamboj Chander
Subject: Re: AN EMAIL FROM BRIG SURYANARAYANAN - "REPORT MY SIGNAL" - EMAIL 708/2009 - 12 OCT 09 (H to Z)

Dear Sir,

I am very happy to know that Mr Hira Lal doing such pioneering efforts to raise POW issues with the masses. On personal front my brother in law, Flying Officer Sudhir Tyagi, Vr C is one amongst the 54 POW

We had raised the matter in 1981 through media and acknowledge efforts of Mr Ravindra Kumar, now Editor in Chief of STATESMAN ( then a correspondent ) based at Delhi. It has been contineous efforts. Those interested in gaining independent opinion may read page 59 of a book by Victoria Shoffield, Bhutto Trial and Error where an independent account gave credence to their presence.

It really hurts that Govt acknowledged in Lok Sabha proceedings that our 54 POWs are in Pak jail but neither making a serious efforts to bring them back nor accepting them to be alive to save few thousand in terms of pay and allowances to the families. IESM may include in their agenda if deem fit to atleast make Govt realise that these 54 POWs be consider to be on duty till they would have retired otherwise.

regards,


Col (Retd) MK Tyagi
301, Inner Court
Indraprastha
Bhopal - 462032 (MP)
9425016499 (MOB)
0755- 2665336 (RES)

Monday, October 12, 2009

What are the rights of the Ex- Servicemen..?

What are the rights of the Ex- Servicemen

Pension Parity, Health Care, Disability Compensation, Education or Vocational Training, Easy Housing/ Loan facilities, Legal rights and other benefits extended to all those who have been honourably discharged from THE INDIAN ARMED FORCES.

According to data complied by ESM Welfare Department under MOD, about 2.6 million are ESM, or 0.022 percent of the civilian population (1.15 billion). This number includes those who served for the duration of their military careers and those who served for only a short time, such as Short Service Commissioned Officers. Given such an insignificant percentage of the population, the government has neglected their rights and systematically failed to provide/ diluted the benefits for these retired servicemen.



The MOD is primarily responsible for administering the various programs through the Ex Servicemen Welfare Department which is solely staffed by civilians whose dedication to the cause is a suspect. The intended programmes do not impact nor do they reach the lowest rung of retired sepoys. Most of the programmes are Officer centric who only comprise 2% of the total ESM population. The focus is geared to employment generation for all retiring Officers instead of ensuring employment for all sepoys who retire from active service. Security Agency scheme initiated by DGR sucks... only to demean the armed forces in general. All you need is to see the security guards posted as Chowkidars... a combat soldier reduced to a comic figure!

Views on IESL by Maj gen RN Radhakrishnan

Birth of IESL

Two generals were farsighted enough to see through the politicians, and founded Indian Ex-Services League in the early 1960 on the lines of the Royal Commonwealth Ex-Services League (RCEL), but down the line subversion crept in. Literally none of the service officer community, either was in the past or is now, aware of the existence of IESL. Strangely no one of the presidents of IESL seems to have taken note of the minimum participation of the officer community in the IESL and considered any possible effort to rectify the deficiency. Perhaps it suited them.

Registered body

IESL is a registered body, registered with Government of India vide letter 2(2)RECGN/IESL/KSB/A/2000 dated 04 Jan 2001 with its head Office at Chanakyapuri, New Delhi. It is registered under a proper Memorandum and the Article of Association. Every State is expected to organize a state level and district level units and get affiliated to the IESL. The affiliated units at state level are duly represented through their President/ General Secretary as representative in the council at Delhi. IESL is also an affiliated member of RCEL UK. The Patrons are the President and the supreme commander of the Indian Defense Forces incumbent is the Grand Patron in Chief and the other three patrons being the three chiefs of staff, during its formation. Subsequently, the Defense Minister assumed patronage as Patron in Chief and Marshal of the Indian Air Force as additional patron. (What a patronage? Soon presume the Defense Secretary also may become a patron, say Deputy Patron in Chief. The president of the IESL is elected from among the State delegates by the State delegates and holds office for a period of three years. The affairs of IESL are under the control of a council of members, duly elected. Membership to IESL is by application routed through the President of State Level unit and is for life. The fees are collected directly by the head office who in turn distributes 30% each to the State and District units. There is some ambiguity on distribution of the shares due to the state and district level units. We have seen that the application directly submitted with the due membership fees have been accepted and membership accorded. But how does a retiring serviceman come to know of IESL? According to the brochure of IESL, the whole country is supposed to be observing Ex-Servicemen Week in the first week of September every year. Is any one aware of it? How strange? Recently the AHQ seems to have sent out a letter to the Commands to take steps to promote membership to IESL, but how sincere has been the response to this instruction, is questionable. Had IESL played a dynamic role precisely with which purpose it was created, we might not have to face the present crisis forcing us to take to the streets, holding ‘rallys, fasts and dharnas’ as the common helpless citizen at times resort to with no specific gain, unless an element of possible destruction of public property or mass scale disturbance of peace is involved.
Maj Gen RN Radhakrishnan (Retd)
Read complete review:
LET US BE MORE PROACTIVE

Thursday, October 8, 2009

Views of Kameshwar Pandey Sub Maj Hony Lt (Veteran)

Dear and Respected Veterans and Colleagues,

A mission, any mission, be it the freedom struggle, struggle for justice, equality or any worthwhile cause, is a success or a failure depending upon the strength and unity of those who are fighting together. A mission is successful if constructive inputs are given from all corners within the framework of the team. A mission is a failure if negative, destructive comments are made by the team members. A mission or a group or a team can withstand mighty jolts and ambush from the outside if it is strong. At the same time, the mission will be blown away if there is even a slight weakness from within.

Positive and critical criticism is essential for success. I understand that. Feedback, changes and a democratic setup to answer all suggestions/ inquiries/ grievances/ doubts are all a essential ingredients of an organizational setup for accomplishing its goals.

That said, do we not think that there is a time, a place and a way to do this? Or do we believe in sticking our fingers out and pointing it right to the person 'we' think is irresponsible?

My urge to you is this: Please consider this simple thought before sending any email: "Is my email/ article going to strengthen our cause?" Millions of ESM are counting on IESM and its members to bring a smile to their faces and hope in their lives. We cannot afford to let them down. Because if we do, we will never be able to face ourselves in the mirror again. I can still clearly remember the ESM who used to come to Jantar Manter and at the various rallies we had all over India with their problems and challenges and most importantly with hope in their eyes that IESM will help them live a life of dignity and honor.

Can we let those men and women down? Can we really? I urge the entire "net-savvy" ESM community to get together once again and make the necessary changes to IESM but in a dignified, respectable and democratic way. Let us work towards unity.
Thank you.
Yours truly,
Kameshwar Pandey
Sub Maj Hony Lt (Veteran)

ESM have common a thread that outweighs all other distractions
Initially we thought our IES Movement could do it all but soon realized we were limited based on our available time, energy and the simple fact that we are a group made up of volunteers.

We ESM have one common thread that will outweigh all others and that is, our desire to help veterans. Helping veterans also means educating the public about the detrimental affects of Pension Disparity, veteran’s health issues and governmental policies averse to Veteran welfare.

Like all ESM organizations a few members will have their disagreements/ fall-outs and will need to find the common thread that will hold them together. If they wish counseling there are many senior Generals like Vijay Oberoi to help but we can’t force it on them. Unity will come with finding that commonality in which they can all agree. It’s up to all of us.

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Clarifications By Sub Maj Hony. Lt. (Retd.) Kameshwar Pandey

Dear Sirs and Colleagues,

I have received a forwarded mail form a senior veteran and thus would
like to clear my points of view. I have been quoted out of context which is rather misleading as the particular part which has been quoted seems to have an entirely
different meaning than what my original message meant.

I openly spoke on 30th Aug, 2009 at the AIVM and my talk/speech is posted on
reportmysignal.blogspot.com and iesm.org.There is no change and please also
see my latest email message "IESM: Winds of change and our reaction to it --
Good or bad? You decide..."

I gave my points to the chairman, vice chairman and gen secretory for
internal discussion and it is unethical to make it public. Within two days
those points were cleared by the vice chairman. Please read the original
message carefully (appended below this email).

Again, it is underscored that quoting a person or a statement out of
context can totally change/reverse the meaning and relevance of that
statement. I urge and request the ESM community to refrain from doing
so. Disputes and differences should be settled by
deliberations and discussions - not by blowing the issue out of
proportions by taking the matters public.


Thank you for your time.

Yours truly,

Kameshwar

_________________________________________________

*MY OPINIONS FOR THE BETTERMENT OF IESM (05 Sept 09)



Respected My Dear friends


Today first of all I would like to share the points which I had previously
raised at the AIVM.

1. On Sept 01, I received calls from other states apart from NCR.
Following are the points along with my humble suggestions:

(a) *Issuing IESM Identity Cards for members* - If this is not possible due
to financial or logistical challenges some simple, cost effective option
should be used. This matter is of utmost importance and must be dealt with
urgently. Some members are becoming increasingly in-secured about their
membership status just because of the absence of the ID Cards.

(b) *Escalation of the Membership Drive and Deposition of Medals* - Sir, I
believe we have to select some capable and trustworthy JCOs and NCOs like
Capt Om Prakash, Sub Hari Singh, Capt Rathi, Hav P N Shrivastava, Sub
Upadhyay and the likes from all states throughout the country. One such list
is with Gen Satbir sir. They should be given enough money and power for the
purpose of escalating the membership drive and reaching out to the remote
areas of the country where ESM are living in anonymity. Our representatives
will then make their own independent teams to support the mission in their
local areas. Also, if we have to get results we should have some
volunteers working full time on the grassroots level. No doubt this may
involve some expenses but the mission will be much much more effective if
such a step is executed. Details can be worked out in our next core group
meeting if you find appropriate.

(c) *The point of Gen Sec*, *IESM* - Although its definitely personal
opinion (and ego?) of the officers concerned. In principle I should not
comment on this but because it is affecting the IESM unity and because this
point was raised in the meeting also I must give you some feedback. On 29th
Oct Col Bhardwaj called all his contacts and had meetings and is continuing
this to convince people regarding his point of view. The point was
discussed. The JCOs were of the opinion that this should be sorted out
within the officers and Col Bhardwaj should not be disassociate from the
organization. He is a founder member and a valuable asset to the
organization. Sir, I believe you must handle this issue with your own
personal intervention.

(d) * The arrangement*: The arrangement right from the reception to send
off as well as the arrangement for refreshments was exemplary. Everybody
appreciated the same. We all thank the respected organizers and feel proud
for such a successful meeting.

(e) *Many potential speakers not being allotted time. Some personal
mails and phonecalls were received as complain. *- May I suggest you sir to
kindly settle these grievances on daily SITREP.


(f) *JCOs/ORs Representation at Various IESM Committees* – Sir with respect,
I am at a loss to find the reasons for zero representation of JCOs and ORs
at the IESM meetings. It makes me wonder if total faith in JCOs and Ors has
been lost by our leadership. All ranks, officers JCOs and ORs worked
together in synchronization and harmony during our service years but
something seems to have gone wrong now. This point was also raised at the
All India Meet yesterday. I request you to kindly look into it.
MWO Bala and I along with some JCOs were included in the core group earlier.
I was informed of the same by Maj Gen Satbir Singh and Col Bhardwaj. Its
announcement should be made public. Temporary appoints to other JCOs, NCOs
and ORs may also be given in various working committees if you deem that
fit. Selection should be done care fully. It will kill the many negative
points raised at the 30th Aug AIVM.

*Points for this meeting:*

(a) We all are working for the welfare of ESM. I will support all efforts
taken for the unity and betterment of IESM.

(b) Col Bhardwaj , Maj Jhaker and all unhappy members are also the founder
members of IESM. May I request them to put aside any personal fight and ego.
We should discuss issues in a democratic way with respect for the other
members and must always remember that these discussions are ultimately aimed
at improving IESM.



2. I hope you all will consider my points as positive approach towards unity
and better working environment at IESM.

Thank you sir,

With warm regards,


Kameshwar Pandey
Sub Maj Hony. Lt. (Retd.)



_____________________________________________

--

Kameshwar Pandey
Sub/Maj Hony. Lt. (Veteran)

230, Pocket-1,
DDA SFS Flats, Sector-1,
Dwarka, New Delhi - 110 075

Monday, October 5, 2009

"Pay arrears before Diwali", Antony’s gift to the Armed Forces

The Defence Minister, Shri A K Antony lighting the lamp to inaugurate the Defence Accounts Day 2009 function, in New Delhi on October 01, 2009. The Controller General of Defence Accounts, Smt Bulbul Ghosh and the Secretary (Defence Finance), Smt Indu Liberhan are also seen. Photo no CNR- 27862

Thursday, October 01, 2009
18:47 IST
The Defence Minister Shri AK Antony has stressed that all men in the Armed Forces must get all their pay arrears relating to the Sixth Central Pay Commission well in time before Diwali. Addressing the Defence Accounts Day function here today, Shri Antony commended the officials of the Controller General of Defence Accounts for adopting computerisation and speeding-up the salary computation systems.

“One of the major challenges before you all is to render prompt, efficient and hassle free pensionary services to nearly 2 million Ex-servicemen and other retired Defence Personnel”, Shri Antony said. The Defence Minister called upon the Defence Accounts officials to implement optimally the austerity measures announced recently by the Government. “The Prime Minister has underlined the importance of service delivery mechanisms”, he added. Samir/DM/PK/RAJ
“Pay arrears before Diwali”, Antony’s gift to the Armed Forces

More MoD Press Releases

Lieutenant General PC Bhardwaj, took over as Vice Army Chief today at South Block, New Delhi.

Air Marshal LK Malhotra, today took over as the Senior Air Staff Officer (SASO) at HQ Eastern Air Command, Shillong.

Air Marshal Paramjit Singh Bhangu, today took over as the new Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief (AOC-in-C), South Western Air Command (SWAC) at Gandhinagar, today.

The Indian veterans have probably used their ultimate weapon of returning the medals far too early in their movement by Vice Admiral Harinder singh

Dear Members,

An article of topical interest by a retired naval officer A Bhardwaj is forwarded for your info pl.

Regards


LEADER
From “Dewey Canyon III” to Action at Jantar Mantra

Atul Bharadwaj
font-size
The Indian veterans need to identify with the civil society. They have probably used their ultimate weapon of returning the medals far too early in their movement

In 1971, many US War veterans had joined the national mainstream to protest against the invasion of Vietnam and Laos. The peaceful anti-war protest by the veterans in Washington, called “Operation Dewey Canyon III” began on 19 April 1971. On April 23, more than 800 veterans, one by one, tossed their medals, ribbons, discharge papers and other war mementos on the steps of the Capitol Hill, rejecting the Vietnam war and the significance of those awards. The protest shook the US government and received wide media coverage.

Recently, the Indian veterans decided to do something similar. After protesting for more than two months at Jantar Mantar in Delhi and various other locations across the country, they finally decided to return their medals to the government. As many as 5000 medals were handed back. Undoubtedly, it is shameful on the part of the government and the administrators to be utterly disdainful of the soldiers’ plight. The veteran’s demands are plain and simple. All they are asking for is onerank one-pension. They are hardly demanding the moon, especially when one sees that “secretaries to the government, judges, MPs and MLAs have been granted one-rank onepension. That covers the full executive, legislature and top babus,” says Karan Thapar, a noted journalist. But almost all political parties have turned a blind eye to this long pending demand of the veterans.

However, despite the use of this Bramha-Astra (returning medals), the veterans involved in the protest have hardly been able to awaken the national consciousness and shake people (leave alone the government) out of deep slumber, in the same manner that the US veterans had done in 1971.
The question is why is this so? Many involved in the protest say that the movement is still in its infancy-they are not getting the support they need from the serving community. One fully agrees with the protesting veterans when they blame the politicians and the bureaucrats for their double speak. But what needs to be probed is why is the general public not rising up to show solidarity with the veterans? And why is the media so lukewarm owards the protestors?
The public sees the entire movement to be based on a very narrow agenda of pay hike, something which they themselves have to grapple with in their daily professional life. Therefore, neither the media nor the public sees any novelty in the veteran’s movement. The nation sees the military man to be a giver, somebody who willingly sacrifices his life for providing security or “public good” for the nation. Contrast this with the emotions evoked in 1971 by the US veterans returning the medals. The American public saw them as a part of the nation, someone who could be trusted to walk alongside them o protect the nation from the clutches of warmongers. It was a national cause in which veterans participated, therefore, it was natural for the public to feel aggrieved and the White House to rise up to take some concrete measures to ameliorate the deteriorating confidence in the State.
But the Indian veterans’ actions smack of parochialism. If only, they could align themselves more with people’s concerns. If only they could make efforts towards getting closer to the society at large, perhaps they would not have to rue the fact that the politicians turn a deaf ear to their valid demands.
Currently, the Indian armed forces community is neither fully a part of the government’s decision making apparatus nor is it fully a part of civil society. Conscious effort will have to be made to abolish terms like “bloody civilians” from military parlance. It is only then that the Indian public will respond in the same manner as the American public responds to their military (In the US Presidential elections, candidates’ often flaunt their military service to seek the approval of the electorate). It is to be understood by the veterans that bureaucrats will never move the files in their favour and the politicians will continue to pussyfoot. It is only the civil society, which can put pressure on the government. And for the civil society to take up cudgels on behalf of the veterans, the veterans will have to show solidarity whenever the civil society comes out on the streets for a just national cause. Now some may argue that this could lead to greater militarism of the society or vice versa the military may get more civilianised in the long run. But the fact is that the civil-military amalgamation never leads to erosion of democratic ethos. In fact such interactions only help to make the country stronger.
On the contrary, when the military tries to reach closer to the seat of power, the threat to democracy gets exacerbated and becomes dangerous. It is high time that the Indian military began understanding that the ambit of civil-military relationship extends beyond the narrow confines of flag ranks equations vis-a-vis their counterparts in the civil services.


Atul Bhardwaj Editor Salute is a retired Naval officer. He can be contacted at atul.salute@gmail.com





Vice Admiral Harinder Singh
C 26, Sector 23, Noida 201301
Tel 0120-2412412, 9811668776