Thursday, March 4, 2010

Cry My Beloved Country by Lt Gen SK Bahri

Sir,
This morning I read in the newspapers that in reply to Mr LK Advani's question regarding `One Rank One Pension' (OROP) for Ex Servicemen (ESM) the PM was miserly with the truth when he told the House that "whatever the Govt promised has been implemented". It is eight months since the Finance Minister announced that" the longstanding demand of OROP of ESM is being implemented and allocated Rs 2140 crores. But no one has been given a sausage so far. Secondly, the PM and FM do not seem to want to understand the meaning of OROP despite numerous representations being submitted to everyone giving the definition and the basis for demanding it.

The second news item is regarding the recommendation by our elected representatives that the highest reward the country can give ie., the Bharat Ratna, be awarded to Sachin Tendulkar. I too agree that some such award should be awarded to him as he is an icon that our youngsters should model themselves on. But what happens to the conscience of our lawmakers when they cannot bring themselves to recommend Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw for the Bharat Ratna. Isnt it time that all the elected representatives across party lines, in Central and State legislatures, demand from the government in power to make amends immediately. Is it that the soldier who brings glory and victory to the country can never measure up to the highest award? Or is it that the Field Marshal deserves a higher award that has yet to be instituted?


Lt Gen SK Bahri (Retd)
A3/502 World Spa East
Sector 30/41
Gurgaon 122001
0124 4143180/181
Mob +91 981000 2800

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