PRESS RELEASE: VETERAN, S CANDLE LIGHT RALLY AT SECTOR 17 CHANDIGARH 30 AUG (MONDAY) by Brig Nawab Singh

Dear All,

PLEASE REMEMBER YOU HAVE DATE AT SECTOR 17(OPP FOUNTAIN) ON 30 AUG AT 1930H WITH CANDLES AND MATCH STICK.PLEASE COME WITH FAMILY N FRIENDS ,LIGHT ONE CANDLE FOR OROP AND EXPRESS YOUR SOLIDARITY.PLEASE INFORM MAXIMUM OFFICERS IN YOUR TELE DIRECTORY AND MAILING LIST.
ENCLOSED IS PROPOSED PRESS RELEASE.ANYONE HAVING CONTACTS WITH MEDIA PL MAIL ONE .






PRESS RELEASE: VETERAN, S CANDLE LIGHT RALLY AT SECTOR 17 CHANDIGARH 30 AUG (MONDAY)

With recent developments in the parliament of sudden enhancement of MP, s pay by 300% and RM, s statement on “One Rank One Pension”, Veterans are once again agitated.MP; s pay rise has angered the public and the Media for having double standards. Most electronic media channels debated the issue where they preferred to call mostly Defense Officers for comments. Martial of The Air force Arjun Singh, Senior most Serving Officer of Defense Forces commented that he sat on Dharna after his retirement for OROP 25 years back at India Gate and Defense Forces pay anomalies are still existing. Media and citizens are arguing that MP,s enhanced their own emoluments by 300% with one day debate ,whereas Veterans have been fighting for it for the past 30 years.
Indian Exserviemen Movement which came up at national level in 2008,gave a call for OROP which really picked up momentum amongst ESM.They have deposited their 60000 medals with President,five lakh ESM have submitted memorandum to PM duly signed with their blood,they conducted rallies thought the country.Now they have decided to conduct candle light marches in all cities of India,finally culminating into rally at New Delhi from India Gate to Supreme court of India.
Large number of Veterans collected at Sector 17 –Fountain along with their families and Children.They were anguished on contradictory statements made by Defence Minister that, it will take long time to implement OROP,when MP,s enhanced their emoluments over night.There were almost 2000 Veterans carrying candles in their hands and lighting them close to Fountain with hope and determination to succeed.Who knows what Bureaucrats and politicians have designs in their hearts for them.It was very heartening to see that Media and Citizen were very supportive of their demands.
They have also declared that they plan to hold larger rally at Chandigarh War Memorial on 16 December at 11 AM onwards and declare 16 December that as “Veterans Day”. All Veterans will wear red Ribbons on their left pockets to show respect for martyred soldiers and determination to fight for injustices.Amongst Veterans were many very old Senior Generals.
Brig Nawab Singh.