VETERANS ON RELAY HUNGER STRIKE - NATION MUST HANG ITS HEAD IN SHAME

Veterans on relay hunger strike – Nation must hang its head in shame.

The Hon.RM said that the soldier does not command as much respect in time of peace as much he commands during the time of war. True, but I will go a little further that the Soldier is deified while the nation goes to war; but, gets reduced to the state of wiped toilet paper, which you don’t look  at twice, when in peace.

This is exactly what we are witnessing presently. Those who guarded the boundaries, be it air, sea or land even at the risk of their life are  now lamentably reduced to the status of beggars making them to  forsake even food. SHAME , on the rulers of this nation, Bharath ie India.

Even the veteran’s relay hunger strike does not get enough  space in the electronic or print media. Perhaps the event got eclipsed due to “SUSWARAJE” Tsunami. Whether the event deserved such mega coverage is a point for debate.

Personally speaking, I feel it was a political ploy with some agenda cleverly concealed. Whatever it may be the result of that politically manipulated earth quake literally destroyed the importance of veteran’s war for their right.

Only one electronic media gave space for OROP where in Mr. Karan Thappar conducted a discussion on the subject involving Mr. Prasad, FRMR Def. Secy.,Gen S Roy Choudhary,Frmr Chief of Army staff, Lt.Gen. Raj Kadiyan and Mr. Jay Narayan Vyas, spokes person of BJP.

Three  panelists mentioned first totally agreed that the matter is now out of the realm of definition, modalities of payment and search for source of funding and the decision to implement has been  taken and the lone decision now the tme of implementation. The political person, as usual sung the same old song “OROP” will be implemented but refused to give a firm date for it.

I would urge all concerned to carefully analyze the words of former chief.

Mr. Thappar also brought out the lurking danger in the thinking of Finance Ministry which would adversely affect personnel below officers rand. He said that if FM Version of definition is accepted the AAM AADMI OF DEFENCE FORCES i.e PBOR will be at a disadvantage.

The discussion also brought out our nagging suspicion that the issue may be referred to VII CPC. He referred to an article  in a newspaper to substantiate his doubt.

We have been apprehensive of this turn of event since long. The silly reasons of proper definition, modalities, complicated calculations etc now indicate this mindset of the Govt.

My only appeal is ‘PLEASE DO NOT TAKE US FOR A RIDE’ Enough is enough. We have had enough and dot not test the patience any more

JWO(retd) Sukumaran Nair R.V