Dear Lalit,
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We have been doing that regularly. Have also written to some to emulate Rajeev. We hope some will follow. The success will lie in ESM across India persuading their local MPs, MLAs to do so. Many amongst us have personal contacts with opoliticians, particularly the ESM politicians. They need to get into the act with commitment.
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I also believe that while many MPs are raising questions about our issues in the two houses (some CMs and MLAs have also written to the PM), we need to stress on these MPs that they should demand that the Govt should speak to those who are returning medals and signing petitions in blood (The IESM) to find an acceptable solution. The politicians are not anti - Forces and anti - Vetrans. They are being mis-informed and mis-led by the bureaucrats. IESL is their "tattoo" and can offer no views which will be acceptable to the ESM at large. The Govt (bureaucrats) dont want the politicians to talk to the IESM (argument that IESL is recognised Vs IESM which is not recognised is a bogey). The only way to ensure that the political leaders understand our anguish and concerns is through a direct dialogue. That, under the present circumstances, can only happen through pressure by MPs in the Parliament. So, the importance of stressing on the amenable MPs to press the Govt to talk to those who are agitating - the IESM.
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God Bless,
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Pravesh Renjen
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My Dear Pravesh,
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I am really not too convinced with your reasoning. Your mail raises mainly two issues.
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Firstly, that you are hoping against hope that a few MPs would follow Rajeev and expecting that ESMs around the country would try and influence MLAs and MPs in their respective states and raise the issue in the parliament through them. Such reasoning may have many loop holes and the MPs may not be on the same net as we would like them to be. If this is our thinking and approach then I think we might as well sit and relax and hope that some day it may come through at Gods own will. We may then have to wait and wait - may be ten years.
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I would however, like to ask you a direct question and that is : What is the difficulty or problem in addressing a self contained and convincing letter to all our MPs explaining them logic, justification as well as sentiments attached to our demand for OROP? The injustices heaped upon us may also be listed chronologically- since independence. I personally feel, it would clear a lot of doubts and misgivings in the the minds of our MPs. It may even help us to pull at least 30 to 40% to our side. No harm trying. But the letter has to be very very convincing indeed. I have a lot of confidence, that Maj Gen Satbir Singh would produce a really convincing letter with all justifications. We could also ask them "if they support our cause they could support our cause in the parliament also. It could culminate in a direct dialogue with all those who give a positive response to our letter to them. Here Mr Rajeev Chandrashekhar can play a positive role. If this happens then we could presume that half our battle is won. This matter could be debated also.
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Secondly, it appears to be the bogey of IESL. Who are IESL and how many are they? Are they satisfied with what the UPA-2 government has given to the veterans? Dont they also want OROP as any other veteran would like to have it? Are they not interested in sorting out the Rank Pay muddle? Why IESL and IESM can not present a single front to convince the government? Are we the veterans going to succumb to the policy of divide and rule - by following innumerable instances of this legacy obtaining in the Indian history? Is it not important to look into all these questions and find suitable answers and solutions. If we really feel that IESL is going against the interests of the veterans as a whole then we might as well have a meeting with their top brass and sort out the differences. I am sure there would be a number of understanding office bearers amongst the IESL. No point fighting for the cause separately. It may be good idea to either convince them or get convinced.
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Best wishes,
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Elkay
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