Veterans' Vishal Rally to protest against Centre's apathy

Be a proud Veteran and take part in the rally.

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LET US ALL STAND SHOULDER TO SHOULDER

AND FIGHT AGAINST INJUSTICE TO

INDIAN MILITARY VETERANS

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IT IS NOW OR NEVER

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Veterans under the banner of the Indian Ex-Servicemen Movement (IESM) will hold a Vishal Rally at New Delhi's Jantar Mantar on Sunday to protest against the Centre's ''apathy and negative attitude'' towards their genuine demands the principal one being 'One Rank One Pension'.

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''Thereafter, a delegation will leave for Rashtrapati Bhavan to deposit gallantry and Distinguished Service medals and a memorandum signed in blood to the Supreme Commander of the Indian Armed Forces,'' IESM Vice-Chairman Major-General (Retd) Satbir Singh, Sena Medal, said in a release.

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IESM Chairman Lieutenant-Gen Raj Kadyan, Param Vishisht Seva Medal, AVSM, VSM, has already written to President Pratibha Devisingh Patil to accept the medals and the memo herself.

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On seven earlier occasions, the veterans sought to return their medals to the Supreme Commander but the President has never granted them audience. The veterans have decided that in case the President does not accept the medals and the memo in person they will bring these back. The Rally will be conducted from 1000 hrs to 1500 hrs.

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''Despite veterans' peaceful protests across the country for the past over 30 months, depositing of over 22,000 medals besides memoranda signed in blood by over 1.5 lakh veterans and numerous missives to and meetings with the Prime Minister, Defence Minister and other authorities, the Centre has not accepted genuine demands,'' Maj-Gen Singh alleged.

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The Armed Forces tribunals, formed with a lot of ''fanfare'' to provide speedy justice to both serving and retired personnel, have been reduced to ''toothless'' tigers by the bureaucracy by not giving these the powers to initiate contempt proceedings against non-implementation of judgements.

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This is evidenced by the fact that out of 4,000 judgements, 3600 -- which were in personnel's favour -- have not witnessed implementation.

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''Establishment of the Armed Forces Grievances Redressal Commission, comprising two retired judges and two senior retired defence officers, was ordered by the Supreme Court and was to be operational by January 14. But till now, the Commission has not been rendered operational at ground level,'' Maj-Gen Singh pointed out.

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It was extremely ''disturbing'' to know that personnel's widows were left out from the enhancement of pensions of junior commissioned officers and jawans carried out through a Government notification dated March 8, 2010.

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''The Centre's indifferent attitude towards the Armed Forces is unexplainable especially keeping in mind the hostile environment prevailing on our borders both at land and sea. A nation to survive in such a hostile environment has to keep its forces well-equipped, well-trained, motivated and contented. These aspects need to be holistically addressed,'' he added.

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An article published by UNI,

received from Shree Abhijit C Chandra,

Chief Sub-Editor UNI

jollyrogerflieshigh@yahoo.co.uk

We want it to be a

VISHAL RALLY –

and it cannot be

VISHAL

unless YOU ALL participate.

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Once again I wish to remind ALL VETERANS in NCR, please participate in the Indian Military Veterans’ rally at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi, from 10.00 AM to 3.00PM on 06 Mar 11.
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We want it to be a VISHAL RALLY – and it cannot be VISHAL unless YOU ALL participate.
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Do not look for excuses to miss it – be a proud Indian Military Veteran and participate.
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In the past also from Lt Generals and equivalents downwards to a soldier, rating, airman and widows all have attended.You are also one of the categories mentioned above – why should you not attend??? Shrug that shyness and dress up for the Rally.
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For your convenience a map of the area where the Indian Military Veterans rally is being held is given below

Best way to travel in Delhi would be by Metro.
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Either get down at Patel Chowk Metro Station, from where the site is 300 metres or get down at Rajeev Chowk (Connaught Place) Metro Station from where the site is 1 km.
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Preferable Dress.
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Please feel free to wear dress of your liking, but if convenient please wear your Regimental Mufti with side cap or wear any Service insignia which will distinguish you as a Military Veteran.
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It is important to impress upon the media and the public that we are Indian Military Veterans and not some ordinary people.

“Fighting For Justice to Defence Services”

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Site Administration
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True to traditions of the Defence Services - adequate administrative arrangements for seating, water, tea, very simple lunch and toilets are being made at the site. We will make you as comfortable as we can.
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PLEASE – help in keeping the place neat and tidy and ensure the tea cups etc are not littered around – be a volunteer to help us in this task.
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Vande Matram
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In service of Indian Military Veterans
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Chander Kamboj.