Caring for veterans and their families (English version) Rakshak News 01 Aug 19
http://www.rakshaknews.com/vishesh/such-may-be-the-care-of-ex-servicemen-and-their-families
Caring for veterans and their families (English version) Rakshak News 01 Aug 19
On Kargil Diwas, a report in a newspaper stated that a war hero from Kargil, Satpal Singh, who was awarded the Vir Chakra for bravery, was employed as a traffic policeman in Bhawanigarh, a small town in Sangrur district of Punjab. He joined Punjab Police on retirement and did not get any additional benefit for being a decorated war hero. His is not the only case, there would be many more veterans so employed or struggling for a job as they have family responsibilities and only a pension to survive on.
Simultaneously, there would be many widows of war heroes who may be receiving pensions but would be facing other uphill tasks including education or employment for their wards as they remain unaware of their entitlements and welfare schemes available to them.
While in the case of Satpal Singh, Punjab Chief Minister, Amarinder Singh acted immediately and promoted the war hero to Assistant Sub Inspector, the problems being faced by others will continue unless brought to fore. The units to whom the jawans belong would do their share, however the overall responsibility remains beyond their level.
Widows of armed forces veterans who are not operational casualties face greater apathy and neglect, despite the involvement of units. Multiple cells have been established for their welfare however families residing in remote areas remain unaware.
It is with this background that the army has dedicated 2019 as the ‘year of the next of kin (NOK).’
The major hurdle being faced by the army is lack of data on earlier retirees. Post 2000, the data is fairly accurate as digital records are available, while inaccuracy increases with time as the period before that is considered. While units remain in contact with veterans, post their demise contact with the NOK is lost, making interaction more difficult.
Requirements of NOKs also vary. For some it is the need for education for wards, for which schemes exist and can be utilized, while for others it is employment, for which limited assistance like pushing the wards through skill development can be done. However, sharing this information becomes insurmountable considering the spread of families. Many families are unaware of whom to approach for assistance.
The army chief, General Bipin Rawat, by pushing companies for sharing funds under their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme, has created a reasonable corpus available for welfare of families of veterans. By seeking to dedicate this year to the NOK, he has sought to bring about an upliftment in their life. Formations have been instructed to obtain details of cases which need assistance, which can then be handled by multiple agencies.
The year of the NOK has multiple objectives. It includes spreading awareness amongst families of their financial entitlements, welfare schemes and resolving any pension related queries. It also involves identifying families who are in need for financial aid and providing the same.
By drawing in various organizations including Sainik boards, banks, Nepal Embassy, welfare agencies and ECHS, all spreading the word and working in tandem under the Directorate of Indian Army Veterans, the army hopes to reach the masses. While it may not be able to cover the complete spread of veterans, it is hopeful that the message reaches and those in need come forward. It cannot bank on the government machinery at the state level as this initiative is their own.
The Directorate of Ex Servicemen Welfare in the MoD would remain in the loop and would only be involved where the interjection of state governments is concerned. This is because this initiative is that of the army and not the MoD.
If it must succeed, then the common Indian who has shown his love for the army should step forward to spread this message across the nation. The NOK must be made aware of what the army can do for them, as after all, it was their loved ones who stood for national security.
Anyone who has inputs on families of veterans needing assistance, financial, pension shortfalls or otherwise and unable to contact army authorities can pass the information to local army veteran cells spread across the country or to the Directorate of Indian army veterans in Delhi. Its helpline numbers are 1800116644, 011-25674762, 011-25674764 and 011-25674067.
About the Author
Maj Gen Harsha Kakkar
Retired Major General Indian Army