SCPC: ESM Assemble for Justice at Lucknow 06 July 2008

1. The ESM of Lucknow assembled at the 'Shaheed Smaarak Park' at 10 am on the 6th July 2008. The sky was overcast, and, still the gathering was almost a hundred.
2. Support/ participation of the state Vice President of the Ex Servicemen League – Wg Cdr Gufran Ahmad - was a big indication of unity. Representation of another 8 localized ESM groups, in addition to the Poorva Sainik Seva Parishad (PSSP -supported by the BJP) also remained heartening.
3. Large number of ESM from the UP Poorva Sainik Kalyan Nigam also gathered, just as it was a Sunday; and they were free from their duties– as security guards at different establishments/ offices/ banks etc.
4. To begin with, Maj Gen K. K. Ohri 'AVSM' and four other Offrs/ JCOs/ NCOs paid homage to the unknown martyrs.
5. Brig D N Varma,VSM enlightened the gathering about the rationale/ details of our first set of demands; while Col Vijay Deep stressed the need for tackling the root cause of the issues affecting us, at the macro level.
6. The efforts of Sub Maj Hari Govind Singh must get highlighted for spreading awareness amidst maximum ESM organizations of Lucknow cantonment and adjoining areas.
7. Lt Col Ashok Kumar highlighted the dedication of Brig C S Kamboj, in this crusade. He referred to Brig Kamboj as the grand father of this awakening for unity amidst services and ranks.
8. Reporters from media (Channel 9x)/ news papers sought our next move if the government didn't pay heed to our disciplined representations.
9. They were told that we shall continue with this graceful style only, and were certain of getting the support of the entire nation coming to pressurize the government for acceding to our genuine demands for the sake of national security.
10. An ad-hoc steering committee, for the I ESM Movement, was formed at the end of the gathering, headed by Brig. D N Varma VSM.
11. A select team, of the gathering handed over the 'Hindi' (translated) and 'English' memorandum to be forwarded by the CM (U.P.) for the PM, through the DM Lucknow.
12. The next meeting of the 'Lucknow' Steering Committee is scheduled for Sunday, the 27th July 2008.

A quarter column report, on page 2, of TOI Lucknow, dated 07th July 2008 covered the event of 6th July very well. [Soft copy of this is also awaited – to be forwarded.]
The 'Hindi' paper 'Dainik Jagran' also gave a brief account of the event and handing over of the memorandum, in its issue dated 07th July 2008.