Retired and Forgotten: Readers Responses

Dear Fellow Veterans, Mr. Thapar,
I am truly grateful to Mr. Thapar for this exceptional piece that he has written for our mission. With great journalists such as Mr. Thapar we still have hope that journalism still remains a noble profession and that not the entire media has become a government propaganda. As also I am grateful to Brig Kamboj for 'reporting-the-signal' all across the mission and its members. I truly am.

In this article by Mr. Thapar, the one point that I'd like to emphasize on is the rampant use of the word 'consider' by our politicians and bureaucrats. They have been 'considering' the OROP demand since the beginning of time. This 'consideration' has been a part of almost all parties' pre-election manifestos. And when they go up for re-elections, here it is again, the promise that they will 'consider' the OROP issue.

The way I see it, it is not even an 'artful play of words' as Mr. Thapar puts it. This word 'consider' has become the symbol of the deaf ears of our cold hearted politicians- the politicians and governments who cannot, from their high offices, see the obvious and cannot hear the loudest of voices.

But as determined as we all are, there is no rest until we can get these politicians and bureaucrats out of their high offices and and make them bite this word that they use so agonizingly often - 'consider'.

As for me, I remain committed to this mission with everything that I have. We will win because we can and also because we must...
Jai Hind.
Kameshwar Pandey
Sub/ Maj Hony Lt (Retd)

Subject: Retired and forgotten...and CNBC TV 18.THANKS A TON..Mr.Karan Thapar
Dear Mr. Karan,
It was a wonderful article to read on a sunday morning coming from none other than our Old Comrade son's Karan Thapar son of one of the finest General's of the Indian Army. It was written with your heart felt feelings for the old Veterans.
Also the interview aired on 20 Feb and 23 Feb 2009 on CNBC TV 18 was as interesting and motivating as it could be. The only difference was that there were 3 Generals in your group ....2 actually retired ones Kadyan and Surjit Singh and the 3rd was you even though you ant going to get OROP....your love and feelings for the uniform was as clear as anything.....am sure your parents would be proud of what you are doing for us the Ex Service clan....
You have infused fresh Oxygen into the movement and if at all one day some thing frutifies it would be because of your these 2 acts above.
Am sure you would continue to give us the Ex Service men due media coverage as you are doing today which we require very much for the long battle ahead.
Jai Hind
Regards and Best Wishes
Cdr Sharan Ahuja (Retd)
Member Core Group IESM

Dear Brigadier Kamboj,
Thats an ecxellent article by Karan Thapar. He has won the hearts of us all. He has been crisp, to the point, precise and has hit the nail on the head. Last para is really hiting hard on Judiciary, legislature, Executive and the 'Babus'. Higher Judiciary decided our issue and was not able to see or intentionally did not see our view point - why because higher judiciary is itself not denied 'OROP'. They would brush aside us for the same reason - why because they have the power to do so. CJI YK Sabharwal rightly said "Not that the Apex Court is always right but that the Apex COurt is always final".

Let's resolve today "NOT TO VOTE FOR ANY ONE" this General Elections as a mark of protest. At least I have so resolved. Not that it may matter. But it is to show my protest. Such protest would make a News and all and sundry in the Country would get to know why we are so protesting. Time and opportunity is right for "PROTEST" in such a manner. You may seek others views in this. If it is accepted we must act fast in spreading the message across.
Please do convey my heartful thanks and appreciation to Karan.
With kind regards,
Lt Col MG Kapoor, Veteran, Advocate in Delhi High Court