12 Jan 2009, 0217 hrs IST, TNN
Bangalore : Colonel S S Rajan, 64, a veteran of the 1971 Indo-Pakistan war and convenor of the Indian Ex-Servicemen Movement (IESM), left Bangalore on January 11 for Himachal Pradesh to persuade young people to join the army, navy and air force. He'll travel by a van through Pune, Ahmedabad, Jaipur and Delhi.
"There is a growing sense of resentment among ex-servicemen in India due to years of neglect and apathy by the government. The issues relate to pension and resettlement problems," Rajan said. "Seeing ex-servicemen lead a life of neglect and penury, youths think a career in the armed forces is hopeless."
But in the backdrop of a sense of insecurity prevailing in the country, consequent to terrorist strikes, there is a need to motivate youths to join the force. Also, IESM has organized a relay hunger strike to support its long-standing demand for grant of `One Rank, One Pension' at Jantar Mantar, Delhi. The hunger strike entered the 25th day on Sunday.
"Our country belongs to a young generation. We require more youths to join the armed forces," Rajan said.
In November 2001, he had taken up a journey, accompanied by a van that had a TV set and VCD player. He visited villages, towns, marketplaces, and especially schools and colleges, where he showed video clips of army sky-divers to young people.
He narrated adventure stories that form the core of the lives of army personnel. "I received an overwhelming response from students."
Rajan will also undertake a `padayatra' of approximately 500 km in Himachal Pradesh in March to ask ex-servicemen to join IESM.
1971 Indo-Pak war veteran on the drive
Filling the submarine gap
3 days ago
No comments:
Post a Comment