Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Contributions to IESM

Dear Col Anand sir

Gen Kadyan is outstation for some time and may not have seen your mail.

Thank you very much for supporting the cause of veterans and inturn appreciating the efforts of IESM. Wg Cdr CK Sharma treasurer will soon contact you to streamline the procedure of your good offer of your support to IESM in the form of Rs 500 per month till grant of OROP. I genuinely appreciate your gesture and hope many more veterans will emulate this gesture. Could you kindly provide the details to Wg Cdr CK Sharma.

I take this opportunity to appeal to all veterans to come forward and be counted in the fight of veterans for justice and OROP. Please emulate the example of Col LK Anand and donate generously for sustaining the struggle for OROP.

Wg Cdr CK Sharma; I request you to kindly get in touch with Col LK Anand and streamline the procedure for his donation to the cause.

Thankyou very much

Regards

Gp Capt VK Gandhi VSM
Gen Sec IESM
L - 48, Sector - 25,
NOIDA. 201301
Tele no 01204313951
Mobile 09810541222

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

ESM SITREP 16 SEP EVENING

ESM SITREP 16 SEP EVENING
Dear Colleagues,
The IESM Governing body had a meeting this evening from 1730 to 2030 hours. It was attended by CK Sharma, Vinod Gandhi, Parvesh Renjen, Aditya Jaini, Sharan Ahuja, Rakesh Chaturvedi and self. Minutes will be prepared and disseminated shortly. Gist of major decisions is:

•The existing methods have shown positive results and should continue

•In view of the government having conceded our demand for a separate pay commission, the PM should be approached to constitute the pay commission at the earliest without waiting for the Seventh Pay Commission

•Support of maximum Number of MsP should be garnered before the winter session of the Parliament.
We welcome the following members into the IESM fold: -
1. Rear Admiral Ravi Kshetrapal
2. Air Cmde Badhwar
3. Cmde MR Khan
4. AVM JS Sisodia
5. Shri Gulshan Kalra – supporter
We also compliment Aditya Jaini for being the motivator.
Best regards,
Lt Gen (Emeritus) Raj Kadyan, PVSM, AVSM, VSM
Chairman IESM

OROP Campaign
We acknowledge that the IESM has a difficult campaign (OROP) ahead, but if it can continue to develop its membership – and we know the cause is popular and just – then it stands a far better chance of quick success. Presently it is run by people who recognize that, and are prepared to work at it, and certainly IESM will go from strength to strength. The NDTV OROP Program is an eye opener and one perceives the hurdles one need to surmount before Rank, Honour, Status and Equitable Pension are granted to all Retired Military Personnel. The alternative is a continuation of the steady decline as we have seen other Ex Servicemen Organisations who have a great structure but no substance! Therefore it is imperative all ESM join hands to espouse for a common cause to benefit every stream of our fraternity.

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

NDTV: OROP- 12 Sep 2010..The backstage story by Hony Lt Pandey

Hony Lt Pandey at the NDTV show on 12 Sep 2010

Hony Lt Pandey


My Dear Respected Sirs and Colleagues,
In my opinion, the recent NDTV show on OROP was a success in many ways. Thanks to the internet, mostly everyone on RMS has been able to see the recording of the show which was finally aired after significant edit. The show has been already discussed, criticized, appreciated and everything in between. We should, however, realize that the show was conducted by NDTV (a standard sponsor funded and government pleasing TV News Channel) and not by IESM. So the participants had little control on the way it was being conducted, IESM included.

What I wanted to draw everybody's attention to is the real scenario at the studio while the said program was being recorded. I would also mention why the knowledge of the studio environment is important for everyone to know.

There is a very specific term in the media fraternity known as 'Sensitization'. What it means is that a certain group of people is 'sensitized' or made aware of the issues, problems and challenges faced by another community/group/part of the public. NGOs, corporations and even governments spend significant sums of money to mould the opinion of the target masses in their favor by doing such campaigns.

Now at the NDTV studio, something similar to that, on a smaller scale, was carried out by Col Joshipura Sir and self before the program started. We made small huddles of other participants of the discussion and told them what OROP really is and why its such a gross injustice towards our veterans. Especially the younger lot in the audiences seemed to understand this concept very easily. Probably because they have an open mind and do not have any vested interests in actions against the defence forces.

What we were able to accomplish by this, even before the program started, was that almost everyone in the studio (minus the vested interests) was already on our side. You had to see it to believe it. One word, and I mean one word, against OROP or the veterans was not tolerated by the crowd. This was primarily the reason why Capt. Davar was unable to complete even one single sentence properly. And why the others (the lady IAS and others) were scared to say anything against us. They were making attempts but they were scared. You can see it on their faces.

The environment in the studio was mostly split in two emotions -- Anger and Disappointment. Disappointment that the government which is supposed to take care of the military that takes care of the nation is so brutally ignoring the very men and women that gave the nation the best years of their lives. Anger - because if something is not done soon, something is got to give...

Gen Kadyan and Sh. Uday Bhaskar as well as Sh. Rajeev Chandrashekhar were calm, composed and organized like they always are and put forward the points in an effective way despite provocation by the bureaucrats and co. Self, with help from the audience, provided some artillery fire!

What you all must also know and understand is the fact that since certain of the panel's individuals were direct representatives of the government (Capt Davar included) and so they were being given a LOT LOT LOT of footage. It was easily visible. On the contrary when our people were speaking, they were getting the mic literally for seconds! It was frustrating but hey, you have to make the best of what you have, right!

Now you can ask me why is this important at all? When it was not captured by the cameras and not aired on television why is this even worth talking about.

To answer that, I will have to direct your attention to another specific term used in advertising. Its called 'viral marketing'. This is a well known fact that viral marketing is on of the most effective and fastest spreading modes of publicity. What it means is that news/opinion is spread virally from one person to another then to another then to another. Also known as word of mouth publicity.

Now NDTV can edit out the conversations which were taking place in the background and through the microphone. They can choose to not air the parts many of us spoke. But what they cannot take away from us is the stir we created in those 50 or so people present in that room. They cannot take away the fresh and new perspective and knowledge that they now have about the armed forces, the government, how we are being treated and the white lies the government sells. especially the younger people and other ESM not yet associated with IESM.

And guess what, this is going to spread virally. From one person to another from one mouth to another. From a youth to another youth. And while this might seem or sound insignificant at this time, this will go a long way in strengthening our movement from the inside. To strengthen the roots of this mission. To connect with the youth and the general public.

Speaking to people at the studio was specially effective because they were all well educated and well connected people and probably keep interacting with many people. So that will help.

Once again the program, in my opinion was very successful. Of course, as with everything, it could have been better as some have pointed out. But I think it was good and I think the message was sent across. I do hope that such programs keep happening and that we reach our goal at the earliest.

I thank you for taking the time to go through this email. Much appreciated.
Yours truly,
Kameshwar Pandey
Sub/Maj Hony Lt (Veteran)

Views of Gp Capt VK Gandhi..Gen Secy IESM

From: Vinod Gandhi [mailto:vk_gandhi@yahoo.com]
Sent: 14 September 2010 00:29
To: DELETED
Subject: NDTV DEBATE ON OROP ON 12 SEP 2010-CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL



Dear All

The show of discussion on OROP by NDTV has gone very well. Congratulations to all the participants and to all those who have worked to prepare the information for the participants.

Brig Nawab has put forward a very good point that we should do 'HUKA PANI BAND' of any veteran who is found working against the welfare of veterans despite his affiliations to any organisation. I request to all organisations spread all over India to please boycott all those who are working against the welfare of veterans. Let us all united or otherwise channel our resources only in one direction to get OROP for veterans.

This is the time to strike and let us all put our best foot forward (despite our different organisations) and put unsurmountable pressure on the Govt so that the Govt agrees to OROP and all other demands.

Regards

Gp Capt VK Gandhi VSM
Gen Sec IESM
L - 48, Sector - 25, NOIDA. 201301
Tele no 01204313951, Mobile 09810541222

Pls see IESM latest NEWS on http://www.iesm.org

IF YOU SEE SOMEONE WITHOUT A SMILE GIVE HIM ONE OF YOURS

WELL DONE VALIANT SOLDIERS OF BHARAT VARSH.

Dear Friends,
Jai Hind.

Kindly read the emails appended below.
On behalf of YOU ALL, ‘i’ congratulate Lt Cdr Avtar Singh and his team for their victory in the pension case of Majors and Equivalents.

WELL DONE VALIANT SOLDIERS OF BHARAT VARSH.

BUT WHAT A PITY –
OUR SUPREME COMMANDER, THE PRESIDENT OF INDIA, THE PM, RM AND THE BABUS FORCED US TO DO THIS.

DOES THE COUNTRY WANT US TO PROTECT ITS BORDERS OR SPEND OUR EFFORTS TO PROTECT OUR SELVES FROM THE CHEATS AROUND US?

ARE THE POLITICIANS OF INDIA LISTENING???

Cdr Avtar and his team has put one more stamp of “BIG SHAME” on the face of MoD and that gang, called “Babus”, who have been shamelessly and deliberately doing injustice to the ESM.

Jai Ho ESM Unity.

I request all ESM to give widest possible publicity to the contents of this email.

Please also print relevant portions of this email put on notice boards in Officers Clubs, Community Centres, CSD and ECHS Poly Clinics.
In service of Indian Military Veterans
Chander Kamboj.
PS – Those of you, who receive my emails after being redirected from your friends, and wish to be on direct emailing list, should please send me an email on my ID kamboj_cs@yahoo.co.in . All Ranks and their spouse, of All Three Services, located anywhere in the world are welcome.
You must give following information in your email –
1. Your number rank and name as per service records.
2. Your postal address and phone numbers.
3. Some more information required will be asked later.
-------------

From: avtar singh avtar_singh10@hotmail.com
Subject: Major Case with AFT Delhi
To:
Cc: DELETED
Date: Tuesday, 14 September, 2010, 1:48 PM
Dear All,

I am pleased to inform you that we have won the case filed with AFT Delhi

Regards

Avtar Singh
14-9-2010
------------

Monday, September 13, 2010

NDTV programme on 12 Sep 2010

Pension for ex-Armymen: A question of equality?


Barkha Dutt and Lt Gen V Oberoi


Mr Rajeev Chandrashekhar..MP


Mr Manvendra Singh..MP



Lt Gen Raj Kadyan

Appel to Ms Sonia Gandhi

Dear Friends


Letter to Smt. Sonia Gandhi, Congress President dated 14 Sep 2010 and copy endorsed to PM, RM and three chiefs is circulated herewith.

With Kind Regards,

Jai Hind
Yours Sincerely,

Maj Gen (Retd) Satbir Singh, SM
Vice Chairman Indian ESM Movement
Mobile: 9312404269, 0124-4110570
Email : satbirsm@gmail.com


………………………….

To Date: 14 Sep 2010


Smt. Sonia Gandhi
Congress President & UPA Chairperson
10 Janpath
New Delhi -11


AN APPEAL TO MRS SONIA GANDHI TO GRANT JUSTICE
TO THE DEFENCE PERSONNEL

Dear Madam,


1. We the veteran defence personnel of India appeal to you for your personal intervention to grant justice to the Defence Personnel. The Govt has not only not considered our genuine demands but has adopted indifferent attitude towards us. The manner the Govt is contesting the Court Rulings given in favour of Defence Personnel, reveal its intentions and attitude towards our demands.

2. The main demand of “One Rank One Pension” (OROP) which means Same Rank-Same Length of Service-Same Pension irrespective of the date of retirement.The All party Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence with the strength of 31 MPs while tabling its report on 07th May 2010 has strongly recommended grant of OROP to the Defence Personnel holistically. Over four months have passed, the Govt has not taken decision on this important demand of Defence Personnel having for reaching consequences on the profession of aims. The chairman of the Defence Committee Sh Satpal Ji Maharaj has once again written a letter to Defence Minister on 27 Aug 2010 strongly recommending the grant of OROP (Copy attached).

3. Majority of the 740 MPs support our demand of OROP, however it is reliably learnt that one or two senior bureaucrats in the Govt want to teach lesson to the veteran soldiers for airing their views in public, depositing medals and signing memorandum to the Supreme Commander in blood. A copy of the letter of Sh.Rajeev Chandrashekar and independent MP written to the PM on not accepting the enhancement of pension of MPs till OROP is granted to the Defence Personnel is enclosed for your perusal please.

4. While passing a very significant and important order, the Supreme Court has asked the Govt to consider setting up of Separate Independent Commission headed by a retired judge both for serving and retired members of the Armed Forces. A bench comprising of Justice Markandey Katju and T. S. Thakur asked Attorney General GE Vahanvati and Solicitor General Gopal Subramanium to forward the suggestion to the Govt and get its response by October 18, the next date of hearing of the rank pay case. The following other observations have been made by the Supreme Court:-


(a) The forces are disciplined, that is the reason why they do not hold violent rallies. BUT THEY ARE RETURNING MEDALS IN PROTEST. They have done so much for the country, but they get a feeling that bureaucrats don’t hear them.

(b) There is discontentment amongst the serving and the retired armed forces personnel highlighted by recent return of medals, burning of artificial limbs and fratricidal assaults.

(c) Armed Forced have many grievances which are not being properly addressed by the Union Govt.

(d) SC slammed the Govt for making Defence personnel run from pillar to post for getting their salary disputes resolved. “The day the soldiers are forced to fight for their salaries, it would be a sad day for the country, the bench remarked”.

5. The above order of the SC bench and its observations clearly reveal apathy, neglect and negative attitude of the Govt and bureaucracy towards the grievances of pay and pensions of Defence Personnel.

6. Madam Sonia Gandhi, we the defence personnel are asking for equity and justice which the Govt should have considered and granted to us. The Supreme Court in its order on 08 Sep 2010 critisised the Govt for making the defence personnel run from pillar to post for getting their salary disputes resolved. The apex court said the sane advice of Chanakya was valid even today and it was unfortunate that army personnel are forced to knock the doors of the court for rectifying their salary anomalies”. However, SC graciously did not mention the complete quote of Kautalya to the King Maurya given 2000 year back. Excerpt from a letter from Kautilya to Emperor Chandragupta Maurya, mentioned in the formers 'Arthashastra', about 2000 years ago. “Pataliputra rests each night in peaceful comfort, O King, secure in the belief that the distant borders of Magadha are inviolate and the interiors are safe and secure, thanks only to the Mauryan Army standing vigil with naked swords and eyes peeled for action, day and night, in weather fair and foul, all eight pahars (round the clock), quite unmindful of personal discomfort and hardship, all through the year, year after year.
To this man, O Rajadhiraja, you owe a debt: please, therefore, see to it, suo motu, that the soldier continuously gets his dues in every form and respect, be they his needs or his wants, for he is not likely to ask for them himself. The day the soldier has to demand his dues will be a sad day for Magadha for then, on that day, you will have lost all moral sanction to be King!”

7. Madam we feel the Govt must be considerate towards the armed forces who are the strongest pillar of our democracy and once again appeal to you to intervene in the matter and ask the Govt to grant OROP at the earliest.

With Kind Regards,

Jai Hind
Yours Sincerely,

Maj Gen (Retd) Satbir Singh, SM
Vice Chairman Indian ESM Movement
Mobile: 9312404269, 0124-4110570
Email : satbirsm@gmail.com


Copy to :-

Mr Manmohan Singh
Hon’ble
Prime Minister Of India
7 Race Course Road
New Delhi 110011




Sh. A.K. Antony,
Defence Minister,
104, South Block,
New Delhi

Gen Vijay Kumar Singh, PVSM, AVSM, YSM, ADC
Chief of the Army Staff
Integrated HQs of Armed Forces (Army)
South Block, New Delhi-110011


Admiral Nirmal Kumar Verma, PVSM, AVSM, ADC
Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee and
Chief of the Naval Staff
Integrated HQs of Armed Forces (Navy)
South Block, New Delhi-110011


Air Chief Marshal P V Naik, PVSM, VSM, ADC
Chief of the Air Staff
Integrated HQs of Armed Forces (Air Force)
Vayu Bhawan, New Delhi-110011


__._,_.___

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Leh Donations


LEH RELIEF
Dear Friends,

1. Further to email dated 23 Aug 2010 as given below. The under mentioned additional cheques received at IESM HQ for LEH RELIEF.

Cheque Received at IESM HQ Ser NoRank and Name Amount (in Rs) Cheque/DD/Cash
1.Prof. Archandeep Dixit Rs.2500 086815 dt 18 Aug 2010
2.Lt Col R.K Chawla Rs.1000 779197 dt 15 Aug 2010
3.Lt Col J K Kachari Rs.1100 255444 dt 16 Aug 2010
4.Lt Col Gautam S Prasad Rs. 10000 001122 dt 20 Aug 2010
5.Col B Bhattacharya Rs.2000 195297 dt 21 Aug 2010
6.Brig Kuldeep Verma Rs.3000 By Cash
7.Col JL Chatterji Rs.1000 258894 dt 18 Aug 2010
8.Col S V Jayachandaran Rs.501 501215 dt 20 Aug 2010
9.Wing Cdr S P Chaudhary Rs. 1000 887001 dt 13 Aug 2010
10.Wing Cdr Jagmohan Singh Kundan Rs. 1000 468714 dt25 Aug 2010
11.Commander T N Singhal Rs.5000 695928 dt 23 Aug 2010
12.Brig Thyaga Rajan Rs. 1000 277693 dt 18 Aug 2010
13.Jay Prakas Chhetry (Nibbana Co-Operative Housing Society Ltd)Rs. 101 630774 dt 13 Aug 2010
14.Col Aloke Rudra Rs.2000 106014 dt 26 Aug 2010
Total Rs.30302


Donate generously and motivate others.

With Regards,

Jai Hind
Yours Sincerely,

Maj Gen (Retd) Satbir Singh, SM
Vice Chairman Indian ESM Movement
Mobile: 9312404269, 0124-4110570