THE HAND THAT GIVES

UTTARAKHAND EX SERVICEMAN LEAGUE – A JEWEL IN THE CROWN OF THE STATE

The people of the hill districts of Uttarkashi and Karanprayag who suffered great loss of life, animals and property in the devastating deluge that gripped the geographical territory of these regions, swear by the trust that they have in “the hand that gives” and is officially designated as the Uttarakhand Ex Serviceman League (UESL). The outstanding work done during the crisis by the troops of Garhwal Scouts, 9 Independent Mountain Brigade, 6 Mountain Divison, Uttarakhand Sub Area, Para Military Forces, Central Armed Police, Uttarakhand Police, Indian Air Force and staff of Nehru Institiute of Mountaineering (NIM) Uttarkashi, under the daring and inspiring leadership of its Principal Col Ajay Kothiyal, SC, KC, VSM has been etched into the hearts of the hill folks, who consider them to be their saviors. It was in the aftermath of the rescue operations and in the second phase of the effort of rehabilitation, that the UESL under the stewardship of its core group and the “go ahead” given by its President Lt Gen H B Kala, PVSM, SC, AVSM seized the initiative to reach out to the ill fated people, who were consumed by the unfortunate tragedy and calamity. Driven by an enduring passion to help and provide succor to those members of our society who are distressed by circumstances and natural catastrophe, Brig R S Rawat, VSM and his dedicated band of a handful of officers, mobilized funds and resources through voluntary donations from the Ex Servicemen Community (ESM), Corporate Houses, NGOs, Charitable and Welfare Organizations etc and provided relief material to include composite rations, blankets, lanterns, stoves, water filters, sweaters, balaclava caps, socks, mittens and copies and writing material for students. These stores and materials were transported to the afflicted areas, which had been identified earlier by a network of deputed ESM who live there and distributed through the conduit of the Gram Pradhans and Block Pramukhs. The UESL continues to remain committed to garner more funds through its dedicated fraternity of ESMs and provide more and more relief to those who are in need, in the upper reaches of this Himalayan region.

It was very heartening to notice during the Annual General Body Meeting (AGM) of the UESL held at Regent Hotel on 25^th Feb 2014, the resolve of the House to complement and support all efforts of the State and Central Government machinery, to alleviate the sufferings of the people who constitute the indigenous population of the Hill State. While there is no gainsaying about the Armed Forces being the last bastion of the Nation’s integrity and security, it is a truism that the veterans who abound Uttarakhand and elsewhere are equally up to the challenges which civil society faces, in times of natural disasters and manmade tragedies. This is not done as part of a financial compensation received for any and all services rendered, but instead exclusively done as an intrinsic self less commitment, as a payback to society and its less fortunate people. There is character written all over this dedication, without an ounce of expectation or else reward. Nation building is a process in which the ESM is always willing to contribute and enhance, because of their inherent sense of patriotism, discipline and having a sound mind in a healthy body. It was in such an emotionally elevated and surcharged atmosphere of patriotic fervor, that the House was subsumed by the narration of the scant respect and regard, which the bureaucracy and the political leadership of the State have for the veterans. The hurt and pain which flowed from the voices of many representatives who had come from far and wide in Uttarakhand, was an apt testimony of this sentiment. The Secretary to the Chief Minister (CM) did not do himself proud when he had the impudence to tell the President of the UESL, that he did not have time to arrange for a meeting of the latter with the former. Neither did the previous CM show any sense of punctuality, dignity or courtesy as is his wont, when he arrived 25 minutes late for a Vijay Diwas function, to celebrate the victory of the Indian Armed Forces in the 1971 Indo - Pak War and did not even greet the senior most officer who was present there, the President of UESL, Lt Gen Hira Ballabh Kala (retd), PVSM, SC, AVSM. How sick and pathetic can the bureaucracy and the political leadership of the State get? There were others who expounded on the ongoing controversy regarding the unauthorized sale of army lease land in Pattharchatta Farm, in which the State Government and its executives are in cahoots with the real estate mafia to make a financial kill, aimed at lining their deep pockets from the sale of this swathe of land. The spirit and motivation of those who are in the know of this subterfuge and manipulation and are firm in their stand to prevent the authorities from this willful loot and plunder, are none other than ESM who live there about. It was by and large a very sad commentary which unfolded itself in the House and evoked some very passionate and strong responses. Nonetheless, it goes to the credit of the UESL that, notwithstanding the scurrilous manner in which the bureaucracy and political leadership of the State exposes itself and treats one of its most valued human resource, the ESM that, there was an unanimous consensus on putting our shoulders together and contribute in whatsoever manner we can, to come to the aid of the lackluster political leadership and confused and arrogant bureaucracy, in times of a State crisis. This is what we are and will always be, without pretensions.

It was also heartening to see Brig R S Rawat, VSM the force behind the relief operations to those afflicted in the recent tragedy that visited Uttarakhand, to be unanimously elected as the President of the UESL. It is he who has reiterated that, in the event of something unfortunate happening in the future also, we will not hesitate to seize the initiative and do all that we can to mitigate the sufferings of the people, to which we remain committed. The ESM fraternity does sincerely hope that, with the new Chief Minister in office, who has the reputation of being more rooted in the hill culture of humility and modesty, will give due consideration and just hearing to all such matters as impact and assail its dignity and interests. It is to remind the indifferent political leadership and pompous bureaucracy of Uttarakhand that, when the veterans are not respected and given their just place in society, which they are entitled to, then it is the State that is shamed and insulted and not just it’s ESM. We would definitely not want this to happen and are more than reassured that with Brig R S Rawat, VSM at the helm of the UESL, such a situation will not arise.

Brig S D Dangwal, VSM