By Our Reporter
Shillong, Nov 24: A mega rally of ex-servicemen (ESM) was organised on Friday by Headquarters 101 Area, Indian Army and Rajya Sainik Board, Meghalaya at 58 Gorkha Training Center, Happy Valley, Shillong.
The rally was attended by hundreds of ex-servicemen, veer naris, World War II veterans and children hailing from Meghalaya. The Ex-Servicemen rally is conducted every year in Shillong. The rally was specially aimed at ex-servicemen, war veterans, disabled soldiers and war widows to express solidarity and demonstrate that they remain inseparable members of the Armed Forces fraternity even post retirement.
Rakkam A Sangma the Hon’ble GAD Minister was the chief guest for the event. Senior officers from the Armed Forces and other civil dignitaries also attended the rally.
This included Lieutenant General Sanjay Malik, General Officer Commanding 101 Area, CVD Diengdoh, IAS, Secretary GAD, Smt RM Kurbah, IAS, Deputy Commissioner East Khasi Hills District.
In his address, Sangma thanked the veterans and their familes for the services that they had renderd and hoped that they would continue to contribute to the society with the same vigour .
During the rally, a one-time grant of Rs. 1,00,000 from Meghalaya Chief Minister’s Special Grant was presented to six World War II veterans/veer naris . In addition, ten gifts to veer naris and sixty gifts to ESMs were also presented.
A number of stalls from various welfare agencies and organisations of the Army were set up at the venue with a focus to resolve pension and entitlement related problems faced by the veterans. Stalls of the CM Elevate and Prime Initiatives of the State Government were also set up. These projects have been started by the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Meghalya with a view for identifying and nurturing start-ups and boost entrepreneurship in the State of Meghalaya. These have the potential to absorb many skilled service personnel who retire at an early age.
In a befitting gesture, the State government has increased the financial assistance to the Gallantry Awardees. A Mobile Poly Clinic at Tura has been made operational. A medical camp, fully run by specialist doctors was also set up to address immediate health issues of the citizens.
In addition, important policy letters received regarding various financial schemes will be percolated including action taken during last one year by Zilla Sainik Welfare Organisation, Shillong and Tura towards the welfare of ESM.
The rally provided an interactive platform and mitigated issues related to pension, medical, healthcare, re-employment and redressal of grievances.