Dear veterans,
I watched the programme on 22 April 2009 at 2230 hrs. I was taken by surprise when Karan mentioned that CPI (M) in their election manisfesto has already included the OROP issue and as Karan Thapar stated they had done it much earlier than BJP done. When Karan threw a question on this, I could see a bit of 'uncomfortable' Gen Kadiyan and the former Chief Gen Shankar Roy C. Both the Generals frankly admitted that they were not aware of this fact. This is one thing , I am still unable to understand as to how we missed this, when a national party which is campaigining all over the country and we have our own vast net work with each one of us reporting on the happenings all over the
country. Any way this is a lesson learnt.
When Karan asked whether IESM will be given a advisory to vote for CPM since they are also promising to look into the OROP issue. We must appreciate the guts of both the Generals as they said that, still we would go by BJP , as their leader Mr Advani hadus personally met us and assured us . Therefore would like to give them a chance.
An impatient and frustrated Mr Ashok Sangvi, during the interview looked like a person who had faced a' very humiliating defeat' . He totally lost his balance and the tone, language and above all the ego was symbolic of their attitude and intentions towards the ESM community. His comments conveyed an indirect message that the 'Services' are like bonded labourers and they cannot have any right or freedom even though it has been stated in the Constitution. He was mentioning that the advisory sent by Chairman IESM, has been thrown in the waste paper basket . He was also questioning the authenticity of our claim that IESM is representing the cause of over 2 million ESMs. Well in fact we have already thrown the congress manisfesto in the dust bin and let me ask one thing - How Mr Sangvi is claiming himself as the sole spokes person of congress party ? We have several parties within the congress party in Tamil Nadu . Which one he is representing ? Secondly, when the congress party itself has not formed the government with its own majority, how can it claim that it is representing the people and sincerely working for the welfare of over one billion Indian Citizens. Mr Ashok Sangvi, should know that the Soldiers of Indian Defence Services, are the true patriots, selfless and sacrificing . Their discipine, loyalty and unquestionably, whether they are in service or out of it. That is the reason we still exercise utmost patience and perseverence in spite of the blabberings by so called champions, like Mr Ashok Sangvi, for national cause.
Politicians will remain politicians only. I think they can never behave or display the spirit of "True citizens" of a Nation.
Col (Retd) K S Chakravarthi
