Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Views by Airforce veteran Sunil

Dear Lt. Gen Raj Kadyan Sir,

In response to the SITREP issued by you in REPORT MY SIGNAL dt 08/06/09, We wish to place before you few points for consideration, along with devising a common strategy in enhancing the cause of OROP,during the meeting to be held on 11th June 2009, as we from Mysore would not be able to participate.

1) Now since a new government is in power,they could be pressurized through a collective representation at all levels of IESM, throughout the country. HQ, IESM can draft a common memorandum and circulate to all levels of IESM, a date could be fixed throughout the country, media could be apprised of the event and then the memorandum along with local issues if any, could be handed over to the Deputy commissioners or the local heads of all districts, and most importantly, the elected MP of the constituency BY HAND. Places where IESM is yet to be formed, a copy of the draft could be sent to all District HQ'S and all the 542 MP's by name from HQ,IESM. All MP's, irrespective of political parties, they are affiliated to, would then be accountable to this noble cause.


2) Sainik Boards at all levels are to be revamped and made accountable throughout the country.

Veterans of all ranks are totally disgusted at the bureacratic way of functioning, and the same lame excuses of blaming the higher formations in not responding to any positive suggestions or complaints.



Suggestions:- HQ,IESM could play a major role with the central Government, highlight the present system and revamp the whole structure and organization of the sainik board, which has now become defunct, w.r.t pursuing the policies laid down. They have to made more accountable at all levels of their organization. IESM running the organization could also be thought of as a future vision, on a partnership basis. The root of the problem visible to me is that Veterans are being appointed as sainik board officials, and feel very sorry to say that these same people are trained during service years to only think inside the box and never give any thought to change their attitude of looking outside the box, after coming out of defense services.

As a paradigm shift, maybe the services of educated wives of veterans could possibly be the right answer to this vexed problem.



3) Whether it is true or not, some associations of veterans are taking credit for voicing the grassroots problems of veterans. It would be apt to mention at this point of time, that it has even affected the membership drive of IESM here locally, and volunteers as officer and PBOR veterans feel they are left holding a begging bowl, trying to convince veterans to become members of IESM.At this juncture, we are at a loss for words in convincing that “IESM is Different”, and a time has come when some members are openly questioning the need of having meetings even once a month, when there are no directives or points issued by HQ, IESM, with respect to the participation or solving any local problems, except OROP.



Suggestion:- Directives with regard to local issues, common to all regions may please be issued from HQ, IESM, so that all IESM Members throughout the country speak in one voice.




Hope this points with suggestions could be an eye opener in pursuit of IESM being more effective.


We would appreciate if this mail is viewed in REPORT MY SIGNAL, with your kind reply after the meeting.

Warm Regards,


Veteran Sunil Rao.M.R

Convener-IESM, Mysore

#61, “AKSHAYA”, 3rd Block,

Jayalaxmipuram, Mysore-570012

Karnataka State.