IESM: Chairman's Desk- Coordinating ESM Organisations

Date: Thursday, 11 June, 2009, 9:47 PM
Dear Colleagues,
The meeting of the heads of ESM organizations was held at 1600 hours on 11 Jun 09 as scheduled. Following ESM organizations were represented:
1. RDOA– Colonel Satwant Singh
2. National Ex Servicemen Welfare Organisation – Colonel SC Sharma
3. Indian Ex Services Welfare Association- Colonel Inderjit Singh
4. IESM- Lt Gen Raj Kadyan
Admiral Harinder Singh (Naval Foundation) could not make due to his sudden admission in hospital.
Brig RK Gulia (IESL) had conveyed regrets for his inability to attend due to a prior engagement.
Following decisions were taken:

All agreed on a joint approach to pursue OROP.

A Task Force should be constituted on preparing a case that would be jointly forwarded to the government.

Admiral Barin Ghose was nominated as the IESM representative for the Task Force.

Colonel Satwant Singh agreed to forward the name of RDOA nominee.

Names of nominees from IESL will be requested.
Best regards,
Lt Gen (Emeritus) Raj Kadyan, PVSM, AVSM, VSM
Chairman IESM

Veteran Voice: Call for Unity
For all of those currently caught in the debate that is taking place within progressive ESM organizations; the common denominator amongst us is that we are all Ex Servicemen, all other considerations set aside. As such, we have quality of life issues that effect each and everyone of us, as well as that of our families, and increasingly that of our neighbors. We also have a responsibility to ensure that today's Jawans/ Soldiers are properly cared for. This, regardless of personal political ideology. There must be unity of purpose amongst us, in order to bring national focus on those issues, and create momentum for change or reform. Pragmatic solutions will not be forthcoming, not without our setting aside our political and ideological differences, and agreeing to work together on achievable common focus issues. By pooling our talents and our resources at the grass-roots, we can bring about change, at the national level.

The model for this as a workable strategy is exemplified by open letter to all the ESM community, from Raj Kadyan, Indian Ex Servicemen Movement, President. It is based on striving for unity as spoken by Vijay Oberoi, SK Bahri, and ever so many other Veterans; they have already put the plan into action which is slowly but surely bearing fruits. Unity of purpose, and clearly defined achievable goals...it works!