Disabled War Veterans - A Forgotten Tribe!
As the supreme court severely criticised the government for a 'beggarly' Rs 1,000 per month pension for a soldier disabled while on duty, we spoke to Col H.N Handa from DIWAVE about the plight of our brave soldiers disabled in the line-of-duty. Col H.N. Handa: War creates families of dead soldiers normally associated as War Widows. However it also causes immense life long suffering to those wounded as a consequence. Wounded within a few years of joining the forces, generally in the age group 17-24, in the prime of their youth. These wounded can be classified as orthopedically wounded (a majority), blinded or paralyzed.A soldier sacrifices his life or limbs without rancor for many reasons - national honor, pride in his regime, a high level of motivation and above all, the understanding that the nation will look after his next of kin if he meets his death on the battlefield or is disabled. He goes out fearlessly to fight aggression of any type, as he is trained to, self-assured and confident. Without this knowledge, a soldier would not be able to render his best. Sadly, at present he sees that the care is seriously lacking for the war disabled or families of those killed in action. It is unbelievable that the Ministry of Defence has no record or database of the existing Disabled War Veteran - their names, degree of disability or their whereabouts. The reason advanced for this is that welfare of ex-servicemen is a state subject. This indifferent approach has made it difficult to adopt fresh welfare measures for the Disabled War Veterans, many of whom badly need immediate care, but are unable to receive it. Caring for the war disabled by the Central Government will reassure the soldiers of a secure future while going about their stressful duties. The number of such war disabled is rather small, estimated by the Ministry of Defence as a mere 10,000 out of which 97% are Persons Below Officers Rank (PBOR). First praised sky high and showered with promises '…then subjected to indifference and boarded out'…finally made to suffer callous negligence. That precisely sums up the lives of our brave soldiers and officers who were wounded in action, defending the country and its people in numerous wars and army actions prior to Kargil from 1962, 1965, 1971. Para military forces receive ex-gratia grants in addition but none for these War Disabled.Assurances were given as is evident from the MOD letter 200847/71/Pen-
The situation can be remedied by empanelling private prosthetic centres that provide modern prostheses like Ottobock, Endolite etc. in metropolitan cities and state capitals on the same lines as for other major ailments. This would result in better quality limbs with less waiting period, without entailing long travels and cost of hospitalisation etc. The arrangement is likely to be overall cost effective, ensuring better user satisfaction. Needless to add, fitting of good prosthesis helps the disabled to accept his disability better.Ailments such as angiography, angioplasty, hip and knee replacements, cancer treatment etc are undertaken for the retired and serving government employees by empanelled private hospitals. However, a properly fitting modern prosthesis has so far been denied to the Disabled war Veterans.There is also a need to issue Special Identity Cards for Disabled War Veterans, clearly identifying them as such. This would enable the MOD to develop the correct databank thereby make it possible to provide better welfare measures and facilities to them. Special attention and courtesies extended to the Disabled War Veterans in government offices, official dealings etc. at district and lower levels in particular, would help in enhancing their self-esteem and dignity and would also act as a morale-booster to serving soldiers.8ak note: In the next article with Col H.N. Handa, 8ak will enquire about how people who want to assist in the cause can work with DIWAVE.Best Regards,
PRAVIN NAIR K
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