Report

Ex-Servicemen Cell Report

Capt. Praveen Davar, Secretary, AICC Ex-Servicemen Cell, attended a district level meeting of Rajasthan PCC in which a large number of ex-Servicemen led by Capt. Mahender Mathur, President RPCC Ex-Servicemen Cell participated. Capt. Davar complimented the Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot for the development work undertaken in the state during the last five years as also for his bold action to arrest VHP leader Praveen Tagodia. Capt. Mahinder Mathur gave details of the activities of the Pradesh Ex-Servicemen Cell and assured complete cooperation of the organisation for the campaign in the forthcoming Assembly elections. He urged upon the PCC to ensure that adequate representation is given to ex-servicemen in allotment of tickets and party positions. The Chairman AICC Ex-Servicemen Cell, Lt. Gen. M.M. Lakhera attended a meeting of state office-bearers and district chairman of Garhwal Mandal of Uttaranchal PCC Ex-Servicemen Cell in Dehradun on 2nd June. Gen. Lakhera appealed to the Uttaranchal Government to speedily redress the grievances of ex-servicemen in the state as they had stood solidly behind the party during the last Assembly elections. He also desired greater representation to ex-servicemen in state government boards and corporations. A similar demand was raised by the Chairman of Uttaranchal PCC Ex-Servicemen Cell, Lt. Col. Vijay Ghilydal and Col. S.O. Rana, incharge Garhwal Mandal Ex-Servicemen Cell. Gen. Lakhera also met the Uttaranchal Chief Minister Shri N.D. Tiwari and discussed various welfare schemes for ex-servicemen with him.

Lt. Gen. M.M. Lakhera and Capt. Praveen Davar attended a meeting of ex-servicemen in Bhopalgarh (district Jodhpur) on 28 June. The meeting which was organised by the Chairman of Jodhpur DCC Ex-Servicemen Cell, Bhuraram Godhra, had nearly 1200 ex-servicemen and war widows participating. The meeting was inaugurated by the DCC president Mahipal Madirena who paid glowing tributes to the jawans and kisans for providing food and security to the nation. Gen. Lakhera condemned the NDA government for increasing the financial burden on the nation by deploying forces on the border and withdrawing them without taking any action. He appealed to ex-servicemen to fight casteism and communalism as this was an extension of their training in service. Capt. Praveen Davar launched a frontal attack on the Sangh Parivar and ridiculed Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee for not adhering to his rajadharma while dealing with Narender Modi. He also accepted the challenge of Praveen Tagodia who had declared a few days earlier that Secularism will last only for two years. Infact the ex-servicemen will ensure that it is communalism that will be wiped out in less than two years. Amongst those who attended the meeting were Maj. J.P. Singh, Wg. Cdr. Anil Mathur, K.K. Rajpurohit and Bhagwan Ram Fauji. Mr. Bhanwarlal Naik conducted the proceedings. The Chairman, UPCC Ex-Servicemen Cell Col. Bharat Singh addressed in Rattanpura Block of Mau district on 12 June in which 250 ex-servicemen participated. The last meeting of the month was held the following day, on 29 June, at Bikaner in which nearly 500 ex-servicemen participated. Lt. Gen. Chiman Singh, former GOC in C, Eastern Command was the chief guest in the function which was addressed besides, Gen. Lakhera and Capt. Davar, by Brig. Jagmal Singh, Chairman, Rajasthan Khadi Board, Bhawani Shankar Sharma, City Congress president Janardhan Kalla, DCC president Lakshman Kadwasara and Capt. Mahender Mathur who had organised the meeting with the assistance and active cooperation of Shri Som Chand Singhvi, Chairman Bikaner District Ex-Servicemen Cell. Gen. Lakhera condemned the Central Government for the worsening law and order situation and for its inability to contain terrorism. He urged upon the people to ensure that the ex-servicemen are given full respect and honour in society. Capt. Davar while highlighting the unprecedented corruption of Vajpayee Government appealed to ex-servicemen to spare no effort in strengthening Secularism without which the country has no future. He also urged upon the ex-servicemen and other Congressmen to make it a habit to wear habitual wearers of Khadi. Capt. Mahender Mathur and other speakers lauded various achievements of the Ashok Gehlot Government and assured full support of ex-servicemen in the poll battle ahead.

Lt. Gen. M.M. Lakhera (second from right), Capt. Praveen Davar and Capt. M.M. Mathur (left) at the district convention of Ex-Servicemen in village Gangani (district Jodhpur). A section of the crowd at the meeting.