REPORT

Ex-Servicemen Observe “Quit India”

Air Marshal Sekhon Joins Congress JALANDHAR : Air Marshal M.S. Sekhon, who was forced to quit for allegedly seeking the influence of the former Punjab Chief Minister, Prakash Singh Badal, for his promotion, has joined the Congress. He joined the party in the presence of the Chief Minister, Captain Amrinder Singh, at a function here on 2 September organised by the All India Congress Committee Ex-Servicemen Cell.

"Quit India" day was observed by the Ex-servicemen Cell in Faizabad on 9 August. The meeting was attended by the AICC Ex-Servicemen Cell Chairman, Lt. Gen. M.M. Lakhera, AICC Ex-Servicemen Cell Secretary, Capt. Praveen Davar, UPCC Ex-Servicemen Cell Chairman, and Faizabad DCC Ex-Servicemen Cell Chairman, Col. Bharat Singh. Senior UP Congress leader Nirmal Khatri was the chief guest. Addressing the gathering, Lt. Gen. M.M. Lakhera advised the ex-servicemen to register themselves with the Zila Sainik Boards. Failing to do so results in denial of various facilities being planned for the benefit of ex-servicemen. Gen. Lakhera also dwelt at length on the non-implementation of one rank-one pension scheme.

Capt. Praveen Davar explained the historical significance of the "Quit India" day to ex-servicemen and recalled the sacrifices of selfless services of lakhs of Congressmen led by the Mahatma Gandhi in the freedom struggle. He advised that "Quit India" day should be observed as "Quit Communalism" day and ex-servicemen should take the lead in propagating and protecting the country’s secular ethos. Capt. Davar also condemned the Sangh Parivar for the Gujarat atrocities which has brought a bad name to the country and tarnished the image of Hinduism. Col. Bharat Singh advised the ex-servicemen to keep themselves abreast of the various welfare schemes being initiated from time to time for the welfare of ex-servicemen. He also took the U.P Government to task for not paying adequate attention to the problems of ex-servicemen. Ex-servicemen belonging to the organization participated in the "Quit India" day programmes held in their respective States.

Ex-Servicemen meeting in Faizabad on August 9. (L-R) Col. Bharat Singh, Sub. S.P. Singh (Standing), Capt. Praveen Davar, Lt. Gen. M.M. Lakhera and Shri Surender Pratap Singh.

The following day, on August 10, a meeting of office-bearers of UPCC Ex-servicemen Cell from eastern UP was held at Nehru Bhavan in Lucknow.

Lt. Gen. M.M. Lakhera was the chief guest at a meeting of ex-servicemen in Mumbai on 18 August. Amongst others present were Col. Sudhir Sawant, MLC and Mr. Ajit Ghorpade, Minister of State, Maharashtra government. The meeting was jointly organized by the MPCC Ex-servicemen Cell chairman, Prof. Bal Chandra Kathale, Vidharbha Congress Ex-Servicemen Cell chairman, Col. M.R. Pimplekhute and BPCC Ex-Servicemen Cell Chairman, Comdr O.P. Bakshi. Lt. Gen. M.M. Lakhera reasoned why the ex-servicemen should join Congress while Col. Sudhir Sawant asked them to prepare for the next elections. Prof. Bal Chandra Kathale gave details of various programmes which will be taken up by the Ex-Servicemen Cell in Maharashtra in the near future. The Chairman, AICC Ex-Servicemen Cell handed over appointment letters to the newly-appointed District Chairmen and State office-bearers of the MPCC Ex-Servicemen Cell.

The AICC Ex-Servicemen Cell, which receives a large number of welfare-related representations from ex-servicemen spread over the country, took up the issues with the various branches of the headquarters of Army, Navy and Air Force and other official agencies.