Good morning.
Day 3.
17 Dec 2015
Today was bit relaxed day. War Veteran Group was divided in two; ladies to proceeded, after  B’fast to do the most awaited job of shopping in Dhaka, with money changed to Dollar & then to Takas of Bangladesh Currency to buy some famed silk Saries of  B’desh escorted by the female Liaison Officers of B’desh Army, Air force &  Navy. Happy hunting !
Veterans after rest (since some of them past 80, one being 1947 Commissioned) breakfast moved at 10am to have interaction with all three Service Chiefs of Air Force( Bangladesh Armed Force or short BAF), Navy & then Army HQ.
All three Service Chiefs had very frank interaction with Veterans after giving overview about their Respective Wings of Services Viz; BAF, BN, BDA which was followed by light refreshment. Veteran were invited to ask questions, if any, about their Services, Service Conditions, resettlement of ESM, their health, housing etc. Army Chief briefed that he reports directly to PM & no one else. MOD us basically to do jobs like budgeting, discipline coordination, promotions, housing etc. He sits in Budget Committee chairs by PM since he holds the rank of Addl Secy Govt of B’desh. As per him, invariably, all projections are generally accepted by the Govt in the annual Budget.
Incidentally, a senior Army Officer is in charge of all Projects at National level & he directly interacts with the PM.
Though their strength of Services is at conservative level as compared to India, obviously because of size & national threat perception but has all elements of training, administration, health, housing welfare of very high standard. After interaction, Indian Delegation
returned to Hotel around 2.15 pm. After was a relaxed affair. Some of the Veterans interacted with the Media arranged by Brig Jaggi Nanda, a smart, very professional, resourceful, dynamic Indian Army Rep in Dhaka, B’desh.
Evening a  Cultural Programme was organised which was very well attended.
A very large gathering had cone to witness this Cultural Programme.
Returned around 9pm to Hotel, did bit packing for next day’s picnic to an out station & lake by Helicopter ride in MI 17 Helicopters.
Overall it was a nice day.
Next dispatch will be on 19th Dec after  our return.

Bahadur Singh