98-yr-old’s gesture for fellow ex-servicemen wins hearts

Nonagenerian Lance Naik Kesho Lal Verma being honoured by Vajra Corps Station Commander Brig HS Sohi at his residence in Lal Kurti Bazaar, Jalandhar Cantt, on Thursday. Tribune photo

Deepkamal Kaur

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, May 20

Defying his age and other constraints, a rare gesture shown by 98-year-old Lance Naik Kesho Lal Verma (retd) to walk down to the Sub Area Headquarters of Vajra Corps for handing over an amount of Rs1 lakh for Covid-affected fellow ex-servicemen has won everyone’s heart.

In return, he too received an overwhelming gesture from the Corps officials. The Station Commander treated him reverently and got himself snapped. The picture went viral last evening via the WhatsApp groups of veterans, who were also motivated to not just sit back at home during the Covid times and donate generously.

Reciprocating his gesture, Station Brig HS Sohi on Thursday went to his place at Lal Kurti Bazaar in Jalandhar Cantonment and felicitated him. He presented him a bouquet of flowers and a basket of fresh fruits. Later in the day, Col Dalwinder Singh (retd) from the District Welfare Office visited his place and took him to his office for another function to honour him.

The nonagenerian is seemingly quite fit as he did not have much difficulty in mobility though he wobbled a bit. He also seemed full of life despite solitude. He shared that he lost his only son, who was a naval officer, in 2011 and his family lives in Vishakhapatnam. Here he was living with his cook.

The veteran was born on November 22, 1922. He had served with Royal Indian Army Service Corps (MT), South East Asia Command, prior to the Independence and continued to serve the Indian Army until retirement in September 1965.

Recalling all dates and chronological incidents correctly at this age, Lance Naik Verma shared the journey of his life, “I originally hail from Arra village of Pakistan. I got inducted in army near Islamabad in November 1940. Thereafter, army took me to Pune. I did several trainings and even went to Burma. I used to serve as a driver for many officials, drove military ambulances and vehicles for ration supplies.”

On his donation, he said, “I draw a pension of Rs35,000 a month and have a reasonable saving. I wanted to utilise this amount for some good cause and hence though to donate for the well-being of my fellow brethren.