From : Brig Inder Mohan Singh (Retd)

To : All Veteran Officers of Punjab

Some of you may be aware that Indian Ex Services League (IESL) is the oldest and largest ESM organisation in the country. It was founded in 1964 by Gens Cariappa and Thimayya. It was recognised as the Apex organisation of ESM by an Act of Parliament in 1986. The GoI gave about 2000 sq yds of land on Lease in Perpuity. The British created a Royal Commonwealth Ex Services League (RCEL) and we are a member along with 45 or so other Commonwealth countries. The office building at 9 Nyaya Marg, Chanakyapuri was constructed in 1970. No money came from GoI directly. Rs 2.50 from National Defence Fund. The next biggest donor was the British Royal Commonwealth League about Rs1.80 lakh. Birla and Tata Trusts contributed Rs 50000 each, Rs 10000 from then Govt of Mysore, Rs 2500 from Escorts.

To expand it’s footprint states were asked to form their State Leagues. Punjab was the first to form this in 1965. Then others followed. Of the 14 Presidents so far 7 were from Haryana/West UP. This happened because an election system was started and in a planned manner it was structured that the two regions bordering Delhi kept control of IESL. Apart from Gens Cariappa and Thimayya, there was Maj Gen Tara Singh Bal from Delhi as the third President. There was one from HP, Maj Gen Bikram Singh. Brig Mohinder Singh of Grenadiers was the only other President from Punjab. In the elections held in March 2023 i got elected with one vote lead. This has not been taken well by the previous controllers. One of loser has even filed a case. Well that is being taken care of.

I have sounded that IESL will not be a political arena and elections will not decide it’s future. The Air Force Association (AFA) has no election system. Something on those lines. I have strong legal stand to achieve this.

I need a few things from veterans of Punjab, especially senior officers. One I request you to become a member of IESL. It’s a one time payment of Rs 500. Then I need your views how to restructure it.

Punjab has the second largest number of ESM. Over 3.6 lakhs. UP a much bigger State is about 4.2 lakhs. Haryana is well below us. But in IESL membership we are about 65000 against 75000 from Haryana.

Similarly we want to restructure the Punjab League. As senior officers some of you have a good connect with the political powers of Punjab. Haryana and a few other states are doing a wonder in this regard. We are at the bottom.

Can I request you to become members of IESL. It’s only then we can make a beginning. Punjab is fortunate that we have three fully Punjab based Inf Regts though some troops come from neighbouring states. Similarly we have a good strength in Engrs and Arty. We are now not so well placed in other arms and Services. Some of you are from these Punjab centric Regts. It’ll be easier to reach out to our JCOs and NCOs.

Earlier ESM said IESL is a crony of the govt, meaning the party in power and will not speak out. I’m the first one to take on this challenge and now some are saying go slow.

Please call me anytime for anything you wish to know.

Brig Inder Mohan Singh (Retd)
92169 19004
05 Jan 2025

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