Say they have been meted out a stepmotherly treatment

Nikhil Bhardwaj

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, December 16

Several ex-servicemen got together and celebrated the Vijay Diwas today and deliberated over the problems and challenges being faced by them.They lambasted the Union and the state governments for meting out a step-motherly treatment to them. They alleged that despite its historic importance, the government had not been celebrating this day, which marks its military victory over Pakistan in 1971 during the Indo-Pakistan war of 1971.On this day (December 16), the chief of Pakistan forces along with 93,000 troops surrendered to the allied forces of the Indian Army.General SPS Grewal (Retd.), Brig Inder Mohan (Retd.) and Col HS Kahlon (VrC) were prominent among those who addressed the gathering.Grewal said when they were in job, they faced huge challenges as their lives were always at risk just for the sake of the country and when they retired from service, they again faced challenges as neither the state government nor the Central government pay heed to improve their welfare.Grewal said no political party was ready to give due representation to them in the elections. “We want that at least one Rajya MP should be from the Army background so that he can raise our issues in the Upper House primarily. Now, all parties are providing a step-motherly treatment to us,” he said, adding that they still have some hope from the Congress party.Pledge to make students aware of rich history of armed forcesCol HS Kahlon said veterans who participated in the meeting took a pledge to visit their respective areas and educational institutions to make students aware of the rich history of the armed forces. They also proposed the government to develop all battle grounds as tourist spots with museums where awareness trips could be organised on the lines of the UK government.