Thread by @ColSanjayPande

1/ #SAVITA ‘Sustainable And Valuable Initiative for Timely Assistance’ - #ForcesWidows Upto yesterday, 08 Sep, more than 7 lace were transferred by Benefactors to Beneficiaries by good people who wanted to help educating children of deceased soldiers. How removed are people from

2/ reality is borne by conversations I have with widows of soldiers. Sample some 1. ‘Yours is the only voice I hear from Army, no one ever calls’ 2. ‘No one bothers for us, not even the unit where my husband served’ 3. ‘What use is Sena Medal of my husband when I have not

3/ benefitted at all? My daughters have completed education with money given by you’ 4. ‘Sir, you are the only one that makes me feel cared for’. WHY? If the so called ‘brotherhood of Army’ is so strong, why do these widows suffer? Army opens up Directorate of Veterans,

4/ and numerous offices across country headed by ‘Colonel Veterans’ for what? Points I gave to Secretary ESW, MoD on life of Soldier Veterans and Army Widows were never brought in front of him. There is such a vast disconnect that General Sahabs and their Big-Frame-Dark-Glasses-

5/ Wearing Memsahibs decide over High Teas in lawns or over Gin-n-Tonic on what ‘problems widows face’. No wonder the bureaucracy does not ever invite these people for discussions. I was a ground soldier in service and a ground veteran today. It pains me to see the pathetic state

6/ of Army widows. For reimbursement of fees from MoD, trust me, the formalities, documents, dates to be adhered, numerous rules, numerous agencies etc. have muddied the water so much that after couple of years the Veteran Soldiers give up. Now imagine what will a Army Widow do.

7/ What did I do to help? Simple. 1. Visit, meet, ascertain, check documents, check results and simply PAY FULL TUITION FEES. 2. Pay for books and uniform. 3. I don’t touch cash. 4. Find people who want to help. 5.Give them details to pay DIRECTLY to widow. 6. Always be in touch

8/LAST with widow. 7. Make them feel cared for 8. Why do I do it? Just in one line- For Chetwode motto. While others joined race of life, I joined the race for Nation and my Men. Jai Hind.