As the nation marks Republic Day today, World War II veterans and their widows are struggling to survive
As the nation marks Republic Day today, World War II veterans and their widows are struggling to survive
Neither here nor there that sums up the plight of hundreds of former soldiers who have been dumped by Britain, the country they fought for in World War II (WWII).
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Most of these soldiers fought against Germany as part of the British Army during World War II.
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After the war, they were in the Indian Army for a short while. During post independence though, most of them who could not fit in the recruitment criteria of Indian Army were either rejected or they quit.
These soldiers are faced with a peculiar dilemma. War veterans they are, but they are in a grey zone. Left by the British, post Indian Independence and having served in the Indian army only for a short while, what are they entitled to?
The state government earlier provided them Rs 10 a day to since October 1, 1989. This was raised to a monthly amount of Rs 300, then to Rs 600 in January 1, 1999 and Rs 1,275 on August 1, 2004. This trend continues till today.
The State Department of Sainik Welfare HQ at Pune through their 30 districts offices all over Maharashtra have been supporting the veterans in every possible way and have even requested the state government to increase the financial assistance from Rs 1,275 to Rs 3,500, which is minimum pension to any government servant as per the Sixth Pay Commission.
Director at the State Department of Sainik Welfare HQ, Col (retd) Suhas Jatkar confirmed the move and said, "As on date 9,165 World War II veterans and their widows all over the state are registered with us, most of them are in the age of 80 plus and are living in a bad condition, with no family or financial support.
The state government provides financial aid of Rs 1,275 per month, which costs the exchequer Rs 1.17 crores anually. We have requested the government to increase the sum, as they are ageing and their numbers are diminishing."
Col Jatkar added, "World War II was a typical situation. The British used whatever recruitable population was available in the country to fight for them against Germany.
Once that war was over it was impossible for the British to maintain and sustain this kind of army. These people did not work for a pensionable serviceu00a0 or put in the years of service required to get in a pension."
When these people retired from serving the British army they probably must have been in the age group of 20 to 30 years at most, and they could work for sometime.
By 1989, they had become old and some had died and left behind widows who now have to be looked after.
Col Jatkar further added, since WW II fund is a state subject, every state as per its requirement, took decisions and made necessary provisions to provide these veterans financial aid in which Maharashtra pays the least.
MiD DAY visited Kolhapur, part of Western Maharashtra, which contributed maximum World War II veterans (see box) and spoke to some of the widows and veterans and found them living under inhumaneu00a0 conditions.
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"They defied death when the country needed them and today remain forgotten and unsung heroes," said N N Patil, a former Army officer, who is also the president of the India Ex-services League, an NGO.
Col Shankarrao Nikam (retd) (91) who fought for the British Army said, "It is a clear case of discrimination, and while the country is celebrating Republic Day, the war veterans and their widows have to beg for a decent living even today."
Charter of demands
Zilla District Sainik Welfare Office, Kolhapur in-charge Major (retd) M D Tungar said that they have three main charter of demands for the World War II veterans/widows, they are-u00a0
They should be entitled for Ex-servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS), which is not the case today.
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The scheme provides a smart card, which can be used by these people to avail free medical treatment and ambulance service in any military hospital or dispensary
Grant Canteen Stores Department (CSD) facility, which is only after serving five years of term in the force. They can get food grains and other household items at subsidised rates, which are not allowed today
Increase financial assistance from Rs 1,275 to Rs 3,500
What the widows say
Rukmini Padawale (82) widow of late Havaldar Dinkarrao Padwale
"Life is hell with no source of income from anywhere. My son is finding difficulty running his family and taking care of my medical expenses amounting to Rs 1,000 per month. The monthly amount (Rs 1,275) I get is not sufficient to even take care of medical bills."
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Walubai Vithoo Patil (90) widow of late Vithoo Patil
"I can't even get two square meals a day, my children do not have proper jobs and Rs 1,275 is too little to survive on with dependants."u00a0
Hausabai Govind Patil (88) widow of late Govind Patil
"I have blood pressure issues and other ailments, most of the money I get is used for medicines and have no family members taking care of me, where will I go?"
World War II Veterans Speak
Ex SEpoy Balu Dhaboleu00a0 (86)
Date of joining British Army: June 24, 1944
Date of retirement from the Indian Army: December 7, 1949
"After I left the army in 1949, I was given a job by New Palace Kolhapur-Shahji Chhatrapati for three years. I was paid Rs 16 per month, when I served in the British Army, but today, with the prices going up exorbitantly the Rs 1,275 I get from the government is not sufficient even for a week."
Ex sepoy Balu Davlu Dhabhole with his wife Bhagirati in front of their house in Kolhapur
Ex sEpoy Allabaz Sheikhu00a0 (82)
Date of joining British Army: June 11, 1944
Date of retirement from the Indian Army: December 07, 1949
"I was playing football when I was asked to join the British Army to fight the World War. Life became hell after I left the army. I did odd jobs to feed my family. My life has not changed since then either. The petty sum of Rs 1,275 is too little to feed a family of five dependents and does not even last a few days."
Total World War II veterans alive today in Maharashtra
1396
Total widows of World War II Veteran in Maharashtra
7787
Total beneficiaries as on December 31, 2010
9183
The yearly diminishing number of World War II Veterans: Unsung Heroes
1999: 16,469
2004: 13,025
2011: 9,183
Top 5 districts in Maharashtra with maximum World War II Veterans
District
Sangali
Satara
Kolhapur
Ahmednagar
Pune
Veterans Alive
374
190
150
87
74
War Widows
1180
1064
1071
463
331
Total
1554
1254
1221
550
405
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