FESTIVAL GREETINGS : A SAFE,HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS DEEPAVALI

    

I HEREBY TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO WISH A
HAPPY AND PROPEROUS FESTIVAL OF DEEPAVALI
TO ALL VETERANS, SERVING BROTHERS AND THEIR
FAMILIES, THROUGH THIS BLOG.

          

WISHING A SAFE,HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS FESTIVAL OF DEEPAVALI TO ONE ALL

         I HEREBY TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO WISH A 
HAPPY AND PROPEROUS FESTIVAL OF DEEPAVALI
TO ALL VETERANS, SERVING BROTHERS AND THEIR
FAMILIES,   THROUGH THIS BLOG.

          ONE OF OUR FRIEND, SHRI GOPAL SINGH NEGIji,
HAD FORWARDED THE FOLLOWING MULTI-COLOURED
AND MULTI-FACETED GREETINGS  TO ME THIS NOON,
THANKS TO THE ADVENT OF INTERNET.

          MAY I, REQUEST YOU ALL AND YOUR FAMILY
MEMBERS TO   PLEASE CLICK HERE  TO SEE THE
WONDERFUL/REAL SPIRIT OF THE COLOURFUL
DEEPAVALI FESTIVAL.

           THANKS AGAIN AND BEST WISHES. JAI HO!

VALUE OF HUMAN LIFE : A RE-LOOK AT LIFE INSURANCE

       The following is posted for the benefit of information of all Veteran brothers:-
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What is Human Life Value ?

Yes. It’s a price tag on human life. Every humanbeing is priceless to his family. But it becomes necessary to evaluate a human life in terms of money, in order to safeguard from under-insurance problems. Under-insurance at times leaves no trace of insurance when it fails to serve the purpose for what it was effected. Insurance on Human Life should be sought keeping in mind, the financial loss that the family would suffer in his/her absense. Instead of buying Life insurance policies as a tool for reducing tax liability, provision for old age, to venture into stock markets on a small scale etc, it would make sense if insurance is sought from the angle of economic replacement of human life value.

Human Life Value concept was founded by Dr. Solomon S. Huebner, the founder of ‘The American College of Life Underwriters’, in the 1920’s. HLV concept is used by various professionals like Underwriters, Courts, etc. for determining the economic value for a Human Life. For the victims of the ‘Terrorist attack of September 11, 2001′ on the twin towers, courts decided the amount of settlement based on this concept.


HUMAN LIFE VALUE of a earning member in the family could be defined as the amount that the family would require to retain the same standard of living in the absence of the earning member. This would be the maximum amount for which a person can seek insurance protection.
Human Life Value based on Income:

The first step towards computation of Human life value would be to determine the net annual income of the person after deducting the amount spent by him for his personal use. This amount will be the amount that he affords to his family annually. Let us assume that the person is 40 years of age and his annual income after deducting all his personal expenses sums up to Rs.3,60,000. So, in order to get this amount annually in the absence of this earning member, his family would need Rs.45,00,000 on his demise (This assumption is based on investment of Rs.45,00,00 as fixed deposit @ rate of 8% interest per annum). However, the erosion money value due to inflation was not taken into account in this method.

Human Life Value based on expenditure:

The more complex calculation of HLV is based on expenditure that the family has to meet out after the earning member’s life. The factors such as age of life expectency of spouse, number of children and their dependancy period on the family, monthly household expenditure, cost of inflation, outstanding loans etc., are to be taken into account in the calculation of this type of HLV. Of course, the disposable assets if any the family posesses, value of the same could be deducted from the total amount that family needs. Say, if the earning member left behind an asset valued at Rs.20 lakhs the same could be deducted from Rs.45 lakhs of capital requirement of the family worked out. So, as per our illustration, the family would require Rs.25 lakhs in addtion to the disposable asseet valued at Rs.20 lakhs, to earn an amount of Rs.30,000/- per month.

Type of Insurance :

Now, the type of life Insurance product that you want to choose in order to get the coverage of Rs.25,00,000/-, is an important decision.

The following will be the premium amount that you have to pay annually under different Life Insurance products. Well known insurance products in the indian market are Term Insurance, Pure Endowment Plans, and ULIP (Unit Linked Insurance Plans).

For full text of the Article, Please  CLICK HERE

Which plan would you choose to get your life covered for Rs.25 lakhs ? Term insurance products seem to be cheapter than ULIP, Endowment etc. Is it so?

Check this  PREVIOUS G CONNECT ARTICLE  that compares Term Insurance and ULIP.

The bottom line is one should get his life covered for sum that would serve the purpose of fulfilling all the financial needs of the family in his absence. Taking an insurance cover for a small amount that would not serve the purpose is as bad as not taking any life cover.

(SOURCE : GConnect d/d 11.10.09)

A PIL PROPOSED TO BE FILED IN SC FOR CITIZEN'S RIGHT TO DIRECTLY MONITOR ALL ELECTED REPS 24X7

         The following request is posted for information of all Veterans:-
----------------------------------------------------------
"Sir/Madam,
Please find in attached files in Hindi and English the suggestion referred to above. Kindly email or send your valuable comments to the following address. We plan to take this PIL to Supreme Court after discussing with Citizens across the Nation and including their views in the text to the best of our ability.

Thanking you,
Yours faithfully,
Dr. S.N. Kundra, (M.Ch. Neurosurgery)
Consultant Neurosurgeon,
B-6,Shankar Garden,
New Delhi-110018,Ph:011-25550003, 25500003"

E-mail- Raman Kundra <drramankundra@yahoo.co.in>

Please click here for the Draft PIL PETITION in  HINDI

Please click here for the Draft PIL PETITION in  ENGLISH

SIMPLE GUIDE TO CORRECT WAY OF EATING FRUITS

       The following is posted for the benefit of information of all Veterans:-
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A Simple and Meaningful Guide

We all think eating fruits means just buying fruits, cutting it and just popping it into our mouths. It's not as easy as you think It's important to know how and when to eat..

What is the correct way of eating fruits?

IT MEANS NOT EATING FRUITS AFTER YOUR MEALS! - FRUITS SHOULD BE EATEN ON AN EMPTY STOMACH.

If you eat fruit on an empty stomach, it will play a major role to detoxify your system, supplying you with a great deal of energy for weight loss and other life activities.

FRUIT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT FOOD - Let's say you eat two slices of bread and then a slice of fruit.. The slice of fruit is ready to go straight through the stomach into the intestines, but it is prevented from doing so.

In the meantime the whole meal rots and ferments and turns to acid..The minute the fruit comes into contact with the food in the stomach and digestive juices, the entire mass of food begins to spoil.

So please eat your fruits on an empty stomach or before your meals! You have heard people complaining - every time I eat water-melon I burp, when I eat durian (fruit from Asia with a foul smell yet delicious flavor) my stomach bloats up, when I eat a banana I feel like running to the toilet etc. - actually all this will not arise if you eat the fruit on an empty stomach. The fruit mixes with the putrefying other food and produces gas and hence you will bloat!

Graying hair, balding, nervous outburst, and dark circles under the eyes - all these will not happen if you take fruits on an empty stomach.

There is no such thing as some fruits, like orange and lemon are acidic, because all fruits become alkaline in our body, according to Dr. Herbert Shelton who did research on this matter. If you have mastered the correct way of eating fruits, you have the Secret of beauty, longevity, health, energy, happiness and normal weight.

When you need to drink fruit juice - drink only fresh fruit juice, NOT from the cans.. Don't even drink juice that has been heated up. Don't eat cooked fruits because you don't get the nutrients at all. You only get to taste. Cooking destroys all the vitamins.

But eating a whole fruit is better than drinking the juice. If you should drink the juice, drink it mouthful by mouthful slowly, because you must let it mix with your saliva before swallowing it.

You can go on a 3-day fruit fast to cleanse your body. Just eat fruits and drink fruit juice throughout the 3 days and you will be surprised when your friends tell you how radiant you look!

KIWI: Tiny but mighty. This is a good source of potassium, magnesium, vitamin E & fiber. Its vitamin C content is twice that of an orange.

APPLE: An apple a day keeps the doctor away? Although an apple has a low vitamin C content, it has antioxidants & flavonoid which enhances the activity of vitamin C thereby helping to lower the risks of colon cancer, heart attack & stroke.

STRAWBERRY: Protective Fruit. Strawberries have the highest total antioxidant power among major fruits & protect the body from cancer-causing, blood vessel-clogging free radicals.

ORANGE: Sweetest medicine, eating 2 to 4 oranges a day may help keep colds away, lower cholesterol, prevent & dissolve kidney stones as well as lessens the risk of colon cancer.

WATERMELON: Coolest thirst quencher. Composed of 92% water, it is also packed with a giant dose of glutathione, which helps boost our immune system. They are also a key source of lycopene - the cancer fighting oxidant. Other nutrients found in watermelon are vitamin C & Potassium.

GUAVA & PAPAYA: Top awards for vitamin C. They are the clear winners for their high vitamin C content. Guava is also rich in fiber, which helps prevent constipation. Papaya is rich in carotene; this is good for your eyes...

Drinking Cold water after a meal = Cancer! Can you believe this??  For those who like to drink cold water, please read on,
It feels nice to have a cup of cold drink after a meal. However, the cold water will solidify the oily stuff that you have just consumed. It will slow down the digestion.. Once this 'sludge' reacts with the acid, it will break down and be absorbed by the intestine faster than the solid food. It will line the intestine. Very soon, this will turn into fats and lead to cancer. It is best to drink hot soup or warm water after a meal.

A cardiologist says if everyone who gets this mail sends it to 10 people, you can be sure that we'll save at least one life. Read this.....It could save your life!

(SENT BY EX- SGT JAYVANT  WALAWALKAR)

DEPARTMENT OF EX-SERVICEMEN WELFARE(MOD) : 5 YEARS IN SERVICE OF VETERANS

      The following is posted for the information of all Veteran Brothers:-
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The Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare (ESW), functioning under the Ministry of Defence, completes five years of its existence next week. Set up on September 22, 2004, the department caters exclusively to the rehabilitation and welfare of about 21 lakh Ex-Servicemen (ESM) population and another five lakh ESM widows. Nearly 60,000 ESM are added to this huge number every year, largely due to perhaps the highest attrition rate in any organized sector among the Armed Forces in order to retain a youthful profile of the fighting forces, their primary task. Taken together with ESM dependents ranging between 50-70 lakhs, the Department of ESW shoulders responsibility of the welfare of roughly one crore population of ESM and their dependents.

The Department of ESW achieves its objectives through its three attached offices, consisting of the Directorate General of Resettlement (DGR), the Kendriya Sainik Board (KSB) and the Ex-Servicemen’s Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS), besides coordinating with the Principal Controller of Defence Accounts (PCDA), Allahabad. In January 2008 the Department of ESW came to be headed by a full-fledged Secretary-level officer, underlining the government’s commitment to the concerns of the huge ESM population. Besides helping the veterans resettle in a suitable second career, the department provides healthcare and ensures timely payment of benefits and pension to the ESM and their dependents.

The Directorate General of Resettlement (DGR) is the first avenue for the Services personnel on the verge of superannuation. It imparted training to over 34,000 officers and Persons Below Officer Rank (PBORs) during 2008-09 besides granting jobs to 51,000 ESM and securing placement for another 30,000 ESM in DGR-sponsored security agencies last year. The DGR, being the nodal agency for resettlement of ESM, has in recent years tied up with reputed management institutes to offer post-graduate diplomas to Services officers. It runs several successful ESM reemployment programmes including the popular Mother Dairy Milk and Fruit and Vegetable booths, placement in empanelled private security agencies, coal tipper scheme, allotment of army surplus vehicles, management of CNG stations and toll plazas under the NHAI and sponsoring ESM for the allotment of 8 percent quota of LPG, petrol pump and kerosene outlets reserved for wartime/peacetime widows and disabled soldiers. Last year 287 Mother Dairy outlets were allotted to ESM/dependents sponsored by the DGR. The DGR’s stupendous success in the placement of ESM in security agencies can be gauged from the fact that the number of ESM employed jumped from over 27,000 in 2007 to over 40,000 in 2008 while another over 17,000 have been successfully granted placement this year till May, 2009.

The Kendriya Sainik Board (KSB), the apex body for the welfare of war-wounded and other Ex-Servicemen (ESM), keeps in constant touch with the large ESM community, fulfilling their needs and aspirations through the 32 Rajya Sainik Boards and 355 Zila Sainik Boards spread across the country. KSB doles out about Rupees 7 crores aid every year to ESM, widows, children and orphans through welfare schemes out of the Armed Forces Flag Day Fund, which includes the Raksha Mantri’s Discretionary Fund ranging between Rs.5,000-1,25,000. The government recently amended the eligibility to include ESM up to the rank of Havildar and equivalent in the Navy and Air Force under the scheme. In another major initiative the KSB has in recent years replaced the crude motorized tricycles with the new modified 4-wheeled Honda Activa scooters distributed free of cost to the disabled ESM. The KSB also provides funds to the Red Cross Society, Cheshire Homes and Military Hospitals for the treatment and care of ESM and their wards and administers the award of more than 3,500 Prime Minister’s scholarships every year to wards of ESM.

The Ex-Servicemen’s Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) is another big success story in the Department of ESW’s endeavours and concerns for the ESM welfare. Founded in April 2003, the ECHS today has a vast network of 2,267 polyclinics, its membership jumping nearly ten-fold, - from 3.5 lakhs in 2005 to over 30 lakhs. ESM with disabilities who had to travel long distances to the Artificial Limb Centre, Pune, are now getting such medical aid from about 150 Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) -empanelled centres across the country. The government has also hiked ECHS allocation from Rs. 82.85 crore in 2004-05 to Rs. 690 crores in the current financial year. The Department of ESW further proposes to include soon the Nepal-domiciled Gorkhas, who continue to receive medical aid from the Armed Forces Flag Day Fund, under the ECHS and has given ‘in principle’ approval for setting up a Pension Payments Office (PPO) in Butwal, Nepal.

But all efforts and welfare schemes would come to a naught if the ESM does not get his monthly dues on time. The Principal Controller of Defence Accounts (PCDA), Allahabad is the nodal office, handling pension for about a whopping 17 lakh ESM and dependents through banks, treasuries, Pension Disbursing Offices besides the vast postal network all over the country. The government has recently issued instructions to issue simultaneous notification of Service and Disability Pension to avoid delays in release of the latter. Unmarried daughters over 25 years of age and widowed/divorced daughters dependent on the ESM have now been granted family pension and several other steps to support the ESM dependents have been introduced. Other major initiatives include, - hiking minimum pension from Rs. 1,913 to Rs.3,500 pm, removal of linkage of full pension with a qualifying service of 33 years from Jan.01, 2006, commutation of pension increased, gratuity hiked from Rs.3.5 lakhs to Rs.10 lakhs and special family pension hiked from Rs.2,550 to Rs.7,000 pm. The government has also improved pension for Ex-service personnel, besides benefits accruing out of the Sixth Pay Commission including Military Service Pay to Armed Forces personnel and awarding a higher separate Pay Bands for officers of the rank of Lt. General and Lt. Colonel, or equivalent, respectively. Additional pension has been granted in varying range for elderly pensioners, with the government granting cumulative benefits of Rs.2,144 crores to the men in the three Services and the ESM.

Pension Adalats have been a tremendous success in settling disputes related to ESM spread across the country; six such Adalats are normally held in places with large concentration of ESM population.

In contribution of the sacrifices made by the martyrs, war-wounded, Ex-Servicemen and their dependents, the DGR marks December 7 every year as the Armed Forces Flag Day (AFFD) when the nation remembers its veterans and generously contributes to the Flag Day Fund.

RECONCILIATION OF WRONGFUL DEBIT OF AMOUNT/ATM FAILURE : TIME LIMIT PRESCRIBED

         THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS POSTED FOR THE BENEFIT OF ALL VETERANS:-
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 The Reserve Bank of India, have issued guidelines for reconciliation/crediting of amounts on account of
failure of ATM machines(WRONGFUL DEBIT OF AMOUNT), by the concerned banks to the customers, within a timeframe OF 12 DAYS, from the date of receipt of complaint from the customer. Failure to do so by the banks will attract a penality of Rs.100 per day.

For detailed guidelines, CLICK HERE FOR RBI CIRCULAR ON THE SUBJECT

GRIEVANCE REDRESSAL MECHANISM IN BANKS : ORDERS OF RESERVE BANK OF INDIA

        THE FOLLOWING IS POSTED FOR INFORMATION OF ALL VETERANS:-
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Lodge A Complaint/Grievance:

        Orders are in place for dealing with the grievances of the customers of the banks. The details of the Grievance handling officers alongwith the telephone numbers are prominently displayed at all banks.

For detailed information,  CLICK HERE FOR RBI CIRCULAR ON THE SUBJECT

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ENTITLEMENT OF DISABILITY PENSION TO ARMED FORCES PERSONNEL (VOLUNTARY RETIREES) : SUPREME COURT ORDERS

         THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS POSTED FOR THE BENEFIT OF ALL VETERANS:-
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In an order which would benefit a large number of armed forces personnel, the Supreme Court has ruled that disabled soldiers who opt pre-mature retirement at their own request are entitled to disability pension.

Defence personnel with disabilities attributable to or aggravated by military service are eligible for disability pension. The government, however, had been refusing payment of disability pension to personnel who had left the forces voluntarily on compassionate grounds. The reason given for denial was that such personnel were technically not deemed to have been ?invalided out? of service.

Upholding a Delhi High Court order, A division bench of the apex court comprising Justice P P Naolekar and L S Panta a few days ago dismissed a special leave petition (SLP) filed by the Central government against the high court order.

Acting upon a petition filed by ex-soldier Mahavir Singh Narwal, a division bench of the HC, headed by Justice Vijender Jain had, in 2004, held that disabled personnel obtaining release on compassionate grounds would also remain entitled to disability pension.

The Central government had gone into appeal in the case and the Supreme Court stayed the operation of the HC order till it passed final orders in January and dismissed the SLP.

Entitlement Rules for disability pension notified by the central government in the year 1982, simply provide that an individual would be deemed to have been “invalided” if, at the time of release, he was in a lower medical category than the one in which he was recruited.

Lawyer and author of a book on military benefits, Capt Navdeep Singh informed that the Army had also time and again taken up the issue for grant of disability pension for voluntary retirees with the central government and successive pay commissions but to no avail. The issue has also reportedly been taken up with the Sixth Pay Commission.

The Pension Regulations for the Army provide that disability pension can be granted if a person is invalided out with 20 per cent or more disability. The Regulations further provide that persons discharged on completion of terms of engagement or attaining retirement age shall also be deemed to have been invalided out.

Many ex-servicemen and lawyers have been contending that disability pension is granted as a compensation for injuries and diseases suffered due to military service and an early compassionate or voluntary discharge had nothing to do with the underlying reason behind such pension.

For some more latest news, PLEASE CLICK HERE

CLICK HERE FOR MOD ORDERS ON THE SUBJECT

(SOURCE : MAJ NAVDEEP SINGH'S INDIAN MILITARY BENEFITS BLOG)

WELFARE SCHEME(GOVT OF INDIA) : PRIME MINISTER’S MERIT SCHOLARSHIP SCHEME

       THE FOLLOWING INFO IS POSTED FOR INFORMATION OF ALL VETERANS:-
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1. INTRODUCTION

Service conditions of Defence Personnel are extremely, exacting, tough, rigorous and peculiar to the Services. To maintain a fit and youthful profile, defence personnel particularly of lower ranks are retired at a young age with limited pension, saddled with pending domestic responsibilities. The Army’s engagement in counter-insurgency operations in J&K and the North East has also resulted in casualties every year, leaving behind widows and children in need of support.

To encourage higher technical and professional educational for the wards of widows and Ex-servicemen of Armed Forces, it has been decided to introduce a new scholarship scheme known as the Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme from the Academic Year 2006-07.

2. ELIGIBILITY
Persons eligible for the Scholarship

Wards of Ex-servicemen and their widow(below Officer rank)

•Wards of widows of Ex-servicemen died in harness due to causes attributed to military service

•Widows of Ex-servicemen died in harness

•The scheme is open only for widows and unmarried wards of Ex-servicemen/widows. However, marriage/re-marriage at a subsequent date would not disqualify the awardee.

Order of Perference

If the number of applications for scholarship exceeds the approved number of scholarships, the orders of preference for allotment of scholarships will be as under:-

Category1 Wards/widows of defence personnel killed in action

Category 2 Wards of Ex-servicemen disabled in action and boarded out of service with disability attributable to military service

Category 3 Wards/Widows of defence personnel who died while in service for causes attributable to military service.

Category 4 Wards/Widows of Defence personnel disabled in service with disability attributable to military service.

Category 5 Wards of Ex-servicemen in receipt of gallantry awards

Category 6 Wards of Ex-servicemen (PBOR)

Courses eligible for scholarship

First professional degree program in engineering, medicine, dental, veterinary, MBA,MCA, etc., duly recognized by the respective Government regulatory bodies, such as All India Council for Technical education, Medical Council of India etc.

The scheme is open for courses mentioned above in recognized institutions irrespective of its location in the country vis-a vis the residence/domicile of the wards of the ESM/Widows.

Academic Requirement

At least 60% marks at the 10+2 level for the initial sanction. For renewal in subsequent years, 50% marks each year.

3. DURATION OF THE SCHOLARSHIP

Two to five years as approved by the concerned regulatory body for that program.

4. AMOUNT OF SCHOLARSHIP

The amount of scholarship would be as follows:

•Rs.1250/- per month for boys

•Rs.1500/- per month for girls

The payment of scholarship will be granted after the successful completion of each academic year, as per the percentages mentioned in the academic requirement.

Note: The amount of scholarship including any other scholarship of financial assistance from any other source will not exceed the total amount of scholarship available under this scheme.

5. RENEWAL OF SCHOLARSHIP 

Once the scholarship is awarded, the candidate is required to apply for renewal of scholarship for the subsequent year in the prescribed proforma alongwith a certificate form the College/Institute indicating that the candidates continues to study in the subject course and State of Marks indicating the percentage.

6. GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS AND PROCEDURE

i.Completed application are to be dispatched directly to Secretary, Kendriya Sainik Board, Wing No.5, West Block-IV, RK Puram, New Delhi-110 066, so as to reach by 31 August every year.

ii.Incomplete application forms and applications received after the specified date will NOT be considered. A wrong or misleading entry will lead to rejection of the application. Any deletion/correction should be initialed by the applicant himself/herself.

iii.Receipt of only those applications received by the due date will be acknowledged. Late receipted applications will not be processed.

iv.Selected applicants will be informed directly by the Kendriya Sainik Board.

v.Two stamped self addressed envelopes of 27x12 cms are to be attached with each application so as to facilitate acknowledgement of receipt of the application form.

vi.The scheme is open for widows and unmarried wards of ESM/widows. However, marriage/remarriage subsequently would not disqualify a person.

vii.The scholarship is admissible for two children only per family. Therefore, particulars of all children should be indicated in appropriate column.

viii.If an applicant granted scholarship on the basis of statement made in the application si at any subsequent date foung to have made false statement in any respect, both the wards of ESM/widow will forfeit the scholarship and no application from the ESM/widows would be entertained in future. In addition, the scholarship already granted would also have to be refunded.

ix.The attested photocopies of the supporting documents duly attested both by the Secretary, Rajya/Zilla Sainik Board and OIC Records, in case of validly adopted sons/daughters prior to the death of the deceased are to be attached with application form.

x.If the marks in the qualifying examination are expressed in grades only, then equivalent percentage(100 point scale) duly certified by the concerned Board must be furnished.

xi.All wards receiving scholarship will open individual bank accounts in the principal bank designated by the institute concerned.

xii.The wards should have secured a minimum of 60% marks at 10+2 level or equivalent in first attempt and continue to secure minimum of 50% marks uninterrupted for continuation of scholarship in every year for duration of courses ranging for a maximum period of 2 to 5 years as prescribed for that program of study. A person having been granted scholarship for one program would not be entitled for scholarship for another program.

xiii.Scholarship is meant for Medical, Dental, Veterinary, Engineering/MCA,MBA and other professional program recognized by the concerned government regulatory body for the program such as AICTE,UGC,Medical Council of India etc.

xiv.The scheme is open for courses mentioned above in recognized institutions irrespective of its location in the country vis-a vis the residence/domicile of the wards of the ESM/widows.

xv. The rate of scholarship would be Rs.1250/- per month for boys and Rs.1500/- for girls for the course as per duration mentioned in para(xii) above.

xvi.The payment of scholarship will be granted after the successful completion of each academic year, as per the percentages mentioned in “Criteria for eligibility”.

xvii.The payment for the scholarship will be centrally made by KSB directly, through account payee cheques, to be credited in personal account of the individual ward or through electronic clearing system.

xviii.If the number of applications exceeds the approved number of scholarship, the selection will be made on the basis of order of preference indicated in para 2.2 above.

xix.The amount of scholarship including any other scholarship of financial assistance from any other source should not exceed the total grant of assistance available under this scheme.

xx.The Ministry of Defence, Government of India can suitably modify these instructions to remove difficulties, if any, for successful implementation of the scheme, as may be necessary from time to time.

xxi.The decision of Secretary,KSB with regard to the admissibility of the scholarship to the wards of Ex-servicemen/widows from Armed Forces shall be final.

xxii.Ex-servicemen entitlement will be governed as per the existing definition of Ex-servicemen as may be amended from time to time.

xxiii.The application form can also be downloaded from the official websidte i.e., http://www.dgrindia.com/   However, in case the applicant submits the application in the downloaded form, the same will be accompanied by a Demand Draft or Indian Postal Order for Rs.30/- in favour of Secretary, Kendriya Sainik Board, New Delhi.

Download the Application form for  PM.S SCHOLARSHIP SCHEME FOR EX-SERVICEMEN/WIDOWS 2008-09

(SOURCE : Dept.of Sainik Welfare, AP)
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WELFARE SCHEMES/CONCESSIONS TO EX-SERVICEMEN ; GOVT OF ANDHRA PRADESH

            THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS POSTED FOR THE BENEFIT OF ALL VETERANS:-
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1.2 percent of posts reserved in Group ‘III’ and ‘IV’ in the State services.

2.Cash awards are given to winners of Gallantry and Distinguished service awards. Click here for Details >>
3.Children of Armed Forces Personnel (CAP) hailing from Andhra Pradesh are given reservation in the Educational Institutions as under :-

a) MBBS, BDS, BVSc., Nursing Trg. - 1%

b) Engg, B.Arch., B. Pharmacy, B.Sc(Agri)-- 2%

c) B.Ed.,, ITI, B.Sc(Lib.Sc) - 3%

d) Teachers Training Course - 4%

e) MCA, MBA,LLB, LLM, M.Ed, M.Tech., - 1 in block of 30 seats.

4.Exemption from payment of property tax in respect of the houses owned by Ex-Servicemen/widows of Ex-Servicemen and serving personnel for their self dwelling purpose, for one house/property. (Auth: G.O.Ms.No.83 MA, Dt.15-03-1997 of M.A and U.D (TC) Deptt.,)

5.Enhanced financial assistance @ Rs.500/-p.m. to Non-pensioner II World War Veterans, Rs.400/- for widows of World War Veterans II wef.01-12-2006.

6.The State Govt. have reserved houses constructed Andhra Pradesh Housing Board (APHB) to Ex-Servicemen, widows and serving defense personnel on cost basis as under :-

(a) HIG - 5%
(b) MIG - 5%
(c) LIG - 2%
(d) EWS - 4%

6.Ex-Servicemen who were NCOs and below are entitled for 5 acres dry land or 2.5 acres wet land. Officers and JCO's are not eligible.(Auth: G.O.Ms.No.743, Dt.30-04-1963 of Revenue Department)

7.Ex-gratia grants to all ranks who are seriously disabled and are invalidated out of service – Rs.5000/-. (Author: G.O.Ms.No.25, Dt.17-01-1986 of G.A (Poll.B) Deptt.)

8.Free legal assistance is given to the Jawans, their families, Ex-Servicemen and their dependents where the Government is not a party. The persons requiring legal assistance may apply to the concerned District or Taluk Legal Aid Committee as the case may be. (Author: G.O.Ms.No.1900,Dt.17-12-1971 of Home(Courts.A) Dept.,)

9.VAT on selected items has been exempted by the State Govt on goods sold to service personnel and ex-servicemen through Unit Run canteens(CSD).

10.10 Sainik Rest Houses in Andhra Pradesh. Click here for details . It provides accommodation to serving and Ex-Servicemen, widows and dependents at very concessional rates as under :-

(a) Officers - Rs 30 per day.
(b) JCO's - Rs 15 per day.
(c) OR - Rs 10 per day

Note: For every additional dependent member Rs 5 per day shall be charged.

11.Govt. of Andhra Pradesh have equated Defence Service Trades with Civil trades for employment in Government service.(Author :G.O.Ms.No.16, dt.12-04-1999 of L.E & T. F (Emp) Dept.)

12.Govt. of Andhra Pradesh have equated the educational qualifications in respect of Ex-Servicemen who have put in 15 years of service in the Armed Forces for all purposes (employment ) as under :-

(a) Matriculation at the time of joining Armed Forces
- Graduate

(b) Below Matriculate - Matriculate

13.5 % of Industrial Plots/Sheds on Industrial Estates/Industrial development Areas of the A.P. Infrastructure Corporation has been reserved for Ex-Servicemen for establishment of small scale industries.

14.Ex-servicemen are exempted from payment of examination fee prescribed by UPSC and APPSC for Class-III and Class-II posts for appearing in competitive examinations. (Author: G.O.Ms.No.401, dt.26-07-1973 of G.A(Ser.A) Dept.,)

15.For Self-employment schemes, financial assistance is rendered through AP State Financial Corporation.

16.District Collectors are competent to sanction old age/widow’s pension in deserving case including Ex-Servicemen @ Rs.150/-p.m.

17.War jagir allowance @ Rs.150/-p.a. for one child and Rs.50/- p.a. for every additional child sent to the Armed Forces w.e.f. 19-03-1994.

18.Ex-Servicemen suffering from T.B. are treated on par with NGO's at the State Govt. Hospitals for admission. (Author: G.O.Ms.No.2289, dt.11-10-1976 of Health, Housing and Mun. Admin Department)

19.5 percent reservation in fresh water pond culture.

20.Ex-Servicemen are given preference in allotment of route/national permits by State Transport Authorities.

(SOURCE : Dept.of Sainik Welfare, AP)
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WHO IS AN EX-SERVICEMAN? : STATUS CLARIFIED BY THE GOVT

             THE FOLLOWING IS POSTED FOR INFORMATION OF ALL VETERAN BROTHERS:-
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The eligibility of the retired Defence Personnel to the status of Ex-servicemen is governed by the definition as laid down by Government of India, Department of Personnel and Training. The definition has been undergoing changes from time to time. The following is the broad categorization:-

•Those released on or before 30-06-1968:- Any person who had served in any rank (whether as Combatant or not) in the Armed Forces of the Union and has been released there from otherwise than by way of dismissal or discharge on account of misconduct or inefficiency.

•Those released between between 01.07.1968 to 30.061979 (both days inclusive):- Any person who had served in any rank (whether as Combatant or not ) in the Armed Forces of the Union for a continuous period of six months after attestation and released there from otherwise than by way of dismissal or discharge on account of misconduct or inefficiency.

•Those released between 01.07.1979 to 30.06.1987 (both days inclusive):- Any person who had served in any rank (whether as Combatant or not) in the Armed Forces of the Indian Union for a continuous period of not less than six months after attestation if discharged for reasons other than at their own request or by way or dismissal or discharge on account of misconduct or inefficiency and not less than five years of service if discharged at own request.

•Those released on or after 01.07.1987:- Any person who had served in any rank (whether as Combatant or not) in the Armed Forces of the Indian Union and was released/retired with any kind of pension from Defence Budget or released on completion of specific terms of engagement with gratuity otherwise than at his own request or by way of dismissal or discharge on account of misconduct or inefficiency.

•The personnel of Territorial Army(TA) of the following categories, Viz., pension holders for continuous embodied service; persons with disability attributable to military service ; and gallantry award winners retired on or after 15-11-1986.

The personnel of the Army Postal Service(APS) who are a part of the regular Army and retired from such service,(i.e., directly from the Army Postal service itself without reversion to P&T Department) with a pension or who have been released from such service on medical grounds, attributable to military service or circumstances beyond their control and awarded medical or other disability pension are also covered within the definition of Ex-servicemen with effect from 19-07-1989.

Recruits who were boarded out/released on medical grounds and granted medical/disability pension will also be covered under the category of Ex-servicemen for all practical purposes.

The persons discharged before July 1987 under Army Rule 13(3) iii (v) for the reason “service no longer required” will not be eligible for the status of Ex-servicemen. Individuals discharged on or after July 1987 under Army Rule 13(3) iii (V) for the reason “service no longer required” will however qualify for the status of Ex-servicemen , if they are in receipt of pension.

The eligibility of the person to the status of Ex-servicemen will be governed by the definition in vogue at the time of his discharge and will not be affected by the changes in the definition subsequent to his discharge.
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DEFENCE PENSIONERS DRAWING PENSION FROM STATE BANK OF INDIA

          ALL VETERAN BROTHERS RESIDING IN THE STATE OF AP MAY KINDLY NOTE THE FOLLOWING INFORMAION :-
--------------------------------------------------

DEFENCE PENSIONERS DRAWING PENSION FROM STATE BANK OF INDIA ------


IN CASE, YOU FEEL YOUR REVISED PENSION W.E.F 01 JAN 2006 IS LESS, KINDLY SEND THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS (PHOTOCOPIES) FOR CORRECT FIXATION OF PENSION AND PAYMENT OF ARREARS :-

(a) PPO ALONG WITH CORRIGENDUM IF ANY.

(b) ACCOUNT NO AND POSTAL ADDRESS OF YOUR SBI BRANCH.

(c) COMMUTATION AMOUNT.

(d) PENSION PAID BY SBI SO FAR.

ADDRESS TO WHICH DOCUMENTS TO BE SENT:-


DIRECTOR SAINIK WELFARE

GRUHAKALPA PREMISES

BLOCK IV, 2ND FLOOR, MJ ROAD

NAMPALLY, HYDERABAD – 500001

TELE: 040 - 24736890, 24747991, 9177000036
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AN EX SNCO APPEALS TO ALL VETERANS TO DESIST FROM NEGATIVE COMMENTS IN CHAT BOX AGAINST OFFICERS

        ALL VETERAN BROTHERS ARE REQUESTED TO SEE THE FOLLOWING  VIEWS OF OUR VETERAN BROTHER :-
-------------------------------------------------
Respected Sir,


This has reference to chat by thomasmanimala on blog.

Please note that, our ex-servicemen are writing something anti officers, respected sir, kindly note that you a great person fight for all i.e. Officers,PBORS and NC[E] also, sir, please note that all officers are not bad like wise all PBORs are not god gifted,for example, appended below please find few commanding officers i have seen in person, they were best for Airmen, and no one can challenge that.

1] Gp Capt BS Sikand, my C.O. No 5 Wing AF
2] Gp Capt CR Bose, my CO No 6 Wing AF
3] Gp Capt Talwar, my CO No 17 Wing AF
4] Gp Capt MD Lalwani my CO No 505 SU AF

Respected sir, we are ex-servicemen,. and to achieve our goals, we need support from every individual, kindly ask these persons to be decent at list while writing on blog because it is a public platform and everybody other than Ex-Servicemen also read it.

Thanks & Regards,

Ex-SGT Walawalkar JY
INDIAN AIR FORCE (VIA - E-mail)
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LETTER TO BAPU FROM GENERATION NEXT

           All veteran Brothers may go thro this article, if they wish, by an young/famous writer CHETAN BHAGAT, for an interesting reading:-
-----------------------------------------------------------
Chetan Bhagat4 October 2009, 12:25am IST

Dear Gandhiji,

You left us 62 years ago. If you were still around, you would have been 140 years old. However, we have not forgotten you. You are on every banknote and most stamps. There are many statues of you. Prestigious roads in almost every city are named after you. Our politicians try to model themselves on you. They wear the fabric you promoted, they quote you at every instance, they've got a photograph of you in their office and some even eat and live like you. There are books, TV programmes and movies about you. Seriously you'd be impressed at how much we still adore you.

However, there are things that won't make you feel proud. The India you spent all your life making free, is far from free. True, the white guys are gone. But there are still millions of poor people. In 60 years, we are still among the poorest nations on earth. This lack of money leads to a lot of problems in healthcare, infrastructure and education. In education, for instance, many children still don't go to a good school. Those who do, don't get into good colleges. And those who go to college, don't get good jobs. We need to get rich, and fast. Not only to make more schools and colleges, but also because most Indian problems are linked to lack of money. Yet, it is considered un-Indian to think that way. The young generation, which thinks like that, is considered materialistic and greedy. The older generation takes the moral high ground - slowness in work is termed patience, non-stop discussion and no action is called careful consideration and lack of improvement in standards of living is countered with claims about the need to live with austerity. And yes, in many cases politicians who speak like this claim to be your fanboys.

The younger generation wishes you could come down for one day and clarify these points. Is progress un-Indian? Is change bad? Is a desire to see my country as rich as some other nations materialistic? Is getting things done fast impatience? If you blessed our purpose of making a developed India, the job would become so much easier.

The young generation needs you down here for something else too. We have a new battle here, just like the one you fought with the British. The enemy is not so clear like it was in your case - the white people. Our enemy is the old school of thought, or rather the people who defend the old school of thought. They do this in the name of antique Indian policies, culture and values. You could help identify this enemy more clearly. Many people who are at the helm of affairs now have served India for decades, maybe with good intentions. But obviously, they don't want to accept they screwed up. We wish they would though and we'd have a national day of shame. It won't be easy, but from there we can make a new beginning. But they won't, for they are in power. And to defend themselves and their ways, they don't mind crushing the aspirations, ideas and talent of an entire generation.

Yes, there is a lot of talk of India being a young nation and youth power. However, youth power is the biggest myth going around India right now. Of course, youth has spending power - we can buy enough SIM cards, sneakers and fizzy drinks to keep many MNCs in business. But we do not have the power to change things. Can the youth get a new college opened? Can the youth ask the government to give tax incentives to MNCs to relocate jobs to smaller towns? No way. We are wooed, used but seldom heard. If you came down, you could unite us. You used religious festivals as social events and propagated your cause. You understood that people need entertainment to bind them. Perhaps, we could integrate colleges in the same way, link all colleges - maybe for their annual festivals - and the message of change could be channelled through them. We have amazing technology such as the Internet now.

You would use it so well. If the youth unites, there could actually be youth power.

With our purpose blessed, enemy identified and youth united - we could take the first steps towards the new Indian revolution. After all, China had one, and only after that, did they get on the path of true progress.

But if it is not feasible for you to come back, we'll have to try to bring about change ourselves. If we can be inspired to do that, we can say we have not forgotten you and understand the meaning of your birthday. We hope you had a good one up there!

Lots of love,

the younger generation
(also known as Youngistan, Gen X, Gen Next and Gen Y depending on the brand you're talking about)

The writer is a bestselling author
(SOURCE ; TIMES OF INDIA 04.10.2009)
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IN LIGHTER VEIN - WE ARE LIKE THIS ONLY, EASY TO IDENTIFY

         ALL VETERAN BROTHERS,.... HERE....SOME MORE.....FOR FUN''''''
-----------------------------------------------
We are like this only so true, so very true........ .

1. Everything you eat is savored in garlic, onion and tomatoes.

2.. You try and reuse gift wrappers, gift boxes, and of course aluminum foil.

3. You are always standing next to the two largest size suitcases at the Airport.

4. You arrive one or two hours late to a party - and think it's normal.

5. You peel the stamps off letters that the Postal Service missed to stamp.

6. You recycle Wedding Gifts, Birthday Gifts and Anniversary Gifts.

7. You name your children in rhythms (example, Sita & Gita, Ram & Shyam, Kamini & Shamini..)

8. All your children have pet names, which sound nowhere, close to their real names.

9. You take Indian snacks anywhere it says 'No Food Allowed.'

10. You talk for an hour at the front door when leaving someone's house.

11. You load up the family car with as many people as possible.

12. HIGH PRIORITY ***** You use plastic to cover anything
new in your house whether it's the remote control, VCR, carpet
or new couch. *****

13. Your parents tell you not to care what your friends think,
but they won't let you do certain things because of what the
other 'Uncles and Aunties' will think.

14. You buy and display crockery, which is never used,
as it is for special occasions, which never happen.

15. You have a vinyl tablecloth on your kitchen table.

16.. You use grocery bags to hold garbage.

17. You keep leftover food in your fridge in as many numbers
of bowls as possible.

18. Your kitchen shelf is full of jars, varieties of bowls and
plastic utensils (got free with purchase of other stuff)

19. You carry a stash of your own food whenever you
travel (and travel means any car ride longer than 15 minutes).

20. You own a rice cooker or a pressure cooker.

21. You fight over who pays the dinner bill.

22. You live with your parents and you are
40 years old. (And they prefer it that way).

23. You don't use measuring cups when cooking.

24. You never learnt how to stand in a queue.

25. You can only travel if there are 5 persons
at least to see you off or receive you whether
you are traveling by bus, train or plane.

26. If she is NOT your daughter, you always take
interest in knowing whose daughter has run with
whose son and feel proud to spread it at the velocity
of more than the speed of light.

27. You only make long distance calls after 11p.m.

28. If you don't live at home, when your parents call,
they ask if you've eaten, even if it's midnight

29. You call an older person you never met
before Uncle or Aunty.

30. When your parents meet strangers and talk for a few
minutes, you discover you're talking to a distant cousin..

31. Your parents don't realize phone connections to
foreign countries have improved in the last two decades,
and still scream at the top of their lungs when making
foreign calls.

32. You have bed sheets on your sofas so as to
keep them from getting dirty.

33. Its embarrassing if you're wedding has less than 600 people.

34. All your Tupperware is stained with food color.

35. You have drinking glasses made of steel.

36. You have mastered the art of bargaining in shopping.

37. You have really enjoyed reading this mail -
forward it to as many Indians as possible.

..AND....I STILL LOVE TO BE AN INDIAN. JAI HO.
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LIGHTER SIDE ; SOME CLEVER BUSINESS SIGNS

1.    All Veteran Brothers, now some lighter side, for your view:-

------------------------------

1) At an Optometrist's office:
 "If you don't see what you're looking for, you've come to the right place."

2) In a Restaurant window:
"Don't stand there hungry. Come on in and get fed-up."

3) In a Podiatrist's office:
"Time wounds all heels."

4) On a Plumber's Shop:
"We repair what your husband fixed."

5) On the trucks of a plumbing company:
 "Don't sleep with a drip. Call us."

6) Pizza Shop Slogan:
"Seven days without pizza makes one weak."

7) At a Tyre Shop:
"Invite us to your next blowout."

8) On a Plastic Surgeon's Office door:
 "Hello. Can we pick your nose?"

9) At a Towing company:
 "We don't charge an arm and a leg. We want tows."

10) On an Electrician's truck:
 "Let us remove your shorts."

11) In a Nonsmoking Area:
"If we see smoke, we will assume you are on fire and put you out."

12) On a Septic Tank Truck sign:
"We're No.1 in the No.2 business."

13) On a Fence:
 "Salesmen welcome! Dog food is expensive."

14) At a Car Dealership:
"The best way to get back on your feet -- miss a car payment."

15) Outside a Muffler Shop:
"No appointment necessary. We hear you coming."

16) At the Electric Company:
"We would be delighted if you send in your payment.
However, if you don't, you will be de-Lighted."

17) In the front yard of a Funeral Home:
 "Please drive carefully. We will wait"
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(Source - Posted by Giant Slayer )

DEFENDING THE HONOUR OF THE FORCES - THE BRITISH WAY

1.     The following is posted for general information of all Veteran brothers:-
----------------------------------------
 "Army chief quits suddenly as protests over troops mount"

An army major general who was extremely critical of the government's treatment of British troops in Afghanistan has suddenly resigned, the Ministry of Defence confirmed.

Andrew Mackay, who was recently promoted general officer commanding of the army in Scotland, the north of England, and Northern Ireland, is the latest high-flying senior army officer to quit early amid protests at the treatment of the forces.

As the brigadier commanding British troops in southern Afghanistan in 2007 and 2008, he said he had felt like a student – getting to grips with Afghanistan, counter-insurgency and managing a large organisation. He said he was struck by the lack of clear direction from above. There was a sense of "making it up as we go along", he said.

Mackay signed a "ground truth" memo, sent to London, which listed serious problems with his soldiers' equipment. It noted that many of the Household Cavalry's elderly Scimitar reconnaissance tanks had defective engines. Tanks labelled "working" could not get into reverse gear without restarting the engine, a limitation "not helpful in combat", the memo said.

A quarter of the Mastiff armoured vehicles were out of action for weeks because of suspension problems, and many of the new Vector armoured vehicles in Helmand were not being used because "the wheels just kept falling off". Heavy machine guns and reinforced Land Rovers were also in short supply, the memo added.

The memo was disclosed earlier this year in the book Operation Snakebite, by Stephen Grey, a journalist who witnessed the recapture of the town of Musa Qaleh from the Taliban, the pivotal operation of Mackay's tour for which he was awarded the CBE.

Other former British commanders in Afghanistan to have resigned prematurely include brigadier Ed Butler, who was commander in southern Afghanistan in 2006 when the then defence secretary John Reid expressed the hope that British troops would not fire a shot in anger.

Butler's decision to quit in 2008 prompted speculation that he was leaving because of frustration at the failure to provide adequate funding for the armed forces. He had spoken of the "well-known constraints and restraints" within which his soldiers were required to operate in combat operations. He resigned soon after Lt Col Stuart Tootal, who left in disgust over what he called the "appalling" and "shoddy" treatment of troops."

( Source: The Guardian, UK)
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Girls march topless in UK to support British soldiers

A dozen women paraded through Manchester topless to show their support for British troops fighting abroad. They stripped off to persuade onlookers and members of the public to dig deep and donate to plastic buckets to raise cash for British Forces. The group campaigns to get better equipment for British Forces.

(SOURCE : The Times of India- (TIMES GLOBAL), Oct  01,2009.
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