Our war heros Our defense forces, army, navy, air force are the backbone of our Democracy and all that makes us a proud country. It is high time that we think with highest respect and dignity the role of the defenses forces that secures our very existence as a Nation. It is the only profession where they are paid to die, so thye say and how true. Time and again we are informed that our armed forces are not properly equipped in time to deal with exigencies and that even terrorists have more sophisticate weapons systems. It is only war clouds that make us think of their invaluable services., There must be priority at the highest level to expeditiously meet all requirement of armaments, food, facilities, equipment that make them perform professionally , effectively and not beg for their rights, There is always amounting grievance grievance about their pay scales, that they have to resort to agitation for their rightful dues in comparison ,may it be increments, arrears, promotional avenues and post retirement benefits. There are a lot of vacant openings crying to be filled in the defense forces, because they are not attractive in terms of the risk involve led and short tenures
We glorify them in death, pompous funerals, gun salutes, attendance by dignataries and use reams of printed material, electronic media to highlight their sacrifices for a brief period. Then within a short time all is forgotten and their families are made to run from pillar to post for their legitimate dues and who may not be even aware and familiar to comply with formal the procedures and which should be completed while in service, rather then leaving scope for differential interpretations. There is a need to immediately provide their dues even before the funereal is over, wherever there is a legal family and dependant children. Platitudes and praises do not meet their financial liabilities,. Immediately disburse at leasttheir partial allocation and within a specified period but not later than two months. Complete all formalities of financial dues by cutting red tapes and unnecessary formalities and institute a body to deal with these formalities at all state levels. Ex gratia payments, land allocation, housing, finance, grants, scholarship for children education, compassionate employment must be swift and immediate. We are all too familiar with the pains and tortures of the families of martyrs forced to cope up with life after the death of their loved one and at times only bread winner. The soldiers must in laying their life for the safety of nation, must be assured that their families will not be left in lurch for basic wants and needs. The Nation that does not value the services of its forces with highest priority and with concern and swiftness will only lament at their halfhearted involvement and even discounted patriotism. Those physically disabled must receive sympathy, training and rehabilitation expeditiously Our forces therefore ,who sacrifice their life to protect us and our borders, when we are peacefully at sleep must feel confident about the hope that grateful nations will value their contributions more so in their absence .There too many forgotten heores and families that only have tears as their best possession in distress and memories that are a permanent scar Nelson Lopes Chinchinim