Indian Army Only Now Begins To Address Issues Of Veterans

KOLKATA, (IANS) – The Indian Armed Forces may employ nearly 1.4 million people but there is little awareness of the complexities involved in the return of a soldier to civilian life after years in service.

To create awareness among authorities, the Rajya Sainik Board, West Bengal, organized a seminar on ‘Transition of a Soldier to a Veteran’.

The Rajya Sainik Board, West Bengal, is the first one in the country to offer a month-long internship to UG/PG and PhD students on the subject ‘Transition of a Soldier to a Veteran’. Rajya Sainik Boards look after the welfare of veterans and keep them updated on benefits due.

“This is a very important issue. Veterans and their beneficiaries are often not aware of the latest schemes that the government comes up with. There are several issues related to pension and healthcare benefits. A Soldier who has spent the better part of his life in uniform may not be aware of how to go about things after retirement. Several such issues were discussed at the seminar. An effort was made to sensitize senior administrative officials about the needs of veterans, so they may lead their lives with dignity and self-respect, as they did while being in service. Such events are extremely important as the subject is not covered in military or civil services training academies,” a senior official of the West Bengal Rajya Sainik Board said.