Great initiative by the Indian Army
By M S Nazki
Let us be practical in admitting the fact hat only the Indian army can do what they have done in UT Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh! really the men in Olive Greens or camouflages have done it in only one way and that is move ahead with all the positiveness in mind!
-Every woman in this world wears a little sparkle, some in their dress, and some in their eyes!
-I was reading about the P. Varsha foundation and I would like to share with the readers as to what I read!
-India, a Nation held together by the sacrifices of approximately 14 Lakh valiant serving Soldiers in the three branches of the Indian Armed Forces and an estimated 5.5 Lakhs serving Soldiers in the eight Indian Paramilitary Forces ( CAPFs/CPOs ).
-Behind these numbers also lies a staggering reality – a silent Army of 07 Lakh Martyr Widows hailing from rural Villages, bearing the burden of 15 Lakh dependents, who have paid the ULTIMATE price for our Freedom, a price measured by precious BLOOD of their sole breadwinner.
-As a proud Second-generation descendant of the Indian Army, our Founder Mr. Prashant Tewari carries a deep understanding of the Daily sacrifices made by these Foot Soldiers. Yet, the stories & daily sacrifices of our lowest ranks / Foot Soldiers ( i.e., of Jawans, Sepoy / Agniveers, Lance Naik, Naik & Havaldar) all hailing from the heart of extremely rural villages, often remain unnoticed on platforms like LinkedIn as they don’t have a presence, due to their socio economic background but in reality they are & REMAIN the real backbone of our Defence Forces since Centuries.
-The foundation is passionately committed to bridging this gap on ground, delving into the Legacies ( Martyr Widows, Disabled Soldiers & their dependents), complexities, and expectations of these unsung Heroes and their families. Each day unveils more about their struggles.
-Mission is clear – to create a meaningful impact, no matter how small, in a cause that beats close to our hearts – to empower them towards a ‘Sustainable and Dignified Life’
-Their grass root Organization stands duly recognized by the Government of India, Niti Aayog, and the Prime Minister’s Office. We maintain regular interactions with all branches of the Indian Armed Forces and Indian Paramilitary forces on our Charter, offering unwavering support.
-This is nothing but sheer brilliance!
-This is one side of the story but there is another side too and that says what in actuality is happening on the ground zero but before that a small little episode!
-A True story of a Brave Veer Nari !
-Today I want to share a true and a very inspiring story of a Veer Nari Smt Bimla Rana w/o Late L/Nk Inder Rana of 6 Kumaon. The brave heart was martyred during Kargil operations. The Veer Nari was only 21 years old then with two daughters and a son. The eldest Meenakshi was all of six years old. The second daughter Ritu was just 2 1/2 years old and the youngest son Kuldip Was only a year and a half.
-The veer nari did not get any support from her in-laws and other relatives. She had no place to stay with her three young children. She had no wherewithal to look after her children or educate them. The Kumaon Regiment runs a war widows hostel at the Regimental Centre at Ranikhet. She approached the Centre Commandant for accommodation in the hostel which was immediately accepted. Smt Bimla Rana started to re-create her and her children’s life. She put Meenakshi in the govt school at Ranikhet. Meenakshi started her education in this Hindi Medium School. She always used to say ‘Main Fauj Mein Jaaoonga. Main Fauji Banoonga.’
-This used to have a strange effect on Smt Bimla Rana. She used to imagine Meenakshi as a L/Nk of 6 Kumaon like her late husband. Little did she realise that fate had much more in store for her and her children. Meenakshi kept nurturing her ambition of joining the Army. Smt Bimla Rana would cry in isolation how could a girl become a sepoy. Being uneducated she was unaware of the Women entry scheme. One day in a veer nari welfare meet she discussed her problem with the Centre Commandant’s wife. The Centre Commandant’s wife arranged a meeting with her husband. The Commandant explained the details of the Women entry scheme to her and said for this Meenakshi needed to study in an English medium school. Smt Bimla Rana was taken aback by this information. How could a poor uneducated widow afford to get her daughter educated in an English medium school? But the resolve of Meenakshi kept on motivating her. Meenakshi was an intelligent student. After she completed her fifth class Smt Bimla Rana with the help from the then Centre Commandant got the application for admission of Meenakshi in Ashok Hall Girls Residential School in Ranikhet.
-This proved to be a turning point in the life of Smt Bimla Rana and her children. Meenakshi, being intelligent, cleared her admission test and got admission in Ashok Hall Girls Residential School. She completed her 12th with 90 percent marks and decided to do her graduation from DU. She applied for SRCC and got admission there. After completing her B Com from DU she applied for the Women entry scheme and got through in the first attempt. After completing her training at Officers’ Training Academy, Chennai, she got commissioned in the Army Ordnance Corps.!
‘The sky has always been purple for the women but they know that they have to fight it out as well as slog it out so girls and ladies, wear your strength like armour, fight like a beast. Do not let them tell you that you belong to them.
Be fearless. Be a lioness. Be like lava. Rip them apart, and burn their bones (circumstances). And when you are done, tell the world that you belong to no man. That you are a lady, a warrior, a tsunami, and you belong only to yourself!
-Probably that is what the Fire and Fury thinks about the future of the ladies in ladakh and this is what they did!
-Leh Sub Area alongwith Looms of Ladakh sponsored a three month residential Business Management Certificate Course for ten women from Ladakh, which was conducted at Handloom School, Maheshwar, Madhya Pradesh from 15 Nov 2023 to 29 Feb 2024.
-Post completion of the training, the ladies were welcomed back at the Women Empowerment Centre, Leh on the occasion of International Women’s Day 2024. The trainees shared their experiences and were handed over certificates on successful completion of the course.
-One Veer Nari, one widow and four dependents of veterans and serving personnel from Ladakh were also a part of this training.
-During the three months training, the attendees were given exposure to designing, weaving, business management, marketing and merchandising of products. The ladies had previously undergone intensive training at Women Empowerment Centre of Fire and Fury Corps which has emerged as a major hub for empowerment of women of Ladakh, assisting them to become self-reliant, in line with the broader national vision and sponsoring NARI SHAKTI.
Another great initiative by the Indian Army! the people want more then give them more! Ladakh by the way is the closest to the Indian Army! And I do not have to tell you as to why?
The more we see ourselves as a vibrant, successful, inspiring person who boldly declares and manifests our vision, the more we become just that. Thanks to the Indian Army!
