I believe we need to give OROP (One Rank One Pension) to our servicemen now. I am a serviceman's wife, the daughter and daughter-in-law of ex-servicemen. OROP must be implemented ASAP.
The assurance has come that the policy will be implemented soon, but no time frame has come. We are all waiting for an announcement, hoping that the PM announces this soon so that veterans can go back home from their protests at Delhi's Jantar Mantar.
I feel that the babus (bureaucrats) are putting a spanner in the works.
Earlier there was talk of some retired officers starting a fast unto death. We saw emotional scene, but I know they will not do anything to disturb the peace. It is, however, disheartening to see 80-90-year-olds sitting on a hunger strike. This should alarm each of us - here is an army which stood by the nation when it wanted something, it is that time that the nation gives back to veterans.
I travelled from Hissar in Haryana to be here. Whether that helps or not, I am not sure. It is for you to decide. I hope that the government takes notice, I hope that the media plays up this issue. My father (General (retd) VK Singh has written to the PM and met him. My father is a minister in this government, of course, but he is a former serviceman first. That is why I am here. We are coming across as an ungrateful nation, we need to look after our soldiers, we need to introspect where we have gone wrong. I will certainly ask my father to join the protests, and ask the PM to visit the veterans here along with the Defence Minister.
This is my message - Honourable PM, request you to take care of our veterans, please announce OROP ASAP.
I will come back for sure, I have a school-going son, but I will return. Through you, I appeal for children and grand kids to come here on the 27th to agitate. Our veterans are old, it is not fair to get them to agitate.
(Mrinalini Singh is the daughter of General VK Singh, the former army chief, who is now a union minister. Ms Singh joined army veterans in Delhi on Sunday to protest against the government's delay in introducing the one-rank-one-pension policy, which would ensure that soldiers and officers of the same rank get the same pension upon retirement.)Disclaimer: The opinions expressed within this article are the personal opinions of the author. The facts and opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of NDTV and NDTV does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.