Navi Mumbai:
One would probably be surprised to learn that there are apparently some residents in the Adarsh Housing Society who are genuine, bona fide Army veterans, who fought in Kargil.
"Trauma of Kargil operations were less than this controversy. Looking for a home of our choice has become more torturous," said Lt Col Rajeev Kumar Singh, a Kargil war veteran.
Humiliated and disturbed, Rajeev now faces a loss of Rs 65 lakh. He pooled in his life's savings to buy a two-bedroom flat at the controversial Adarsh Housing Society.
Of the 104 flat owners, Singh is perhaps one of the few genuine Kargil war veterans, in whose name the society was initially promoted.
In 1999, he was a Major with 17 Jat regiment and was part of the operation to capture Pimple Complex located west of Tiger Hill.
"We were told Adarsh was for retired and serving soldiers and not just for Kargil war heroes and widows," said Lt Col Singh.
But his more immediate worry is the possibility of the entire building being demolished after it was declared illegal by Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh.
"My appeal to the government is that there are genuine war veterans. Let them not suffer and become victims," said Lt Col Singh.
"Just a roof over our heads. Is that too much to ask for?" this is an embarrassing question posed by the Kargil war hero, who says there are several other armed forces personnel who are genuine members of the Adarsh Sociery. India's war veterans feel shamed and let down by politicians, bureaucrats and senior defence officers.
"Trauma of Kargil operations were less than this controversy. Looking for a home of our choice has become more torturous," said Lt Col Rajeev Kumar Singh, a Kargil war veteran.
Humiliated and disturbed, Rajeev now faces a loss of Rs 65 lakh. He pooled in his life's savings to buy a two-bedroom flat at the controversial Adarsh Housing Society.
Of the 104 flat owners, Singh is perhaps one of the few genuine Kargil war veterans, in whose name the society was initially promoted.
In 1999, he was a Major with 17 Jat regiment and was part of the operation to capture Pimple Complex located west of Tiger Hill.
"We were told Adarsh was for retired and serving soldiers and not just for Kargil war heroes and widows," said Lt Col Singh.
But his more immediate worry is the possibility of the entire building being demolished after it was declared illegal by Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh.
"My appeal to the government is that there are genuine war veterans. Let them not suffer and become victims," said Lt Col Singh.
"Just a roof over our heads. Is that too much to ask for?" this is an embarrassing question posed by the Kargil war hero, who says there are several other armed forces personnel who are genuine members of the Adarsh Sociery. India's war veterans feel shamed and let down by politicians, bureaucrats and senior defence officers.
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