Port Blair, Dec 01: An Ex-Servicemen Mela was organised on 29 Nov 14 at Dweepika Auditorium, INS Jarawa, Port Blair by the Naval Component as part of Navy Week Celebrations. The event was held to address the issues of our Armed Forces Veterans living in the Islands. A large number of Ex-Servicemen belonging to the Army, Navy and Air Force, their families and widows attended the function. Maj Gen PK Siwach, Chief of Staff, Headquarters Andaman & Nicobar Command was the Chief Guest. In his opening address, the Chief Guest brought out that welfare of Ex-Servicemen was one of the topmost priority of Government of India and the Service Headquarters, and was being ensured by Zila / Rajya Sainik Boards at Government level and through Regimental Centres / Unit by Army, Naval Regimental System by Navy and Air Veterans by Air Force. He apprised the Ex-Servicemen of the various welfare measures declared by the Hon’ble Lt Governor in the XIV Rajya Sainik Meet, welfare initiatives of the government and each service in matters of Pension, Health and Canteen facilities. He exhorted the Veterans to encourage youth of the Islands to join the Armed Forces and serve the Nation. He later interacted with the Veterans and widows and addressed their grievances and suggestions.
During the Mela, facilities for checking of life style diseases like diabetes, hypertension and obesity was also undertaken. Details of various welfare and saving schemes were provided by Cdr (Retd) N M Hanifa, Officer in-Charge ECHS Polyclinic, Port Blair and representatives of SBI, Army, Navy and Air Force.
