The Udaipur Mandal Ex-services league (UMESL) is organizing a veteran run on Sunday, October 9, 2011 at Fateh Sagar and the event will start at 0700 hours from link canal at PP Singhal Marg.

Armed Forces ESM Veterans’ Run is a joint initiative of Udaipur Mandal Ex-services league and Military Station, Eklingarh as a symbolic action of unification, reiteration and expression of solidarity with civilian population in terms of the charter and spirit.

According to retired Brigadier Dr. Chandra Prakash Joshi (in photo above) Vice-chairman, Udaipur Zila Sainik Board, “Approximately 200 participants are expected in the event which also intends to inform and aware the armed force veterans about the mass meeting “Pension Adalat” which will be held in December this year.”

“With a slogan ‘For Healthy Heart Healthy Nation’ the 2.5 km run will consist of exercise, walk and run as per participant’s limit,” said retired Brig. Dr. C.P Joshi who also holds a position of President, UMESL.

While talking to UT correspondent retired Brig. Dr. C.P Joshi disclosed that there are various problems that veteran military men are facing regarding pension and pension increment. He says, “There are number of retired military men who are not getting pensions from last 2 years while some are receiving their pension after several delays.”

Explaining the cause of this problem he said, “We have special branch and an officer who manages the pension and appointed a few nationalize banks that are authorized to keep the account of all pensioners but unfortunately most of the banks have failed to operate systematically causing problem for ex-servicemen. This problem is mostly in southern Rajasthan.”

Describing the other purpose of this run besides its health related benefits, retired officer said,“This run will help us to inform all military veterans about our upcoming event in December this year, we are expecting 30,000 people to attend that meeting which is to raise the issue of pension.”

UMESL is a constituent body of All India Ex service League, registered by Govt. of India, Ministry of Defense as the only registered representative body of the Defense Veterans of India.