Veterans dine on war memories

Most of the veterans, now in their seventies and eighties, had joined the Indian Army in 1940 on a short service commission. While many of them were grateful for the monthly grant of Rs 300 announced by the state government a few years ago, others complained that it was too inadequate.

Though the amount is inadequate, it is a good gesture by the government,” said 76-year-old Nariman Balsara, who complained about the neglect of war veterans by the Government of India.

Organised by the 8th Battalion of the Garhwal Rifles, which is also celebrating its 50th year this year. Today’s function was marked by a barakhana’ where the veteran soldiers dined with contemporary army personnel. Earlier, the veterans introduced themselves and narrated anecdotes about the war and their experiences.

These war veterans were recruited at the height of World War II with the Japanese army knocking at the India’s doors, and discharged when the British empire began disintegrating.

They restarted their lives with new careers. Ignatius D’Mello, a military vehicle instructor in Burma in the army over 50 years ago, retired a few years ago as a scientist from the Central Food Technical Research Institute . “I joined the army purely for adventure, I saw it all, ” he says.

Nariman Balsara joined the BMC and later the New India Assurance company before setting up his own automobile workshop.