Tura, Dec 12: A Mega Ex Servicemen (ESM) Rally was organised on Tuesday at Headquarters 101 Area, Indian Army, and Rajya Sainik Board, Meghalaya, at Tura.
The rally was attended by an ex-serviceman, Veer Naris, hailing from Meghalaya.
The rally aimed at ex-servicemen, war veterans, disabled soldiers, and war widows to express solidarity and demonstrate that they remain inseparable members of the Armed Forces fraternity even after retirement.
The event included Unit Run Canteen Counters, Medical Camps, and Grievance Cells facilitated by organisations such as the Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS), Zilla Sainik Board (ZSB), SBI, PNB, IndusInd Bank, and ICICI. Its primary objective is to cater to a range of issues affecting ex-servicemen and their families. Special emphasis will be placed on resolving pension and SPARSH (System for Pension Administration (Raksha)-related matters, alongside raising awareness about the various benefits provided by ECHS, the Army Welfare and Education Society (AWES), as well as the Central/State and state governments. SPARSH, an initiative by the Ministry of Defence, aligns with the government’s vision of Digital India, Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), and “Minimal Government, Maximum Governance,” aiming to offer a comprehensive solution for the administration of pensions to defence pensioners.
The rally saw participation from senior officers of the Armed Forces and other prominent civil dignitaries. Serving as an interactive platform, the event aims to address and alleviate concerns related to pension, medical care, healthcare, re-employment, and the resolution of grievances.
A mega-ex-servicemen rally was recently conducted by Headquarters 101 Area, Indian Army, and Rajya Sainik Board, Meghalaya, on November 24, 2023, at the 58 Gorkha Training Center, Happy Valley, Shillong.
 Rally was organised on Tuesday at Headquarters 101 Area, Indian Army, and Rajya Sainik Board, Meghalaya, at Tura.){kind=link}