This is absolutely brilliant and only the War Wounded Foundation can think about such ventures!

By M S Nazki

Anything was better than the blood and carnage, the grime and filth, the impossible demands made on the body—anything, that is, except letting down their buddies. We time and again have said it and hence are repeating the same here because the man whom we are going to talk about is other than Brigadier Harcharan Singh VSM (Retd ) !

-The first man stepped up to the open door. All the men had been ordered to look out at the horizon, not straight down, for obvious psychological reasons. Harcharan believed in this adage!

-During their two-day rally, an interaction was carried out in Jammu Cantonment between 110 disabled soldiers and prominent Citizens / Organizations of Jammu.

-“This was a unique interaction, where the Citizens Felicitated the War Heroes and expressed their gratitude for the sacrifices made by the soldiers,” Jammu defence PRO Lt Col Suneel Bartwal said.

-“Travel Agents Association, Jammu made commendable efforts to bring various Organizations under one umbrella , with the presence of imminent Citizens,” he said.

• We firmly believe that only a combat soldier has the right to judge another combat soldier.

-Brig Harcharan Singh, VSM (Retd) He has experience of various military operations at places like Siachen, Andaman, Manipur, Nagaland and J&K. During Army service,he was decorated with awards of VSM and COAS Commendation Card. In 1994, he was declared winner of the Gold Medal of the prestigious USI Essay Competition.

-About War Wounded Foundation

-Raised as a Non Governmental Organisation (NGO) at Delhi by Lt Gen Vijay Oberoi and Maj Gen Ian Cardozo, the War Wounded Foundation has been working to empower War Wounded Soldiers by converting Disability into Ability.

-Presently, Lt Gen Asit Mistri (Retired) is the President of WWF.

-Retired Army persons are appointed in different geographic zones, for maintaining intricate and close Liaison with the Disabled Soldiers.

-“WWF has been able to provide a common platform to all the Injured Soldiers and is putting sustained efforts in a systematic and effective way to understand, analyze and project various issues related to Wounded Soldiers with the appropriate authorities.”

-“Injuries have an effect on the physical and mental health of a soldier.”

-WWF has set up a Chair of Excellence at USI, New Delhi, for research on issues related to Injured Soldiers, and the recommendations are put forward to the Government.

-Lt Gen Asit Mistri (Retired) educated the gathering about the efforts of WWF, to help Injured Soldiers in various fields.

-Mr. ID Soni spoke on the requirement of Sacrifices to maintain Freedom and the need to keep the Morale of Soldiers high by including stories of their valor in school text books to make the youth proud of the Armed Forces.

-Vote of Thanks was delivered by Capt Anil Gour, on behalf of all Organizations of Jammu.

-Officials of Chamber of Commerce, BBIA, Travel Agents Association, Raghunath Bazar Business Association, PHDCCI, Jammu Hills Club, NCCHWO, Rotary Club Jammu Tawi/Jammu Elite/City, Old Age Home Amphalla, Agarwwal Samaj, SS Jain Sabha Talab Tiloo/Trikuta Nagar, Jain Mahila Mandal Talab Tillo and Greater Jammu Virtual felicitated the Brave Soldiers.

-As a gesture to exhibit Jointness of efforts, officials of various Organizations extended their support to find suitable Employment in Industries for Injured soldiers. The occasion was graced by Senior Army Officers from Nagrota and Jammu.

-The GOC White Knight Corps presented 10 Modified Scooters to Injured Soldiers. “This would make them independent for their day today movements and help them to start new ventures.”

-A Symposium was also held by experts in the field of Mental and physical health (Dr Vikas Padha, MD), Job Opportunities (Mr Anil Suri) and Motivation and Positivity(Col Ajay Raina,SM).

-This happened in November in the year 2024!

Raised as a Non Governmental Organisation (NGO) at Delhi by Lt Gen Vijay Oberoi and Maj Gen Ian Cardozo, the War Wounded Foundation has been working to empower War Wounded Soldiers by converting Disability into Ability. Presently, Lt Gen Asit Mistri (Retired) is the President of WWF.

Retired Army persons are appointed in different geographic zones, for maintaining intricate and close Liaison with the Disabled Soldiers.

-Government Self Employment Schemes under KVIB were covered by Brig Harcharan Singh, Director North WWF.

-The Govt Policies and new additions were explained by Col Veteran from Pathankot.

Lt Gen Asit Mistry covered various initiatives of WWF providing support to Disabled soldiers through various schemes.

They are also visited, in the process, by officials of WWF, which cements the bond of brotherhood and Camaraderie further. Various initiatives undertaken by WWF are as under:-

(a) Provision of Modified Scooters/ Electric Wheelchair to Disabled Veterans.

(b)Modification of Bathrooms, to make them User Friendly.

(c) Financial Help for Daughter’s Marriage.

(d) Help to Disabled Veterans to start a new Venture.

(e) Participation in various Sports events like Bombay Marathon by Disabled Soldiers, to motivate disabled soldiers to face the challenges of life and develop a positive outlook.

(f)Suppost other ventures/events connected with Disabled Soldier.

Few War Wounded Soldiers shared their experiences on initiatives taken by them in living life with a positive outlook, by active participation in Social life, Sports ,Social Welfare activities and Business.

“There is a plan to start a helpline, which would enable Experts to provide Counseling to the Injured Soldiers. Ex HOD of Jammu University, Prof(Dr) Arti Bakshi was present to announce her support for the venture.”

3. Schemes include provision of Mobility Eqpt, Modification of Bathrooms in homes of war wounded personnel to make them disabled friendly, skill Trg incl for the wards, financial assistance for Daughter’s Marriage and venture capital if a soldier wants to start a new venture etc.
4. Frequent get together of War Injured Soldiers conducted to elevate Spirit The Corps, inculcate Camaraderie and share experiences.
5. ⁠Support adventure & sporting activities by War Wounded personnel including participation in Mumbai Marathon, Veterans’ Marathon etc.
6. ⁠ Undertake research in conjunction with USI on issues affecting war disabled persons. WWF has established a Chair of Excellence in this regard at USI.
7. WWF is able to serve the War Wounded with active sp of the Army. The active involvement of the Army, other NGOs as well as civil society enables WWF to sp the soldiers through our schemes.

This is absolutely brilliant and only the Indian Army can think about such ventures!