The Defence personnel of India are the nation’s protectors. They work in the Indian Armed Forces with courage and loyalty and keep the country safe and strong. They need respect and support for their work. But they may have problems in their life after service, like disability, disease, poverty, or lack of education. They may also need help for their families, like education, medical treatment, marriage, or funeral. The government of India has made a scheme called Raksha Mantri Ex-Servicemen Welfare Fund (RMEWF) to give financial help to Ex-Servicemen and their widows who need it.
This scheme is for the ranks up to Havildar/equivalent in the Army, Navy and Air Force. The scheme is run by the Kendriya Sainik Board, which is the main body for the welfare of Ex-Servicemen and their families. The scheme is funded by the donations of the people and the companies on the Armed Forces Flag Day, which is on Dec 7 every year. RMEWF is a way of saying thank you and honouring the brave and loyal Defence personnel of India.
In this article, we will talk about three welfare schemes under RMEWF, which are Paraplegic Rehabilitation Centres (PRCs), Cheshire Homes, and War Memorial Hostels (WMHs). These schemes provide care and rehabilitation to the disabled and needy Ex-Servicemen and their families.
PARAPLEGIC REHABILITATION CENTRES (PRCS)
Paraplegic Rehabilitation Centres (PRCs) are special facilities for Defence personnel who have suffered spinal cord injury while serving the nation. These injuries cause partial or complete paralysis of the limbs and affect bladder and bowel control. PRCs provide medical care, physiotherapy, vocational training, and other services to help paraplegic and tetraplegic Ex-Servicemen and their families live a dignified and independent life. There are two PRCs in India, one in Kirkee, Pune and another in Mohali, Punjab.
They are supported by the RMEWF through the Kendriya Sainik Board. PRCs also provide mobility aids, such as wheelchairs, crutches, braces, etc., and adapt vehicles, such as scooters, cars, etc., for the inmates. PRCs are run by their respective Board of Trustees/Managing Committee, comprising of senior retired officers and eminent civilians. PRCs are a tribute to the courage and loyalty of our disabled comrades in arms.
The Paraplegic Rehabilitation Centres (PRCs) in Khadki and Mohali receive annual grants from the RMEWF to support their functioning and services. The PRC in Khadki gets a lump sum grant of Rs 1.2 Crore and the PRC in Mohali gets a lump sum grant of Rs 10 lakh. Additionally, both the PRCs get Rs 30,000 per inmate per annum to cover their expenses. These grants help the PRCs to provide medical care, physiotherapy, vocational training, and other facilities to the paraplegic and tetraplegic ex-servicemen and their families. (https://affdf.gov.in/about-affdf/)
CHESHIRE HOMES FUNDED BY RMEWF
The Cheshire Homes are charitable institutions that care for patients with Leprosy, Mental Handicaps, Chronic Spastic/Paraplegic Conditions, And TB Patients, who are mostly ESM or their dependents. The Cheshire Homes with support of RMEWF provide Medical Treatment, Nursing Care, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Vocational Training, and Social Rehabilitation to the inmates, who are mostly destitute and abandoned by their families. The Cheshire Homes also facilitate the integration of the inmates into the mainstream society, by providing them with Education, Employment, And Marriage Opportunities. The Cheshire Homes are run by the Leonard Cheshire Disability, a UK-based international charity, in collaboration with the local authorities and NGOs.
The RMEWF through KSB provides a grant of Rs 15,000/- per annum per inmate to the Cheshire Homes, to support their noble cause. This assistance is extended to the Cheshire Homes in Delhi, Lucknow, and Raphael Ryder International Cheshire Home, Dehradun. https://online.ksb.gov.in/heshire-homes-supported-ksb.htm
WAR MEMORIAL HOSTELS (WMHS)
The War Memorial Hostels (WMHs) are constructed to provide accommodation to the children of war widows or war-disabled service personnel, whether attributable or non-attributable cases, who are pursuing education in various schools and colleges. The WMHs provide lodging, boarding, tuition, and other facilities to the wards, who are mostly from rural and remote areas. The WMHs also provide guidance, counselling, and mentoring to the wards, to help them achieve their academic and career goals. The WMHs are run by the respective Regimental Centers, which are the administrative and training units of the various regiments of the Army.
The RMEWF through KSB provides a non-recurring grant for the construction and furnishing of the WMHs and a recurring grant for the maintenance and welfare of the wards. The recurring grant is provided at the rate of Rs 1350/- per month per ward, applicable to both attributable and non-attributable cases. The admission priority is given to the wards in the following order:
1. Wards of War Widows.
2. Wards of War Disabled.
3. Wards of Attributable casualties.
4. Wards of Non-Attributable casualties (died in harness).
https://online.ksb.gov.in/war-memorial-hostels.htm
CONCLUSION
The welfare schemes of RMEWF are aimed at providing rehabilitation and support to the ESM and their families, who have served the nation with honour and devotion. The schemes are funded by the AFFD Fund, which is a symbol of the solidarity and support of the citizens and the corporate sector for the armed forces.
The schemes are a tribute to the ESM and their families, who are the pride of the nation. The PRCs, the Cheshire Homes, and the WMHs are some examples of these welfare schemes, which cater to the specific needs of the ESM and their families, such as disability, disease, poverty, or education. These schemes help the ESM and their families to overcome their challenges and lead a dignified and productive life.
Medical Aid for Serious Diseases to Non-Pensioner Ex-Servicemen & Widows