INTRODUCTION TO SAINIK REST HOUSES
India’s Ex-Servicemen, our nation’s heroes, often face challenges post-service, such as job hunting, accessing medical care, resolving legal issues, and securing pensions. Their duties often require them to travel for various reasons, such as utilizing canteen facilities, acquiring new skills, seeking medical treatment, or simply exploring new places. During these travels, they need affordable and comfortable short-term accommodations. To cater to this need, the Indian government has established numerous Sainik Rest Houses across the country.
These rest houses serve as a home away from home for ex-servicemen and their families, offering them a safe, comfortable, and affordable place to stay while they avail of the various facilities and services. These rest houses symbolize the nation’s gratitude for their invaluable service.
BACKGROUND
Sainik Rest Houses are transit facilities for ESM and their families, who need accommodation at different places. The Sainik Rest Houses were started in 1947, when the Defence Minister, Sardar Baldev Singh, built Sainik Rest Houses for ESM and their families who came from Pakistan. The state governments/UTs give free land and maintain the SRHs, which are run by the Rajya/Zila Sainik Boards. The central government pays half of the construction cost. There is also one Central Sainik Rest House (CSRH) in Delhi, which is looked after by the KSB. The CSRH gives cheap and good stay for ESM and their families who come to Delhi.
FACILITIES AND SERVICES IN SAINIK REST HOUSES
The Sainik Rest Houses give many facilities and services to the ESM and their families, like:
- Rooms: single, double, family, dormitory, etc.
- Food: clean and healthy food at a good price in contract canteens
- Canteen: Daily items like groceries, toiletries, stationery, etc. at a low price
- Recreation: TV, games, newspapers, magazines, etc. for fun and relaxation
- Library: books and journals on Defence, history, culture, etc.
- Internet: Wi-Fi and internet facilities is provided in several SRH
- Other services: laundry, medical, transport, etc. as needed and available
Reservation For Ex-Servicemen in India: How to avail the amazing Benefits, Opportunities, and Quotas
BOOKING PROCEDURE
The Sainik Rest Houses have a simple and easy booking procedure. The guests can book the rooms before or when they come, by phone, email, or online. The rooms are cheap and good, ranging from Rs 50 to Rs 500 per day, with lodging, boarding, and other facilities. The ESM and their families get priority, then the serving Defence personnel and their families. It is recommended that guests cancel their bookings at least 24 hours in advance to prevent any inconvenience to others.
For the CSRH in Delhi, the booking procedure is slightly different. Serving officers, JCOs, and ORs can reserve rooms either 15 days in advance or a day before their arrival by calling 011-25777049 between 10:30 AM and 5:30 PM on working days. The room charges are Rs 100 per day for ex-servicemen and their families, and Rs 200 per day for serving Defence personnel, their families, and civilians.
PRESENT STATUS
As of now there are total 338 Sainik Rest Houses in different places, like state capitals, district headquarters, and UTs. The SRHs are mostly near railway stations, bus stands, airports, etc., for easy travel of the guests. The SRHs have good facilities and services, like rooms, food, canteen, recreation, library, internet, etc. The KSB and the Rajya/Zila Sainik Boards check and improve the SRHs regularly. The CSRH in Delhi is also good and has 50 rooms, a conference hall, a dining hall, a canteen, a recreation room, a library, and an internet facility. The MoD and the KSB check and improve the CSRH regularly.
Click here to download the list of Sainik Rest Houses
CONCLUSION
The Sainik Rest Houses are a second home for the ESM and their families, who need good and cheap places to stay for a short time in different places in the country. The Sainik Rest Houses give many facilities and services to the guests, like rooms, food, canteen, recreation, library, internet, etc. The Sainik Rest Houses also help the guests with their problems, like jobs, health, law, pension, etc. The Sainik Rest Houses are paid by the AFFD Fund, which shows the love and support of the people and the companies for the armed forces. The SRHs are a thank you to the ESM and their families, who have helped the nation.
CENTRAL SAINIK REST HOUSE (CSRH) NEW DELHI: A HOME AWAY FROM HOME
