Col TN Raman( Retd) since his retirement has been working for bringing unity among thousands of Ex- Servicemen Associations with out losing their identity. TSEWA supported his vision and result is formation of National Confederation of Ex- Servicemen Associations (NCESMO) which succeeded in having first meeting with Hon’ble Raksha Mantri on 27 Nov 2018.

Please read what he says about the evolution of NCESMO in a mail addressed to veterans.

Friends,

There is a lot of correspondence on the issue of the formation of the National Confederation of ESM Organisations (NCESMO). This umbrella organisation of the ESM Associations came into being, after relentless efforts of a few Veterans, including me, for the past 8 years.

The Inaugural meeting of the National Confederation of ESM Organisations was held at Secunderabad as scheduled on 19 August 18. Representatives of 11 ESM Organisations took part and had also signed the Resolution to form the Interim Confederation, which will pave way for the Confederation in the next two years.

The intention is not to forge any mergers, but to create an apex body for the purpose of conveying unified voice of the ESM to the MOD at the Center and to the State Govts at the State level. At the meeting itself it has been made abundantly clear that the Confederation will not exercise supremacy over any individual ESM organisation nor will there be any identity loss of the member Associations. The Confederation is formed by the ESM organisations by themselves, for themselves. It will not be one more ESM organisation, since it will not have any individual ESM as members, but only the ESM Organisations will become members, on equal footing, irrespective of the size and financial status of individual organisations.

It was also agreed that all ESM Organisations are welcome to join the Confederation. To facilitate the smooth launching of the Confederation, IESL which is a recognised ESM Organisation, will be holding the appointment of the President for the next two years with TSEWA the post of Vice President. The finance and resources to run the secretariat will be borne by the two organisations. This will obliterate the usual criticism of financial motive.

In the two years lead period, the Interim Confederation will strive to build up the members and evolve its own MOU and Bye Laws. At the end of two years, in August 2020, a General Body Meeting will be convened to ratify all the points and also to elect a new team of Office bearers.

There are some insinuations and snide remarks based on some of the mails floated by some Veterans. Let me clarify that this initiative was from an ordinary Veteran like me and there is no Govt or any political interference in my initiative. I am beyond all the acts for personal glorification and as on date, I am not an office bearer of any ESM Organisation. At the Inaugural meeting itself I have made it clear that since the membership of the Confederation is restricted only to the ESM Organisations, I can never be considered for any appointment in the Confederation. Even a suggestion from Cmde Sudheer Parakala that I should continue as an ombudsman was politely declined by me, since there are 11 members as on date and the decisions will hence forth be a collective one. There will be no requirement of an extra judicial authority.

There is also the question about the exclusion of IESM. I had earlier clarified that on 04 August itself, Vice Chairman of IESM had sent me a mail in which he had wished me all the best for my initiative, but expressed his inability to attend the meeting. A gist of my speech at the Inaugural meeting is given below:-

“Some of you have expressed reservations about IESM. Let me put forth to you that it was IESM which in 2008 itself gave voice to the Veterans. It was due to IESM the OROP was granted, even if some of us may call it as truncated form. The contribution of IESM during the period 2008 to 2014 had been tremendous and shall not be forgotten. We may have differences of opinion with some ESM leaders. But, it should not permeate to the extent of debarring an organisation. I am also one of the founder members of IESM. Once the Confederation is formed let the members take the decision”.

 After the Confederation meeting with the RM on 27 Nov 18, mail received from Maj Gen Satbir Singh is given below:- (Extracts only)

(Quote)

3. It is a matter of great pleasure that Honorable Defence Minister has given a patient hearing to the delegation of ESM organisations. IESM wishes them success and hope that issues raised by delegation will see the day light soon. 

4. At the end veterans want resolution of the problems and grievances irrespective to the fact that whether the resolution comes through IESM or any other ESM organisation. (Unquote).

 I will be failing in my duty, if I do not acknowledge the matured response of Maj Gen Satbir Singh, as indicative from his mail above. I am being one of the founding members of IESM, cannot be expected to work against the welfare of the ESM. As they say, time is a great healer. I am optimistic that IESM will render its unqualified support to the Confederation, in the years to come.

 The current office bearers of the NCESMO have their tasks cut out, and by August 2020 they have to produce the result. I am glad to notice that they are on their job with all seriousness. In three months, after the inauguration in August, they could meet the RM and project their points. After three months there will be a second meeting with the RM, in which there will be more members, especially from the JCOs and NCOs headed ESM Organisations. 

 I earnestly request all the Veterans to give the Confederation a chance to succeed.

 Jai Hind!!

Col (Retd) TN Raman
E5/230, AWHO Parameswaran Vihar,
67, Arcot Road, Saligramam,
Chennai 600093
Mob: 0- 9840033326