VEER NARI COMMITTEE
Background
1. Every year many of our brave young men, in the course of their duty to the Nation, make the supreme sacrifice. They leave families whose personal loss and suffering is unfathomable. It is our collective responsibility, as the extended family of the Olive Greens, to rebuild their lives and mitigate their suffering.
2. It is our experience while interacting with Veer Naris, in different stations, we perceive that there is a gap between them and the administrative authorities. This may be due to a communication gap because of any of the following reasons :-
(a) The lady being apprehensive to approach the male dominated army.
(b) Due to many of them being illiterate or ill informed, they are not aware of their entitlements.
(c) Over exploitative relatives who take advantage of the situation.
3. There is, therefore, a need to be able to bridge this gap so that effective communication links can be established benefiting the Veer Naris and their families. This can be done by a committed group of ladies in the AWWA, both Central and Regional, whose focus is on the amelioration of the suffering and rehabilitation of our Veer Naris and their families.
4. The concept of such a committee is not new. Many formations have this in place, but the same is not formalized, or standardized and largely depends on the interest shown by individual President AWWA. There is therefore a need to formalize and standardize this organization throughout the Army to enable us to reach out to every affected family with equal intensity.
Aim
5. The aim of the Veer Nari Committee is to assist the establishment in ensuring that the Veer Naris and their families are rehabilitated as effective members of the society.
Scope
6. The scope of activities of the Veer Naris Committee is large and can affect the future of our Veer Naris/Widows and their families. However as welfare is the basic responsibility of the administration, the role of AWWA is restricted to act as facilitators to assist the officers in bridging the gap between the organization and the Veer Naris. To this end, the focus of the committee will be to spread awareness of their rights and entitlements, provide opportunities for acquiring requisite vocational skills and facilitate in finding suitable employment. The scope of the Veer Nari committee will encompass the following aspects:-
(a) Establish, update and maintain data bank of widows and their wards.
(b) Establish contact at various levels to create and spread awareness of their rights, entitlements and facilities.
(c) Facilitate in providing educational opportunities and vocational training for widows and their wards.
(d) Assist in providing job opportunities.
Organisation
7. Central AWWA. At Army HQs, a Central Veer Nari Committee will be formed which will maintain a data bank of Veer Naris, spread awareness of their rights and entitlements and coordinate programmes and schemes for vocational training and employment. The tasks of Central AWWA Veer Nari committee are as follows :-
(a) Nodal Agency. Be a nodal agency for all activities pertaining to the welfare of Veer Naris and their wards, on behalf of President Central AWWA.
(b) Database. Create, maintain and update database of Veer Naris in a suitable format that provides easy access to all Regional AWWA committees.
(c) Awareness. Establish contact and create awareness among the Veer Naris through letters, talks, pamphlets, rallies, electronic media, and other publicity campaigns.
(d) Guidelines to Regional AWWA Committee. Issue guidelines to all Command AWWA committees to be further filtered down to all grass root level AWWAs, to spread awareness and facilitate rehabilitation.
(e) Coordination with Other Agencies. Compile data from Kendriya Sainik Board, DG Resettlement, AG’s Branch, NGOs and other Govt agencies and coordinate programmes that concern the Veer Naris.
(f) Petitions / Complaints. Process petitions / complaints received from widows and wards pertaining to entitlements, educational scholarships, financial assistance, employment, etc and put up to President AWWA for further directions.
(g) Rehabilitations. Coordinate / facilitate opportunities and programmes with Kendriya Sainik Board, DG Resettlement, KVIC, CII and other organization for training and providing jobs for Veer Naris. Monitor implementation of such programmes through Central AWWA and other Veer Nari Committees at various levels.
8. Organisation : Central AWWA Veer Nari Committee
CENTRAL AWWA VEER NARI COMMITTEE
Chairperson ( Wife of a DG at Army HQ) (Mrs Renu Bhardwaj)
Honorary Joint Director AWWA Lt Col (Lt Col Sanjay Sharma )
Data Bank and Awareness Cell Education and Training Cell Employment Cell
Coordinator Coordinator Coordinator
Mrs Priti Chopra Mrs Priti Chopra Mrs Kanchan Mehra
9. Charter of Duties.
(a) Chairperson.
(i) Assist President AWWA in all activities pertaining to Veer Naris.
(ii) Formulate policy and guidelines for functioning of the Veer Nari Committee.
(iii) Coordinate and monitor functioning of Awareness and Rehabilitation Cells.
(iv) Establish contact with Veer Nari and send material and pamphlets for guidance of Veer Naris.
(v) Issue guidelines and monitor activities of Command and other Veer Nari Committees on behalf of President AWWA.
(vi) Process petitions, complaints received from Veer Naris.
(vii) Provide feed back to President AWWA on fortnightly basis on activities of the committee.
(b) Honorary Joint Director AWWA (Veer Nari Committee).
(i) Assist President AWWA and Chairperson in all activities pertaining to Veer Naris.
(ii) Preparation of condolence letters on behalf of President AWWA and issue of material / pamphlets to Veer Naris as directed by the Chairperson.
(iii) Provide staff support to Veer Nari Committee including maintaining upto date data bank, coordination of meetings, issue of guidelines, publication of pamphlets and material, processing of applications, compilation of reports, feedback, clerical and other administrative support.
(iv) Visit various commands from time to time to monitor and provide assistance to AWWA committees at various levels.
(v) Attend Veer Nari Rallies conducted within the country on behalf of President AWWA and provide feedback.
(c) Coordinator Data Bank and Awareness Cell.
(i) Create, maintain and update data bank on a monthly basis in a suitable format for easy access at various levels. The data will be obtained from Regimental centers and AGs Branch and updated by 10th day of each month. Format of the data is given at Appendix.
(ii) Establish and maintain Veer Nari web site giving details of various schemes, programmes, entitlements, vocational training and employment opportunities.
(iii) Assist in establishing contact with Veer Naris through Central and Command AWWA Committees to create awareness.
(iv) Compile and update various schemes and entitlements being provided by the Central and State Govt, Army HQ, Kendriya Sainik Board, DG Resettlement and NGOs etc for Veer Naris and their families.
(v) Prepare and issue suitable pamphlets for guidance of Veer Naris.
(vi) Monitor conduct of Veer Nari Rallies at various levels in the country.
(vii) Prepare and coordinate publicity campaigns through electronic media and other means to spread awareness amongst Veer Naris.
(viii) Monitor various awareness campaigns at all levels and provide regular feedback to President AWWA/Chairperson.
(d) Coordinator Education and Training Cell.
(i) Coordinate activities of Army HQ, Kendriya Sainik Board, DG Resettlement, other Govt organization / NGOs, KVIC, CII etc pertaining to education, vocational training and employment opportunities and provide the same to regional AWWA Committee.
(ii) Maintain a data bank on the Veer Naris web site of various training and employment opportunities.
(iii) Monitor educational and training schemes by Central AWWA for prepares the veer nari for suitable job.
(iv) Monitor various education and vocational training activities being conducted in various Commands for Veer Naris.
(e) Coordinator Employment cell
(i) To collect information of employment opportunities form various organizations, collect it and forward it to the chairperson veer nari committee.
(ii) To advice the Chairperson of Veer Nari Committee about various aspects of Employment Schemes available in the environment.
(iii) To liaise with Various Placement Nodes/agencies and get the War widows/their wards registered with them and constantly monitor the progress of cases, and to provide the chairperson of veer nari committee with requisite forms and applications for further dissemination to various Awwa down the channel.
(iv) To constantly brief the chairperson of veer nari committee about the impending cases concerning Employment cell.
(v) To guide the Veer Naris in overcoming problems faced by them in getting employment.
(vi) To compile and collect publications and materials received by various voluntary organization/ institutions coming forward to help in employment of war widows and put up the same to chairperson veer nari committee.
(vii) Advice the chairperson regarding the employment procedure at various agencies, so that it can be disseminated down to all channels of AWWA.
(viii) The Employment Cell seeks avenues of employment from business houses and industries in their area of jurisdiction in consent with the chairperson veer nari committee.
10. Commands Veer Nari Committees. At each Command, a similar organization will be established which will be responsible for all activities related to Veer Naris and their families within the Command, The focus of Command level committees will be to establish intimate contact with the Veer Naris and ensure receipt of their entitlements and implementation of various schemes and programmes at functional level. The suggested tasks of Command Veer Nari Committee are as follows :-
(a) Be a Nodal Agency for all activities pertaining to the welfare of Veer Naris and their wards within the Command.
(b) Create, maintain and update data base of Veer Naris on the basis of their district / state and assign responsibilities for their welfare to Regional AWWA Committees.
(c) Prepare suitable material and pamphlets in regional language / vernaculars for issue to the Veer Naris on their rights, entitlements, schemes etc.
(d) Establish close contact and create awareness among Veer Naris through letters, talks, issue of pamphlets, conduct of rallies and publicity campaigns. Veer Nari Rallies will be held at formation level at least twice in a year.
(e) Issue guidelines to all regional / formation AWWA committees in spreading awareness especially with reference to financial management, ECHS, educational scholarship, vocational training etc and facilitate rehabilitation.
(f) Assist and monitor receipt of their rightful entitlements including from state govt etc and other agencies.
(g) Coordinate with Rajya / Zila Sainik Boards, State Govts and other NGOs etc for implementation of various schemes (scholarships, housing etc) and programmes for rehabilitation of Veer Naris.
(h) Establish Nodal Centres within the Command in various disciplines for vocational training of Veer Naris and provide them with recognized certification. These schemes may be dovetailed with vocational training centres in each station, as appropriate.
(j) Provide educational scholarship to the wards of Veer Naris and assist in admission to various schools including Sainik / Military Schools, pre-enrolment and pre-commissioning training.
11. Lower Formations. All Corps, Divs / Areas, Bdes / Sub Areas will form similar Committees. When there is more than one formation in station, then the higher HQ will nominate the formation, which will be in charge of this aspect of welfare. Command AWWA’s may lay down the responsibilities / duties of station / formation Veer Nari Committees on above lines.
Conclusion.
12. Welfare of Veer Naris is an important and onerous facet of AWWA activities. It is our moral responsibility to ensure that the Veer Naris are cared for and their wards nurtured. It is our duty to make concerted efforts at all levels to assist them in their rehabilitation.
SOP
DATA BANK AND AWARENESS CELL
VEER NARI COMMITTEE
General
1. It has been observed that the families of servicemen are very often unaware of their rights/entitlements. where there is awareness, one may encounter a hesitation/reluctance to approach the organization for assistance.
2. It will be the endeavor of the Awareness Cell to facilitate wide spread awareness of not only rights/entitlements, but also to apprise all our families of the facilities/opportunities provided by the organization.
3. Hence, It would be logical to target all families, rather than specific groups like ‘the bereaved families’. We hope to generate confidence among the wives of servicemen that there is a support system that stands firmly and solidly behind them. In times of need they may seek guidance, counseling information etc.
4. In order to bring about uniformity/constancy in this project certain guide-lines need to be established, based on which Command AWWAs can issue directions that can filter down to grass root AWWAs. This will ensure that all of us work towards a common goal namely ‘awareness leading to empowerment’.
Aim
5. The objective of the Cell is to spread awareness of their Rights, Entitlements and Opportunities for Rehabilitation amongst Veer Naris and their families.
Organization
6. The Awareness Cell will be headed by the wife of an ADG/DDG. The organization will be as under.
Data Bank & Awareness Cell
Co-ordinator – Mrs Priti Chopra
7. Director Data Bank and Awareness Cell Duties of Director are as under :-
(a) Create, maintain and update data bank on a monthly basis in a suitable format for easy access at various levels. The data will be obtained from Regimental Centers/ AGs Branch and updated by 10th day of each month. Format of the data is given at Appendix.
(b) Establish and maintain Veer Nari web site giving details of various schemes, programmes, entitlements, vocational training and employment opportunities.
(c) Assist in establishing contact with Veer Nari’s through Central and Command AWWA Committees to create awareness.
(d) Compile and update various schemes and entitlements being provided by the Central and State Govt, Army HQ, Kendriya Sainik Board, DG Resettlement and NGOs etc for Veer Naris and their families.
(e) Prepare and issue suitable pamphlets for guidance of Veer Naris.
(f) Monitor conduct of Veer Nari Rallies at various levels in the country.
(g) Prepare and coordinate publicity campaigns through electronic media and other means to spread awareness amongst Veer Naris.
(h) Monitor various awareness campaigns at all levels and provide regular feedback to President AWWA/Chairperson.
Functioning
8. Data Bank Section. A Computer based Data Bank will be created and maintained to record all relevant details of Veer Naris and their Children. The format for the Data Card is at Appendix A. The data will be received from AG’s Branch and Regimental Centers. The data will be updated by 10th of each month. Assistant director Data Bank section will be responsible for ensuring regular updating of data and making the same available to all commands in appropriate form.
9. Awareness Section. Assistant Director Awareness Section will be responsible for establishment of contact with Veer Naris, compiling and updating of various schemes regarding rights, entitlements and opportunities for Veer Naris and their families. The initial contact with Veer Naris will be done through a DO letter from President AWWA, followed by a letter from chairperson Veer Nari Committee which will include a Pamphlet/CD on Entitlements and other Schemes for Veer Naris. The Awareness section will also be responsible for the following :-
(a) Establish contact with Veer Naris through Central and Command AWWA committees to create awareness.
(b) Compile and update details of schemes and entitlements being provided by the AG’s Branch/Army HQ, Central and State Govts. Kendriya Sainik Board, DGR and NGOs etc on a quarterly basis. Based on the data, suitable Pamphlets /CDs will be prepared in Hindi and English for issue to Veer Naris.
(c) The above data giving details of various schemes, programme's, entitlements, vocational training and employment opportunities will also be put on the AWWA Web Site.
(d) The committee will prepare and co-ordinate publicity campaigns through electronic media and other means to spread awareness. These will be coordinated with command AWWA Committees also, so that campaigns in regional languages could be included.
(e) Monitor awareness campaigns and conduct of Veer Nari Rallies at all levels and provide regular feedback to President AWWA/Chairperson.
Meetings
10. The Data and Awareness Cell will meet at least once a week on a suitable time and day earmarked by the co-coordinator to coordinate the activities of the cell. In addition, members of the cell will attend fortnightly meetings of Chairperson AWWA to provide feedback on activities of respective sections.
SOP
EDUCATION AND TRAINING CELL
VEER NARI COMMITTEE
General
1. It has been observed that the families of servicemen have little exposure towards quality education and the emerging trends in vocational training which is required to find a suitable job for themselves at the time of need and specially when they are distressed with young children to look after.
2. Although there has been a constant endeavor by the ladies at various levels/stations of AWWA to try and educate families of servicemen, but a lot depends on the posting of servicemen, and the domestic problem confronted by them and there family in getting their children and spouse educated. This anomaly gets compounded if the wife of the servicemen is not respected in her in-laws and further reaches its peak when her spouse dedicates himself for a noble cause.
3. It will be the endeavor of the Education and Training Cell of the Veer Naari Committee to facilitate in providing educational opportunities for the young children of the bereaved family of the martyr, and vocational training to the widow. so that she is able to pick up a job in the environment, and look after her family all by herself.
4. In order to bring about dynamic results in this noble project, certain guidelines needs to be established based on which directions can filter down to grass root level. This will ensure that all of us in the education and training cell work towards a Noble goal in providing the required professional edge in educating the wards and vocational training of the widows, to suite their requirements of job.
Aim
5. The aim of the Education and Training Cell is to prepare the widows and her wards to acquire vocational skills and requisite education through the best of the institutions recognized by all the environment, so as to enable them to be absorbed like hot cakes in the race for job. There by leading to self dependency and empowerment.
Organization
6. The Education and Training Cell will be headed by a coordinator. The organization will be as under.
Education and Training Cell
Co-ordinator – Mrs Priti Chopra
7. Duties of Education and Training Cell are as under :-
(a) Establish contact and create atmosphere among the Veer Naris to pick up requisite educational or vocational training through booklets & prospectus.
(b) Publish articles and periodicals and conduct publicity campaigns after consulting the president /chairmen AWWA, and updating all the activities being undertaken on various programmers.
(c) Provide meaningful vocational training in available fields to suite Veer Naris, so that they can find suitable and estimable employment.
(d) To consistently monitor existing courses and vocational training institutes available in the environment for empanelment.
(e) To carry out survey of the training standards, infrastructure and administrative backup of all empanelled institutes and accommodate maximum Veer Naris into the best institutes.
(f) Publish training brochure periodically figuring out all relevant details of courses offered so as to allow the veer naris to plan their course of action.
(g) Co- ordinate training programmes that concern the Veer Naris in consultation with government bodies, DG Resettlement, AGs branch, MGO’s branch and kendriya sainik board for wider opportunity.
(h) Process petitions /complains received from widows and wards pertaining to education, scholarships and entitlements on financial assistances and put up to chairperson veer nari committee.
Functioning
8. The functioning of Education and Training Cell will comprise of two sections as under :-
(a) The Coordinator will collect all necessary details and put up all details pertaining to the cell to the chairperson veer nari committee by 10th of every month.
(b) The data’s will further be published in a appropriate form and would be made available to all commands after consulting the chairperson of veer nari committee. A soft copy of the same will be posted on the AWWA Web site for dissemination to all the AWWAs down the channel.
(c) On obtaining the nominal roll from the commands, the course detailments are being made by the coordinator in the cell and the same is being pursued with the empanelled institutes.
(d) Intimations regarding the opening address, date of commencement of the educational/vocational programmes, venues details, and all necessary joining instructions together with the administrative instructions are to be dispatched to the respective commands well in time with intimation to the concerned widow.
(e) On successful completion of the course/vocational training the names are forwarded to the employment cell for suitable employment opportunity.
Meetings
9. The Education and Training Cell will meet at least once a week nominated by the Coordinator to co-ordinate the activates of the cell. In addition coordinator of the cell will attend meetings of chairperson Veer Nari Committee as and when convened and must be able to provide realistic feed back on activates of the cell.
SOP
EMPLOYMENT CELL : VEER NARI COMMITTEE
General
1. It is a moment of grief as well as pride for family members and widows of war martyrs. Their heads are held high but their eyes are moist with tears ready to explode anytime. Although they are proud that their loved ones have sacrificed their lives for the nation, but many a times they are not happy with the way they are treated afterwards.
2. Widowhood is still a stigma in India as a result of which the widows have to face innumerable hardships. With not many employment opportunities and low level of education, the widows are unable to meet the basic needs of the family.
3. The problem gets compounded when young widows having small children are being turned out of there house by there in-laws and other relatives around, who only wanted to fleece the widow of all the money. Few widows decide to live with there parents and have vowed never to re-marry and are forced to live with the memories of their husbands.
4. It will be the challenging goal of the Employment Cell to establish a trust which empowers and supports widows by providing not only employment but also a ray of hope for them and their children. Thereby showing them a path to success and prosperity.
5. It will be the endeavor of the Employment Cell to integrate the support of various organizations and individuals working with the Veer Nari Committee to facilitate in providing the much required employment to the widow/wards.
6. In order to bring about dynamic results in this Noble project, certain guidelines needs to be established based on which directions can filter down to grass root level. This will ensure that all of us in the Employment cell work towards a Noble goal in providing the required employment to the widows/wards.
Aim
7. The aim of the Employment Cell is to provide the widows and her wards with a suitable and estimable employment. There by leading to self dependency and empowerment.
Organization
8. The Employment Cell will be headed by a coordinator. The organization will be as under.
Employment Cell
Co-ordinator – Mrs Kanchan Mehra
9. Duties of Employment Cell are as under:-
(a) To collect information of employment opportunities from various organizations both government/ private and collate it to further forward it to the chairperson veer nari committee.
(b) To advice the president Veer Nari Committee about various aspects of Employment Schemes available in the environment.
(c) To liaise with Various Placement Nodes/agencies and get the War widows/ there wards registered with them and constantly monitor their cases. provide the veer naris with requisite forms and applications.
(d) To constantly brief the chairperson about the impending cases concerning Employment cell.
(e) To guide the Veer Naris in overcoming problems faced by them in getting a particular employment.
(f) To distribute publications and materials received by various voluntary organizations/institutions coming forward to help employment the war widows.
(g) Advice the chairperson regarding the employment procedure at various agencies, so that it can be disseminated down to all channels of AWWA .
(h) The Employment Cell seeks avenues of employment from business houses and industries in their area of jurisdiction.
Meetings
10. The Employment Cell will meet once in a week on the day and place fixed by the coordinator to finalize all activities and scrutinize the employment avenues available for the Veer Naris. In addition to this, the Members of the Employment cell will meet the Chair person to brief about the progress of the cell whenever called for.