AFVOA Newletters of Year 2003

Page 154 of 170 Rao and his staff from Station HQ. 27. Referring to the misgivings on the ECHS by a senior and respected member, the Patron mentioned that the scheme was a well thought out scheme, as it had taken a number of years to be accepted by the Government. Hence, in the formulation of its rules and procedures/safeguards, sufficient care had been taken to AVOID the pitfalls and inadequacies of the CGHS and the Railwaymen’s Health Schemes, both of which had been around for very many years. The ECHS, as it stands at present, was well conceived, and was the result of untiring effort of the better part of a century. The Patron cautioned all of us against losing sight of the fact that there had to be a line drawn somewhere in the effort to balance the ECHS infrastructure with the needs of the target population. With ex-Servicemen spread out all over the country, it would simply not be possible to locate a polyclinic to suit every individual. It was also to be remembered that those of us who had the privilege of being settled in larger cities had a definite edge over pensioners from the Services residing in relatively remote locations. Notwithstanding this, it was certain that the scheme would improve as experience was gained in its implementation and working in the course of time. Never before had there been such a scheme, which envisages treatment of all diseases/ailments for life. As the scheme has been conceived for the benefit of Ex- Servicemen, it is incumbent on all of us to ensure that the scheme not only takes off but also works better than the existing schemes. As elderly, senior and mature individuals, we need to play our part in a way that the scheme succeeds. New Members Do not protect yourself with a fence, but rather by your friends. ~ Czech Proverb 28. The “new” veterans were asked to come up and introduce themselves. They were: a) Gp Capt SD Bapu, Flying (Navigator), who though a retiree since 1997, and resident of Kotturpuram, has joined us only now. b) Air Cmde SK Jayarajan, AVSM, VSM, (Logistics) who resides in Kilpauk. Mrs Jayarajan, who is a Deputy Secretary in the TN Government serving in the Transport Department, accompanied him. c) Lt Col Ravi Rajan of the Regiment of Artillery, whose Octogenarian father Maj ND Rajan was among those honoured by the AFVOA later that evening. Rajan junior is serving with Blue Dart Aviation at Chennai and resides with his parents, wife and children in Kasturba Nagar. For Your Information Job opportunities etc., 29. Announcements were made of jobs waiting for the right candidate from among our fraternity. Lt Col M Narayanan (tele: 2492 8546) mentioned vacancies for middle level engineers to be employed by a company engaged in infrastructure projects (road construction etc). The requirement is initially for Krishnagiri District, with a possibility of later re location to Chennai. 30. Lt Col CR Sundar (tele: 2229 0186) mentioned that the well known Coimbatore based