29 January,2011 07:14 AM IST | | Vinod Kumar Menon
On Republic Day, MiD DAY ran a front page report on the plight of World War II veterans who had fought as part of the British Army denied the same benefits as former Indian Army personnel, life in their twilight years is a bitter struggle for survival and it so moved Marathi actor Prashant Damle that he has decided to take up their cause.
Damle has agreed to become the brand ambassador for the Sainik Welfare Department. Also, his most popular play, Gela Madhav Kunikade, will raise funds for these struggling veterans.
Prashant Damle announced that all proceeds from his play would go towards the charity for veterans
Damle, who is currently touring the state, said from Sangamner in Ahmednagar district, "It was very painful to read about the plight of World War II veterans and widows in MiD DAY. They are deprived of all the facilities and comforts which should otherwise have come their way," said the actor.
He added, "I will do everything possible to ensure a decent living for these unsung heroes and their families."
Col Suhas Jatkar (Retd), director at the State Department of Sainik Welfare, HQ, confirmed the development.
"The actor (Damle) has agreed to be the brand ambassador and has assured assistance in raising the Flag Day fund, which is used to provide financial assistance to the war veterans, widows and dependants," he said.
Damle said he would be visiting schools and colleges all over the state for performances of the play and appealing to the public to make generous donations for the welfare of the veterans.
"A major portion of the money collected through ticket sales and other promotional activities from the play will be given to the Sainik Welfare Department," he said.
Jatkar said there were 2.10 lakh retired defence personnel from the three forces and their widows registered with his department.
He said the department supports 10 lakh people, a figure that includes the families of the former defence personnel.
The government allows the department to collect donations from the public on Flag Day, which is observed on December 7.
Sixty per cent of the fund is used as benevolent fund, wherein various scholarships are sponsored for members' children and money made available for the marriage of daughters and the cremation or burial of martyrs, among other things.
Forty per cent of the fund is used for infrastructure projects like construction of hostels and community halls.
Jatkar added that since the World War II fund was a state subject, every state took decisions and made necessary provisions to provide these veterans financial aid; the state pays these veterans the least among all others in the country.
Jatkar said this year they had got the tax exemption certificate from the Income Tax department.
