CENTURION GANDHIAN

An article is carried in LOKSATTA of 17th March about efforts of a pensioner to get his pension transferred. Nothing is unusual about that. Thousands of transfer cases must be pending with Government. Probably Government waits for the pensioner to leave this world so the file cannot be transferred to haven or hail as address of places are not known.. The concerned pensioner is a freedom fighter. Nothing is unusual about that also. The last freedom fighter is yet to depart this world even if good sixty years have passed since we earned freedom.. Probably few claimants may be in the lap of their mothers while fighting for freedom.
This pensioner is exceptional case. He is 106 years old. He is traveling to Thane every month to collect his pension. He has no relatives in Thane. He has to spend his time on the bank of famous MASUNDA lake of Thane. For last over 25 years he is trying to get the pension transferred to Nizamabad where he resides now. Being true Gandhian he has adopted civil course of requests and reminders only. No agitation. The concerned Government officers have chick to tell this person of 106 years age that the case will take some time due to procedure and he has to wait. As if 25 years is not sufficient wait. And as if 106 year of age is young enough for wait!
His younger family members are overtaking him in chase to the death. The needs must be delivered to them at home as mark of respect to the age. The Government must make itself family member in such cases.What could define apathy in stronger shameless way ? Where is decency and dignity ? The Government must respect a centurion even if he has lived a low key life. Freedom Fight and Gandhian makes case for total humility.
We are told that Deputy Chief Minister is pained and assured to give instructions to concerned officers. Not good enough. He must take orders of transfer personally or through emissary to the home of Mr. C.H.B.Vithhaldas.

Arvind Khare

khare_am@yahoo.com

9820701210