71-year-old to paddle 527 km to Delhi for 'undiluted OROP'

For a 71-year- old Army veteran, its not easy by any standard to cover over 527 km in the next few weeks.

However, Sepoy Joginder Singh Waraich of 2 Sikh Regiment is on a mission to coax the government to put to effect OROP for military ex-servicemen “without any dilution”.

Joginder Waraich has chosen November 5, his birthday when he turns 71 to start his arduous journey on a cycle from Punjab’s border town Gurdaspur all the way to Jantar Mantar in New Delhi.

His gesture is drawing applause from several ex-servicemen who are commending the spirit of the soldier towards the cause of OROP.

Talking to Deccan Herald this evening, Col CJS Kher (retd), general secretary of the Sanjha Morcha said: “The soldier will take the message of OROP across half of Punjab and Haryana right up to the national capital”.

His journey on the cycle will cover over 40 kms a day depending upon his state of health, stamina and fatigue level, Col Khera said. Many others have expressed the desire to join Joginder Waraich in his journey, but the soldier wants to do it alone.

Col Khera said several would be waiting for the soldier at Jantar Mantar when he accomplishes his objective. Punjab is one state where the ex-servicemen have up the ante seeking an undiluted OROP.

The vast ex-servicemen votes count a lot, given that Punjab approaches Assembly elections are due in a little over a year from now. Two weeks ago, a massive ex-servicemen rally was held in Jalandhar in Punjab where veterans demanded the undiluted implementation of OROP.

 They threatened to intensify their agitation. At Jalandhar, Major General Satbir Singh (retd) had said that the government did not implement the demands recommended by the Koshiyari committee. The OROP, he said, has been diluted by the government.

Maj Gen Satbir Singh is the chairperson of the United Ex-Servicemen Front of India. Similar protest rallies are being planned in Bangalore, Chennai and other places. Col Raminder Singh Sandhu (retd), who attended the rally, told Deccan Herald that the government ought to be serious in implementing the OROP in letter and spirit.