M S Nazki
It was almost done and we were to part ways…..I had helped her (A Kashmiri girl then and now a lady) to join Lucknow University (Shehnaaz was her name)! She did what exactly she was tasked to do! I love wearing round small earrings (though my wife is strictly against the same)! She presented to me a pair of Gold………….I never clung them into my ears but fond remembrances remain forever……But her words were bigger and I’m fond of words and this is what she said: Half of me is filled with bursting words and half of me is painfully shy. I crave solitude yet also crave people. I want to pour life and love into everything yet also nurture my selfcare and go gently. I want to live within the rush of primal, intuitive decisions, yet also wish to sit and contemplate. This is the messiness of life that we all carry multitudes, so must sit with the shifts. We are complicated creatures, and ultimately, the balance comes from this understanding. Be water. Flowing, flexible and soft. Subtly powerful and open. Wild and serene. Able to accept all changes, yet still led by the pull of steady tides. It is enough………….!
I thought that this was a perfect prelude to the story at hand!
But I have learnt many things in life and thus I write: Rushing into action, you fail . Trying to grasp things, you lose them. Forcing a project to completion, you ruin what was almost ripe. Therefore the Master takes action by letting things take their course. He remains as calm at the end as at the beginning. He has nothing, thus has nothing to lose. What he desires is nondesire; what he learns is to unlearn. He simply reminds people of who they have always been. Thus he can care for all things…………!
Now the story:
We Care Lt Gen Pushpendra Singh, AVSM, SM**, Army Commander Western Command, visited Jammu and complimented the teams at ECHS Polyclinic and Asha School, Jammu Cantt, for the enhanced infrastructure and upgraded facilities, reflecting the dedication, professionalism and patientcentric approach of the staff. He underscored the Indian Army’s continued commitment towards delivering quality healthcare to veterans and fostering inclusive support for special children.
The Indian Army’s Western Command, headquartered in Chandimandir, covers specific sectors of the Jammu region (including Jammu, Samba, and Kathua districts) along the international border with Pakistan. Key units assigned to the Western Command that operate in or cover these areas include elements from the IX Corps (based in Yol) and other supporting formations under the command’s operational control.
Key details regarding the Western Command’s presence in Jammu include:
Operational Area: While the Northern Command handles the majority of J&K, the Western Command is responsible for the plains and international border areas, particularly in Jammu, Samba, and Kathua.
IX Corps (Rising Star Corps): Headquartered at Yol, Himachal Pradesh, this corps covers parts of Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab.
Supporting Units: The command includes multiple infantry divisions, artillery divisions, and armored/mechanized brigades involved in security, frequently rotating through the Jammu sector.
Role: The Command focuses on guarding the border and maintaining operational readiness for offensive operations in the Jammu/Punjab sector.
Note: The Jammu and Kashmir region is predominantly under the operational command of the Northern Command headquartered in Udhampur, but the Western Command holds responsibility for the Jammu plains and international border districts.
Before I come to the Rising Corps here is a couplet:
I think… if it is true that there are as many minds as there are heads, then there are as many kinds of love as there are hearts.
The Rising Star Corps (IX Corps):
The Rising Star Corps (IX Corps) is a, “Strong and Capable” frontline operational command of the Indian Army, formed on September 1, 2005, and based in Yol, Himachal Pradesh. It is responsible for security in key sectors of Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, and Himachal Pradesh, focusing on defense and operational preparedness.
Key Aspects of the Rising Star Corps:
- Role & Function: It functions as a holding corps, tasked with guarding borders and maintaining vigil in the Jammu region.
- Raising & Structure: Raised to strengthen the security structure of the Northern Command, it is now part of the Chandimandirbased Western Command.
- Operational Area: The corps operates within the Jammu, Samba, and Kathua sectors of Jammu & Kashmir and Punjab.
- Composition: It includes the 26th Infantry Division (Jammu), 29th Infantry Division (Pathankot), and specialized independent armored brigades.
- Activities: The corps conducts “Know Your Army” events to engage youth, supports local military welfare, and ensures high operational readiness.
Commonly known as the Indian Army’s youngest corps, the Rising Star Corps is instrumental in securing some of the nation’s most sensitive border areas.
7 Effective Ways to Make Others Feel Important. Use their name. Express sincere gratitude. Do more listening than talking. Talk more about them than about you. Be authentically interested. Be sincere in your praise.. Show you care!…………………!
The ECHS Polyclinic in Jammu Cantt (often referred to as an ECHS clinic or Polyclinic under Station Headquarters Jammu) is a specialized healthcare center providing cashless, quality outpatient care, consultations, and medications to Ex-Servicemen (ESM) pensioners and their eligible dependents, featuring upgraded facilities for veterans in the region.
Key Aspects of ECHS Polyclinic in Jammu Cantt:
- Purpose: It operates under the Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) to provide comprehensive medical care similar to CGHS for Central Government employees.
- Services: Offers primary care, outpatient services, free medicines, and specialist consultations.
- Referrals: It serves as the initial point of contact for treatment and provides referrals to empanelled private hospitals or Military Hospitals for inpatient (IPD) or specialized care.
- Location: Located in Satwari, Jammu, making it accessible to regional veterans.
- Eligibility: Must be an Armed Forces retiree drawing a pension.
Usage Examples for ECHS Polyclinic in Jammu Cantt:
- Chronic Disease Management: Regular checkups for ongoing conditions like diabetes or hypertension, with the opportunity to receive medications for up to three months.
- Specialist Consultations: Accessing care from specialists for specialized medical issues.
- Emergency & Specialized Treatment Referrals: Obtaining authorized referrals for advanced, cashless treatments at local empanelled hospitals (e.g., for cardiology or diagnostics).
- Routine Medical Consultations: Seeking consultations for general
What is ECHS:
ECHS stands for Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme, a comprehensive medical care program launched in 2003 by the Indian Ministry of Defence. It provides cashless, allopathic, and AYUSH healthcare to ex-servicemen pensioners and their dependents through polyclinics and empanelled private hospitals, similar to the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS).
- Benefits: Features include no age restriction, no monetary ceiling on treatment, and reimbursement for emergency care at non empaneled facilities.
The scheme is structured to provide services closer to home for veterans, reducing the load on military hospitals.
Asha Schools:
Asha School in Jammu Cantt is a specialized institution run by the Indian Army under the Army Wives Welfare Association (AWWA), focusing on the education, development, and rehabilitation of children with special-needs. Located in Jammu Cantonment, it offers tailored educational programs and vocational training for children of serving and retired defense personnel, with options for civilian children.
Key Aspects of Asha School Jammu Cantt:
- Purpose: Provides special education and therapy to children with disabilities to promote skill development and economic independence.
- Facilities: The school features specialized infrastructure, including a dedicated multipurpose hall equipped with the latest teaching aids and therapy equipment.
- Focus on Development: The curriculum often includes vocational skills, speech therapy, and creative arts to empower students.
- Support: It serves as a key welfare initiative under the Army’s initiatives in the Western Command region.
- Admissions: Admissions are typically open to children of army personnel and occasionally civilians, with a focus on care and nurturing.
The school is part of a larger network of 37 Asha Schools across India aimed at offering comprehensive care for special children.
The Indian Army, through the Army Wives Welfare Association (AWWA), runs 32 Asha schools across India dedicated to educating and training speciallyabled children of serving soldiers, veterans, and civilians. These schools aim to provide specialized education, vocational training, and rehabilitation to help children achieve economic independence and confidence.
Key Details About Asha Schools:
- Mission: Empowering special children through education, skills, and welfare.
- Locations: These schools are spread across various commands, with notable locations including Delhi, Pune, Bengaluru, Lucknow, Secunderabad, Udhampur, and others.
- Capacity: Nurturing about 1,200 children across the country.
- Support & Modernization: The Army collaborates with partners like Religare Enterprises to modernize facilities, providing better infrastructure and vocational opportunities.
- Inclusive Education: These schools are now integrated into the larger Army Welfare Education Society (AWES) framework to promote better learning opportunities.
We Care:
“We Care” initiatives generally focus on fostering compassion, empathy, and support for vulnerable populations, employees, or patients, ensuring their safety, well-being, and dignity. These programs often aim to provide essential needs, such as healthcare, education, or basic necessities, while promoting inclusivity and positive, long term impact.
Key focus areas across different “We Care” initiatives include:
- Social & Humanitarian Support: Projects like We Care International and We Care NGO focus on supporting vulnerable populations, including migrant workers and those affected by crises, by providing rations, aid, and fostering independence.
- Healthcare & Patient Safety: Initiatives like We CARE for Hearts (COVID response), Pam Health, and We Care India emphasize compassionate, personalized care, reducing patient stress, and improving treatment outcomes.
- Corporate & Employee Wellness: The Lindstrom Group and WECARE for Workforce Engagement models focus on workplace safety, inclusivity, employee retention, and fostering a supportive, high performing culture.
- Community & Well-being: We Care Welfare Trust focuses on education, such as distributing school supplies, while projects like WeCare (AAL Programme) address social isolation among older individuals.
- Sustainability & Inclusivity: We Care (LinkedIn) focuses on breaking gender boundaries, promoting self-care, and supporting diverse skin tones in personal care.
- So to the final lines: When a soothing wind blows gently love through the thistledown of expectations, hope may inveigle the future for timeless care and tenderness to be anchored in a bay of good luck. People are supposed to care. It’s good that people mean something to you, that you miss people when they’re gone.
