All India Gorkha Ex-Servicemen’s Welfare Association (AIGEWA)

Brief History
All India Gorkha Ex-Servicemen’s Welfare Association (AIGEWA) is a prestigious organization which is  serving for the welfare of all   Gorkha Ex-Servicemen and their dependents who are living in various states-all of India. The Organisation  came into its  existence on 26 Nov 1950.The Association was formed during the the onset of World War II with a contributory fund of 40 Lacs as corpus money received from Post War Reconstruction Fund in 1947. The Post War Reconstruction Fund was  a scheme created by the British India Govt on 3 April 1942 when the great World War II had broken out. It was made for the Welfare and rehabilitation of thousand of  Indian Soldiers and Gorkha Soldiers of Nepal who had fought for the Britishers in the World War II viz, from 3 Sep 1939 to 8 Nov 1945. British India Govt contemplated that on completion of war several soldiers would be de-mobilized and  go back to their homes. Hence , in Apr 1942 for their welfare and rehabilitation a fund was created known as “Post War Reconstruction Fund” (PWRF) . To this fund Govt Of India contributed  every month  Rupees two for each combatant and one rupee for each non combatant. Consequently , World War II ended on 08 Nov 1945 after America’s fighter planes dropped two atom bombs in   Japanese busy cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki causing huge destruction and loss to human lives.

All India Gorkha Ex-Servicemen’s Welfare Association (AIGEWA)

The total amount accumulated in the PWRF during the 6 Year World War II were as under: -

(i)         Army                                       - .19,35,24,000.00
(ii)        Royal Indian Navy                 - .     13,31,000.00
(iii)       Royal Indian Air Force           - .     11,84,000.00
                                                            Total    - .19,60,39,000.00

The then Govt. decided to with hold 20% of PWRF as corpus money for future and welfare of  Indian Ex-Servicemen  and rest of the shares were distributed to various provinces and Indian states for their troops. During this period our neighbouring countries like Burma, Pakistan, Srilanka Nepal were considered as provinces and states like Gwalior, Hydrabad etc. of local Rajya/ Zamindars under British India rule.

During the process an amount of .54 Lacs came into the share of Nepal and was passed onto the Govt Of Nepal in 1947  without retaining any share for the Indian Gorkha Soldiers staying back / settled in India totaling to approx 15000 . Despite sacrificing their valuable lives in the battle field of World War II, legitimate rights of Indian Gorkhas were ignored. Having found such injustice some of elite Indian Gorkhas like Ari Bahadur Gurung, Bar- at – Law (Darjeeling) then member of Parliament (Ist Lok Sabha of Independent India), Dilip Singh Thakur, New Delhi, LR Josse, MLA Calcutta, Shri Dhan Singh Thapa, New Delhi, Sheel Chand Thakur, New Delhi etc. unitedly came forward to protest against this issue. Not only this they also formerly formed an organisation called as “Indian Gorkha Ex-Servicemen’s Welfare Fund” (IGEWF) which  later on became the mile stone in formation of AIGEWA. Through this IGEWF, they put forward the strong demand of PWRF shares for Indian Gorkha Ex-Servicemen also. Ultimately Govt. of Nepal agreed to offer .10 Lacs out of their shares and Govt. of India also offered additional .30 Lacs . Thus ,  the amount of 40 Lacs were made as corpus money for the welfare of IGEWF. The Indian  Govt then advised Shri Ari Bahadur Gurung, MP to form an organisation in all India basis for the administration of .40 Lacs corpus money in a suitable manner. So in the mean time All India Gorkha Ex-Servicemen's Welfare Association (AIGEWA) was formed on 14 Feb 1951( as per the Govt. order) and allotted  registered no S-476 of 1950 by the Society Act xxi of 1860. Thereafter it was simultaneously recognized by Govt. of India, Min of Defence letter No. (Copy enclosed) .

Formal AIGEWA Formation
Under the direction of the Min. of Defence the first meeting of IGEW Fund was held on 20 Mar 1951 in which AIGEWA was finally formed. This meeting was inaugurated by Shri Ari Bahadur Gurung, MP at the Constitution Hall of Parliament House, New Delhi in the august presence of Shri Himat Singh Jee, Minister and Shri HM Patel, ICS then Defence Secretary and 10 representatives of Gorkha Ex-Servicemen’s (GESM) of Assam Shillong, Darjeeling, Dehradun, Bhagshu, Dharamahsala, Nautanwa, Shimla, New Delhi. In this meeting Shri Ari Bahadur Gurung was elected AIGEWA’s first President, Shri LR Josse, MLA, Vice President and Shri DS Thakur, General Secretary.

It is also worth mentioning here that in the meeting Govt. of India, Min of Defence clarified that they will not be to able deal with the affairs of Gorkha Ex-Servicemen’s spread over in various states. Hence, the Govt. of India instead authorized AIGEWA to make recommendation to the Min of Defence for the smooth administration of Indian Gorkha Ex-Servicemen’s Welfare fund set up under Govt. of India letter No.27-8B(124)/49/I/1267/D(AG) dated 14 Feb 1951. This is the historical facts regarding the formation of AIGEWA for which all Indian Gorkha Ex-servicemen should feel proud of .

Management And Utilization Of  Fund

The main objective of the fund is to offer grant to promote the economic , social & educational welfare of the Gorkhas & also to render assistance to orphans , widows & destitudes. A committee was thus formed administer the fund. The Chairman was the Secty Min Of Defence and President AIGEWA ,The DGR & Secty KSB were also the members. Thus the corpus money of .40 lacs has been merged with Flag day Fund under Ministry of Defense Govt. of India, New Delhi wef. from 2000. This is  under the supervision of Kendriya Sainik Board Army Headquarter RK Puram, New Delhi . Interest of the Corpus Money are provided to AIGEWA every year as a Annual Budget for its utilization for the welfare of Indian Gorkha Ex-Servicemen, their widows and dependents in the shape of scholarship, funeral grant, DD-40, Daughters marriage and loss of property due to natural calamities.

(a) The Annual Budget till FY- 2006-2007 was only  5 Lacs

(b) From FY 2007-2008 it was increased to  8 Lacs.

(c) Now, due to increase in awareness & spreading of AIGEWA activities / launching of various welfare projects since 8 Lacs budgets is also felt inadequate to carry out those important projects and programmes  all over India.  KSB, New Delhi has been requested again to enhance our Budgets to 12 Lacs.

Sister Organisations Affiliated To AIGEWA

The headquarters of AIGEWA is located at the Multi Purpose Hall, Vill Nayagaon , PO Anarwala, Dehradun (Uttarakhand). The following are its sister Orgs;-

(i) Gorkha Ex-Servicemen’s Association, Darjeeling (WB)

(ii)Himachal Pradesh Gorkha Ex-Servicemen’s Welfare Association, Bakloh (HP)

(iii)Himachal & Punjab Gorkha Association, Dharamshala, (HP)

(iv)Gorkha Sudhar Sabha, Jammu

(v) Gorkha Ex-Servicemen welfare Union, Nautanwa (UP)

(vi)Punjab Gorkha Ex-Servicemen Welfare Association, Pathankot (Punjab)

(vii)Gorkha Association , Shimla (HP)

(viii)Gorkhali Sudhar Sabha, Dehradun, (UK)

(ix)Meghalaya Gorkha Ex-Servicemen’s Welfare Union, Shillong (Meghalaya)

(x)Sirmour Gorkha Association Nahan (HP)

Aim and Objects:

The Association was formed exclusively for the welfare of Gorkha Community to cover Welfare schemes for upliftment of  its socio economic status. The objectives are enumeratsd below:-

(a)To render such assistance – pecuniary etc. – to widows, orphans, destitutes and other needy members of the community as may be possible out of funds which may be specially collected for such objects.

(b)To consider and put into force all proposals received by the association from associate organisations for benefits, assistance or aids etc. to members of the community.

(c)To set up new destitute homes, schools, institutions etc. and to maintain those already established in India.

(d)To lay down policies regarding investment, disbursement and utilization of the funds belonging to the Association.

(e)To collect and receive funds, contributions from Government, various organisation and individuals etc. to full fill the objects for which the Association has been formed.

(f)To render financial support to the deserving financially poor children of ex-servicemen, who are studying from class VI to BA and above through scholarship.

(g)To conduct free 3 months vocational training of professional course like: - Beautician, computer, carpet weaving, soft toys making and cutting tailoring, knitting, embroidery, painting and fabric painting in their areas of affiliated organisation whenever they demand so that dependent youths of ex-Servicemen may became self reliant.

(h)To prevail awareness among the society for the upliftment of community.

Infrastructure  

Fortunately due  to relentless personal endeavor of Late Brig (Retd) SS Panwar, Ex- President today AIGEWA has its own infrastructure located at Multipurpose Home (MPH), at Vijaypur- Hathibarkala (Naya Gaon) Dehradun  constructed at the cost of  .28 lacs provided by Kendriya Sainik Board, New Delhi. Today,  this Multipurpose Home (MPH) have its office accommodation, small Library cum Conference Hall,  Coaching Class rooms for computers,  ladies Vocational Training class rooms involving , tailoring cutting, Knitting, embroidery  etc. Beside this, we are maintaining  guest rooms / dormitory accommodation ( 18 pers), dining hall and kitchen, for stay of out station guests /delegates during Annual General Meeting.

Source: aigewa

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