Nagpur, Aug 26: Lamenting the insensitivity of general public towards defence personnel and their families, Union Defence Minister George Fernandes asked people to be sympathetic towards their problems. Inaugurating an exclusive hostel for girls of military personnel set up by the relief fund raised by Marathi daily 'Sakal' at Amravati, about 150 kms from here yesterday, he recalled incidents when local police and district collectors had ignored complaints of family members of armed forces, who had approached for help.

Even the letters from defence ministry were not taken seriously, Fernandes added.

"The people remember military personnel only when the war is on but once it is over, very few people bother about them and their family members," he said.
This has been the experience after wars against China and Pakistan earlier and Kargil military conflict, he added.

Fernandes said that the financial assistance meant for the family members of martyrs had been misappropriated in a few cases.
Sakal group managing director Prataprao Pawar presided over the function.

Bureau Report