These retired officers have found various new platforms from which they can continue to serve the nation

For years they served the nation with courage and pride. They guarded the borders, patrolled the high seas, fought bloody wars; some suffered grievous wounds. Then came the time to hang up their uniforms. But their commitment to the country and to society did not end there. Using the knowledge and experience that they had garnered they plunged into social work. For some it is a passion for preserving the environment. For others it is helping out with cancer patients. A few tackle civic issues, trying to make Pune a better place to live in, while others took up the cause of dumb animals. And all of it on a purely voluntary basis.

General Yeshwant Sahasrabuddhe, PVSM, founded the Express Citizens' Forum in 1989 and is the Founder President of Nagarik Chetna Manch set up in 1991. He has always been in the forefront of activities to improve civic amenities in Pune. He was closely associated with the War Memorial at Morwada Junction, the first such memorial built totally with civilian contribution, to pay tribute to soldiers who had sacrificed their lives for the nation. When the heritage building that houses Shivaji Market was to be torn down, it was thanks to stalwarts like him that it stayed intact. Restricting building activity on M. G. Road and widening of roads were other activities that came under his initiative. He is also Chairman of the Vidya Bhavan. "At one point of time I was either president or Chairman of at least twenty-five organisations," he laughs. At 79, he still spends as many as four to five days in a week attending the various meetings.

After serving for 25 years in the Infantry, Lt. Col Suresh Patil traded his olive green uniform for the greenery of nature. He founded the Green Thumb Environment Protection Group. They have successfully preserved and added to the tree population in many parts of Pune, turning desolate tracts of land into green lungs. The Nullah Park at Fatima Nagar and the one near Salunkhe Vihar, both of which abound with trees, have come up thanks to their efforts. He also converted a 200-acre barren tract of land on Nagar Road into the beautiful Pakshi Teerth. As with all his projects, he enlisted the help of NCC cadets and young students. Thirty-six ponds were dug to facilitate rainwater harvesting and hundreds of saplings were planted. In no time the land bloomed and attracted hordes of migratory birds. Green Thumb also organises slide shows, seminars, nature trails and camps to promote eco awareness.

Age has not slowed down Vice Admiral Manohar Awati, Vir Chakra, PVSM. This former Commandant of NDA had always been interested in nature, and after retirement he devoted all his time to the cause. He founded the Maritime History Society in Mumbai. He was Chairman of the World Wide Fund, Maharashtra and Goa chapter, is the present Chairman of Ecological Society, Pune and is a very active member of Bombay Nature History Society and the Indian Maritime Foundation. At 80, he is always on the go. "Twenty four hours in the day are not enough for me," he says. He participates in seminars, writes articles and memoranda for various magazines and periodicals, not just on environment issues like water management and cutting down rain forests, but also on national security and strategy. "We must bear the responsibility of maintaining an ecological balance. If we abuse nature, nature will not forgive and will finally turn against us," he emphasises.

Commander Satya Prakash Taneja, affectionately referred to by his nickname 'Sati', is also made of a similar fibre. A member of the Indian Maritime Foundation (IMF), he is involved in various activities ranging from preparations for seminars, arranging concerts by the Navy band, to advising Members of Parliament about maritime affairs and requirements. "By carrying out lectures in schools and colleges, the IMF helps to raise awareness of marine environment and creates maritime consciousness. When we talk about environment, we must consider the importance of the oceans and keep in mind that this is where life began."

When Air Commodore Ashok Shinde retired, he was fired with the aim of helping the jawans who had retired from active service. As Director of the Sainik Welfare Board, he drew up a plan for fund raising on Flag Day. With the result that funds shot up from a mere Rs. 4 lakhs to Rs. 4.5 crores, making it possible to extend additional benefits to retired soldiers. He also devotes a lot of time to Lila Parulekar's home for animals, where he takes care of all administrative affairs, leaving the gutsy lady enough time to lavish on her four-legged charges.

When Prashanti Cancer Care Mission was set up in 1998, Wing Commander Dhurjoti Lahiri was one of the first volunteers to join. He became part of a support group, which not only meets up with noted oncologists, to learn more about the disease and its treatment, but also visits patients diagnosed with cancer. He is a familiar figure in the wards of Jehangir Hospital, which he visits at least twice a week, trying to infuse cheer and hope into the lives of patients and their families. He is also part of a group of Attitudinal Healing, which brought much emotional succour to victims of the Gujarat earthquake a few years ago.

What spurs on these retired officers to give so much of their time and even money to such causes? Most of them reiterate the same sentiments as Cdr. Taneja - "The Armed Forces has given us a lot. I felt it was time to give back something to society. Besides, it keeps me physically and mentally agile." For Lt. General Sahasrabuddhe, social work has been a family tradition: "My parents were dedicated social workers and we grew up in this atmosphere." Lt. Colonel Patil reveals how he had been critically wounded in the 1971 Indo-Pak War - "My life after that has been a bonus, so I must do something worthwhile with it," he smiles. Vice Admiral Awati refers to his activities as "a drop in the ocean", but takes solace from the fact that the middle class is becoming more aware of their social duties. "The act of giving leads to a feeling of happiness which is unmatched," is how they all sum it up. We salute the invincible and selfless spirit of these ever-dedicated patriots of the nation.

Mita Banerjee