Update #15: With only lip services from mantri & MoD babus, Jetly's widow might approach PM for help now

In one of the most shocking and embarrassing stories of our times -- Shalini Jetly -- the widow of Indian Air Force's star stunt pilot late Wg Cdr Vikas Jetly might approach the Indian Prime Minister for help. This after her appeals to various channels, including India's Defense Minister A.K. Antony, evoking no concrete responses.
On Feb 28 (today) Jetly's family members returned from Hindon after receiving the family pension. Now, hopefully, it would come very month. His insurance and PF is already in, but gratuity, leave encashment and disability pension are yet to come. The IAF is yet to make up its mind regarding Shalini's plea for a job at TAFS Subrato Park, New Delhi. Though at the mandatory press meet during Aero India 2011, the IAF chief P.V. Naik replied to the blogger's query in detail (this was the longest answer he gave), nothing seems to have moved even now.

Now, the family members confirm that they are taking their plea to Prime Minister. "We are tired. We are exhausted. Everyone is saying that we are being cheated. Our next hope is Prime Minister. We are sure he will understand our pain," a close relative of Shalini, helping the family during the hour of crisis, tells the blogger.

The IAF is said to have given an oral assurance to Shalini that they would offer her an ad-hoc appointment at TAFS, but the family members say that that doesn't serve the purpose. "We have been living on the edge for the last 4 years and don't want to continue like that the rest of our lives. We only keep getting calls from IAF LO and nothing concrete in writing. We have a sense of feeling that we are being taken for a ride," he said.

In a related development, the PA to a Member of Parliament has written to the blogger asking for the details of Jetly and his family and hope the fight for Justice for Jetly will take a decisive turn now.

During the just-concluded Aero India, many MoD Babus and some 'friends' in IAF tried their best to persuade the blogger to give up the Justice for Jetly campaign. Even some of Jetly's very close friends did some polite talking justifying IAF's position and what could have gone behind the delay in getting the family their dues. While it was a very poor PR effort to convince the blogger, what's more shocking is the pace at which things move in MoD.

Blogging for a cause: IAF chief promises all help to Jetly's family; I can understand the trauma of the lady, says Naik

Today is February 11, 2011. Exactly a month since we lost Wg Cdr Vikas Jetly – one of the finest stunt pilots with India’s Sarang Aerobatic Display Team. It’s also one month since Tarmak007 launched the Justice for Jetly campaign. Misty  eyes when I sit down to write this post on Day-3 of an otherwise boring Aero India-2011. I am sure those who have been following  this campaign could understand why...

On February 10, during the customary Aero India press meet of Indian Air Force at Yelahanka Air Force Station, a question was posed to IAF chief P.V. Naik as to know the status of Winco Jetly’s wife’s (Shalini) petition. For the first time since the Justice for Jetly campaign was launched, we had an official response from the IAF, though India’s defense minister Antony had written to the family promising support.

Naik assured the IAF would address the demands of late Winco Jetly’s family members. A calm and composed Air Chief said this: “Very sad. I am aware of the case and we will do everything possible to help the family. She (Shalini) had met my wife. I can understand the pain and agony of a widow and especially in this case, it was more. I am sure she will come out of it and make a life of herself. I am told that she is a very strong woman. The IAF will give her full support. In the armed forces a lot of things -- especially pension and other benefits -- are released only after a person’s death. She also needs a job and I am aware of the same,” the chief said.

Back in Delhi, the family members had mixed response when told about the Naik’s promise. “We are waiting. Now, that the Air Chief has made a public statement, we hope things will move,” a family member said.

Tarmak007 would keep the campaign alive, but would want to express my gratitude to all Media friends, online forums (BR, Andhrafriends etc), who took up this campaign to more people. Hope the IAF will find a solution to help the family, finally.

Probably this is the best news I am brining to all of you from Aero India 2011. IAF Chief promises help to Jetly family.

R.I.P. Winco Jetly! 

Update # 13: Only lip service; Jetly's family yet to get justice!

Close to three weeks after the demise of Wg Cdr Vikas Jetly, there seems to be noting substantiate happening from the side of IAF and India government. While, the IAF officials  have not yet made an official statement in this regard, India's defense minister A.K. Antony had at least the courtesy to reply to a letter written to him by Jetly's wife Shalini.

Here's what an IAF official wrote to Tarmak007, when asked why there's still a delay in getting justice to Jetly family. "I am told her case is under progress. While on it, there are a few things that need to be understood. She was offered a job as warden in Air Force Bal Bharti School where she could avail of accommodation and also have her children transferred for convenience, among other things. She turned it down and insists for a teaching job in The Air Force School only. She is a Home Science graduate, over 40 years and with no experience in teaching at school. She has only college teaching experience but as per the guidelines of the government her qualifications/age do not conform to the requirements for a fresh appointment of a new teacher. The AF is also considering seeking a special waiver for her from the Govt. Yet there is one problem. There is a vacancy for only one Home Science teacher and there is already someone serving for years. The teacher serving cannot be removed to accommodate Mrs Jetly. The administration is trying to figure out a workable way. While all sympathies exist for the family, some things do not find easy solution every which way the family wants. And rightly, as the minister wrote, things are being actually looked into," the official said.

Family members now confirm to Tamak007 that the Shalini Jetly is now planning to meet the wife of India's Air Chief through the Air Force Wives' Welfare Association.

It is indeed really sad that the widow of IAF's promising and ace stunt pilot is put to so much of difficulties by the administration. While it is great to see India's defense minister Antony has written to the family, what really needs to be seen is whether a solution would emerge without delay.

If not, it will be a major embarrassment to IAF, Ministry of Defense and other officials during the upcoming Aero India.

Justice for Jetly. Just that!

(A report in today's Deccan Herald)

Tarmak007 updates: News you might have missed!

Owing to the ongoing Justice for Jetly campaign, Tarmak007 wasn't hosting stories from Aviation Week Microsites. Here are the links to the reports that went live recently. Click on the image to read the full report.

1. The Indian Defense Research and Development Organization’s (DRDO) plan to set up a Defense Technology Commission (DTC) is inching closer to reality. DRDO chief V.K. Saraswat said on Jan. 28 that the DTC — formed along the lines of India’s Space Commission and Atomic Energy Commission — would enable more self-reliance among DRDO labs through better funding and decentralization. “After a lot of deliberations within the ministry of defense, I can confirm that the DTC is moving in the right direction,” Saraswat says. “Now it is awaiting the Indian government’s nod.”

2. India’s Embraer-built Airborne Early Warning & Control System (AEW&C) is scheduled for rollout Feb. 21 in Brazil. A senior defense official confirmed to Aviation Week Jan. 27 that the first flight of the modified EMB-145 is expected around May. “The first EMB-145 will land in India in August 2011 for system integration and subsequent induction into the Indian Air Force (IAF),” the official says. “The AEW&C with the systems integrated by CABS will fly in India in early 2012,” the official says. “CABS have already begun the integration on ground-based systems [according to the] exact specifications [of] the EMB-145, including the seating arrangements.”

3. India’s Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) is developing a range of protective clothing that includes jackets, vests, shoe insoles and heated gloves for pilots. “Though the majority of our soldiers and pilots are acclimatized to hostile terrains in the frontier areas and battle zones, it is pivotal to protect them from head to foot,” says a senior scientist with DRDO’s Bengaluru-based Defense Bio-Engineering and Electro-medical Laboratory (Debel). “In some cases the soldiers will be under severe physiological stress, which can limit their performance in combat missions,” the scientist says. “The normal physiological responses to cold weather are shivering and diversion of blood away from the extremities leading the surface skin to sink inward. Frostbite and hypothermia are also common while operating at high-altitude regions of Leh, Ladakh, Kargil, Dras, Mushkoh, Batalik, Chorbatla and Siachen.”

4. The Karnataka government in India has cleared a proposal submitted by Mahindra Aerospace to set up an aerospace component manufacturing unit in Kolar, near Bengaluru, with an initial investment of Rs 284 crore ($63 million). The government also cleared information technology giant Wipro’s proposal to set up an aerospace facility near Bengaluru’s new airport in Devanahalli, with an investment of Rs 52 crore ($11.6 million).

5. Dr Kota Harinarayana, former director of the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft program is recommending India focus its energies on cutting costs and development times in its future aircraft programs. “Today the aviation market has shifted from North America and Europe to Asia and in particular India, so what we need is [to manufacture aircraft that are] cost effective with the best operational capabilities,” said Kota during his keynote address at the India Defense and Aerospace Symposium 2011 in Bengaluru Jan. 25.

6. India’s national carrier Air India extended a series of fare concessions for para-military forces personnel, children and senior citizens on the eve of India’s Republic Day, Jan. 26. Air India says that the steps have been taken to make air travel affordable to more segments. As per the new guidelines announced on Jan. 25, the discount available to para-military personnel will now cover family members of Border Security Force, Indo Tibetan Border Police, Coast Guard, Central Industrial Security Force, Central Reserve Police Force, Assam Rifles, Railway Protection Force, Intelligence Bureau and the Sashastra Seema Bal. “Other than on apex fares, a discount of 50 percent on the basic fare component will be available on all fare levels in economy class for domestic sectors only,” an Air India spokesperson tells Aviation Week. Those from the Indian army, navy and air force already enjoy these benefits.

7. Bharat Electronic Limited (BEL) will showcase homegrown Network Centric Warfare (NCW) technologies during the upcoming Aero India 2011, to be held Feb. 9-13 at the Yelahanka Air Force Station in Bengaluru. I.V. Sarma, BEL’s research and development director, tells Aviation Week that NCW displays will include command and control systems; air space management; multi-sensor tracking; air defense simulation; battlefield management systems and coastal surveillance systems. BEL will also showcase new products and technologies including software-defined radio (SDR), the next-generation bulk encryptor and high data tactical radio. “The SDR will be on display for the first time,” Sarma says.

Update # 12: Antony responds to late Wg Cdr Jetly's wife's letter

Jetly's family received this letter from Antony today.

Update # 11: Jetly's pension papers finally move, but...

Any nation that does not honor its heroes
will not long endure. -- Abraham Lincoln

Late Wg Cdr Vikas Jetly's pension papers have finally moved. This after over one year of his retirement from the Indian Air Force (IAF). Family sources tell Tarmak007 that the Pension Pay Order (PPO) number has been released to the bank, signalling that the much-awaited pension will sooner or later start coming. It will take some more time before the family starts receiving the pension.

There's yet no official word from Defense Minister A.K. Antony following Shalini Jetly's letter addressed to him dated 17.01.2011. Aides close to Antony, however, confirmed the receipt of the letter, which according to them, is marked to Secretary Defense with a note "For Immediate Action." Now, the file will go through the proper-channel -- which means another set of delays!

The family members have concluded the 11th and 13th day ceremonies, post Jetly's demise, and are now putting the pieces together for a stable future. The load on Shalini has increased. She has to do a balancing act and take care of the needs of her aged parents -- father (80) and mother (77), in-laws -- father (75) and mother (65) and her children  (12 & 8). She also has to run around to get the dues from the IAF and continue with a life hoping against hope that the IAF would give her a teaching job.

It is now confirmed that Shalini is unlikely to take-up the teaching job offer from Indus International School in Bangalore. "She is ever grateful to the school management who came forward to help her after seeing the media reports. We are touched by the gesture of the Bangalore-based school, who did exactly what the IAF failed to do all these years despite our pleas. We are all settled in Delhi and it won't be possible for us to move to Bangalore to take up this job. Please convey our heartfelt gratitude to the school," says a Jetly family member.

Tarmak007 will keep-up the campaign going until the family gets a fair and deserving response from the IAF and the government. The online signature campaign is still on and the blogger is grateful to the online community which has been spreading the Justice for Jetly campaign to more people. 

 

Update #10: Bangalore-based Indus International School offers Shalini Jetly job; no news yet from Antony & IAF!

The Indus International School, promoted by Mantri Developers, has come  forward offering a teaching job to Shalini Jetly, wife of late Wg Cdr Vikas Jetly. There's no news yet from Defense Minister A.K. Antony and the IAF!

(This post will be updated) 

 

Update # 9: Bangalore Media joins Justice for Jetly campaign; shocked ex-student writes to TAFS princy; online signature campaign to Antony gains momentum

The Justice for Jetly campaign has picked up momentum. Military sources tell Tarmak007 that India's Defense Minister A.K. Antony has received the letter from Shalini Jetly, wife of late Wg Cdr Vikas Jetly (Jets). The family members are heading for  Haridwar tomorrow (January 21) for the 11th day ceremony and to immerse the ashes. The petitiononine signature campaign addressed to Antony has picked up on the second day (yesterday) with over 150 signing-up for cause. 

The Bangalore Media too has joined the Justice for Jetly campaign with the DNA and the Deccan Herald coming out with detailed articles today. This is the second time that both the papers have published reports on Jets. Rahul Singh (first to report) of Hindustan Times too is backing the campaign and has written two back-to-back stories so far.

The blogger received an email from Shivi Krishna, a former student of The Air Force School (TAFS), Subrato Park, New Delhi, where Shalini is seeking a teaching job. The 1995 batch student, said in his mail to the TAFS principal: "I felt a strange sense of disquiet on reading the plight of Mrs Jetly on Tarmak007. I write to you because being a product of this institution I could not fathom why Mrs Jetly was denied an opportunity to be employed on humanitarian grounds at this very institution where her children also study. I feel that whatever reasons the management had to reject her plea, it runs contrary to the values that this institution imbibed in me and all its students over the years. I therefore request you to kindly look at her case again and on humanitarian grounds see what best can be done to help her case."

We shall keep the campaign going and see what Antony and his Air Chief would do to help Jets' family. 

Hope justice prevails, finally!

Copyright DNA: A report by Hemanth C.S. in DNA (P 1), dated 20.01.2011, below.

Copyright DH: A report by Chethan Kumar in Deccan Herald (P 7), dated 20.1.11, below.

 

QUOTE OF THE DAY

Any nation that does not honor its heroes will not long endure. -- Abraham Lincoln 

Update # 8: Here's what late Wg Cdr Jetly's wife wrote to Antony

 

Yet another piece by Rahul Singh in today's Hindustan Times
IAF's stunt pilot's widow turns to Antony for help.

Update # 7: Jetly’s wife, father knock at Antony’s doors pinning hopes

When God closes one door, he opens another. Well, this belief is currently put to test by late Wg Cdr Vikas Jetly’s wife Shalini, his father O.P. Jetly (75) and other family members. Sources tell Tarmak007 that the family members have written to India’s Defense Minister A.K. Antony on Tuesday, highlighting their plight.

The two-page letter, according to family members, has been faxed to Antony’s office in South Block, while another one is on its way via post. “He is our last hope. We are tired and worried of Shalini’s future,” says a family member.

Spare a thought for a 75-year-old man, who is left with no option but to run around to facsimile centres and post offices with the last hope that somebody will step forward to help the family. Jetly’s parents are heading to Haridwar for the 13^th day ceremony on January 21 and there’s going to be another one at home on January 23.

Meanwhile, Tuesday was action-packed for Tarmak007 with the Justice for Jetly campaign really picking up momentum. A Chennai-based legal firm has come forward to offer free services to Shalni, if she continues to be ignored by the government officials. “We are all ashamed. It’s sad that a great pilot’s wife and family members have to beg and plead for help,” says the firm official, in an email.

Another blog member prompted Tarmak007 to get online with a mass petition drive (signature campaign) in support of Jetly’s family. You could view the content of the petition, pledge support by signing and once we achieve enough numbers, the same will be delivered to Antony.  http://www.petitiononline.com/afjet007/petition.html

Hope Antony will put his foot down and save the IAF and his ministry from further embarrassment? Hope my colleagues in the Media will take up this campaign to next level and help a really deserving pilot’s family? Let MMRCA, Tejas, Arjun and Agni take a break! What are machines minus the men?

Thanks for all the support for the campaign. R.I.P. Wg Cdr Jetly.

Related stories on this blog:

Ace pilot never got his dues

Friends share priceless memories

Sarang Team pays tributes to 'Jet Sir'

Top pilot's wife pleads for a teaching job

# 6. Ace pilot never got his retirement benefits! IAF cared too little for late Wg Cdr Jetly's wife's pleas for the last 1 year

This is a shocker. A story, may be, that will evoke a second thought in all those aspiring to be a pilot with the Indian Air Force.

Just days after Tarmak007 launched the ‘Justice for Jetly’ campaign, the late Wg Cdr Vikas Jetly’s (Jets) family members now confirm that his wife (Shalini) has been running from pillar to post, for claiming her husband’s post-retirement benefits for the last one year. Jets was invalidated (retired) from the rolls of IAF on the afternoon of January 6, 2010. (He had severe head injuries after his Dhruv chopper crashed on February 2, 2007. He remained in coma till he breathed his last on January 11, 2011.)

Jets’ family members tell Tarmak007 that so far, barring his provident fund (PF) -- which the IAF has no say in -- and a portion of his insurance dues, none of his other end-of-Service benefits have been delivered. Remember: All this after one year of his retirement from IAF! There is no intimation yet on his pension, gratuity, leave encashment and part of insurance payments. Also Jets’ December 2009 salary and 5 days of January payments too never came through.

Family sources say that Shalini was running the show with the arrears she got after the 6^th Pay Commission scales were implemented and with the PF money. Jets is survived by his wife, 2 children and aged parents -- Om Prakash Jetly (75) and mother Prem Jetly (65).

THIS IS SHOCK TREATMENT: It is disturbing to know that the IAF even refused to entertain Shalini’s repeated pleas for a teaching job at the The Air Force School (TAFS), Subroto Park in New Delhi. While one thought that the job was the only worrying point, it is really shocking to know the kind of trauma the wife of a star pilot had to go through all these while.

“This always happens if you are a helicopter pilot in the IAF. We get secondary treatment. Imagine if this was the case of a frontline fighter pilot. Things would have happened at a lightning speed. You might be surprised, but we are used to this kind of step-motherly treatment towards helicopter pilots. This has been a tradition that has been followed. It will never change. While we are all solidly behind Jets’ family, we can’t come out in the open and express our feelings. It is disgusting. After Jets’ left us and the kind of stories we hear from his family, we are all disturbed,” was the reaction of a senior IAF chopper pilot, who knew Jets, while he was operating in Leh.

WHO NEEDS AN ENEMY?: Says an email from Manoj Monga that came to the blogger: "I am ashamed to see that my country and one of its esteemed and professional armed forces (IAF) has stooped to such low levels that it does not even consider necessary to pay the dues to its pilot, who always put his life in the line for his country. The denied dues have been earned and not gifted, especially when one's funeral fires have been lit leaving behind a widow, two unsupported kids and aged parents. Get out of your slumber and give some respect to one of your own and get some dignity back. With people like these in our armed forces, who needs an enemy?"

Hope Shalini’s plight won’t get buried as IAF gears up for the Aero India plane carnival in Yelahanka in February? Hope the powers-that-be at the Air Headquarters will budge and end the suffering of Jets’ family? 

The Aero India 2011 will definitely lose its sheen if the MoD doesn't wake up and restore some lost pride due to this incident. The Sarangs will still perform, with heavy hearts, owing to the treatment meted out to their favorite Jet Sir. It will be a fitting tribute to Jets and his family, if the men in blue at Air HQ decide to solve this issue swiftly. If not, it's time for Mr A.K. Antony to step in and end this national shame. At least he owes an answer to the Nation.    

Touching the skies with glory! Well…

Related stories on this blog:

Friends share priceless memories

Sarang Team pays tributes to 'Jet Sir'

Top pilot's wife pleads for a teaching job

# 5. R.I.P. Winco Jetly: Friends share priceless memories of jumbo-hearted Jets; Tarmak007 to step-up 'Justice for Jetly' campaign

Photo 1: Team Sarang; Photo 2: Late night paan outing at Jodhpur during Sarang Yojana. Photo 3: Felicitation by Mahraja of Jodhpur Gaj Singh; Photo 4:  CO Flt Cdr (course mate ) and Jets cool off on the tarmac waiting for refueling during the long and frequent ferries; Photo 5: Sarang family at Goa in 2007, prior to coming back to Yelahanka for Aero India 07; Photo 6: Felicitation by Mahraja of Jodhpur Gaj Singh; Photo 7: At Saby's place during one of the social evenings; Photo 8:  Winco Menon and Jets (friends and crew of Sarang-2).

Photos Courtesy: Saby Kurian

(Request all Jetly’s friends (in IAF & others) to email his photos with the Sarang team or any other while in Service to: anantha.ak@gmail.com)

More campaign stories from Monday.