India's military tourism plan 'Veer Yatra' to employ ex-servicemen and army widows

A Pune state-run body of ex-servicemen from Maharashtra has initiated Veer Yatra, an effort to showcase the military might and glory to people.

Maharashtra Ex-servicemen Corporation (MESCO) has envisaged to give a boost to ‘military tourism’ in the country through the Veer Yatra, Col (Retd) Suhas Jatkar, Managing Director of MESCO, told reporters at a meeting in Pune recently that,

The corporation plans to start the tours from tomorrow. Different tours are designed for different age groups. The project will showcase the institutions such as National Defence Academy, Armed Forces Medical College, College of Military Engineering, war memorials, military posts, Army workshops, Naval bases, warfare centres, war museums and certain spots including Sino-Indian border at Nathu La Pass, Indo-Pak border, that would instill patriotism in the civil society, he said.

Asserting that the military, its heroic feats, pursuits and wars form an important part of the world history, Jatkar said, the yatra would help to generate people’s interest in the armed forces. Adding to the various facets of defence mechanism and its evolution need to be explored in detail.

Military tourism is a well-established concept worldwide but it has not been dealt with in a structured way in India so far,” he said, The project not only aims to give people the opportunity to experience the valour and glory of the military, but also would be instrumental in inculcating a sense of patriotism among the citizens, in particular the children and youth, he said.

The initiative would also provide meaningful and gainful employment to ex-servicemen and army widows. It will also strengthen the emotional bonds between the military and the civilians, besides inculcating a spirit of patriotism among the youngsters, Jatkar said.

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Maharashtra Ex-servicemen Corporation Ltd. (MESCO) A Government of Maharashtra Undertaking was established on 18 Jan 2002 for the welfare and resettlement of ex-servicemen with the motto of Service with Discipline. MESCO’s objective is to provide reasonable employment to ex-servicemen of the state nearest to their homes/within their district by undertaking various commercial activities.