AWWA President meets Veer Naris & NoK of the martyrs

Bangalore. 15 January 2023. During the ArmyDayParade 2023, Mrs Archana Pande, President AWWA, interacted with the VeerNaris & NOKs of the GallantryAwardees and felicitated them. She expressed her solemn gratitude for the supreme sacrifice made by the Bravehearts.

Army Wives Welfare Association or AWWA for short is an association that works for the welfare of the spouses, children and dependents of Army personnel. It is aptly called the invisible hand that shapes the punch of the Indian Army. The association was officially registered as a Welfare Society with the Registrar of Societies, Delhi Administration on 23 August 1966. Since its inception AWWA has grown in its scope and reach and today it stands proud as one of the largest NGOs in India.

All wives of army men are beneficiaries of AWWA. However, AWWA as a functionary body exists only from the Corps level upwards. Below the Corps level the AWWA presides through its Family Welfare Organizations (FWO). Looking after war widows referred to as Veer Naris is the core focus of AWWA. Because of the nature of an armyman’s job nearly 1200 widows are added to our fold every year. While their dues and pensions are taken care of by the organization,

AWWA provides the much required emotional and moral support to the widows to help them cope with their loss while also addressing any concerns that they may have. AWWA plays an important role in making sure that an army widow does not feel abandoned at any point in time.

An ex-gratia payment of Rs 15000/- is made by AWWA to the veer nari immediately on the occurrence of death. Depending on where the veer nari is residing, a geographically co-located army unit normally adopts her and looks after her needs. The first lady of the Unit takes the lead in providing succor to the veer nari. AWWA maintains a record of veer naris with the help of DIAV. It reaches out to the veer naris on a regular basis. AWWA functionaries visit the lady when a casualty occurs. It makes the veer naris aware of their dues and benefits.

AWWA acts as a mediator or a channel of communication between the veer naris and the official set up of the Indian army for the settlement of their issues.Veer naris are invited to AWWA day functions, regimental reunions and other important functions. Regular health camps are organized for the veer naris. AWWA gives education grants to the veer nari and her children as also a lump sum for the marriage of the daughter. Whenever a job vacancy arises in the AWWA ventures, preference is given to veer naris and their children.

Welfare of troops is of paramount importance in the Army. AWWA works on the premise that a soldier performs best in his line of duty when he knows that his family back home is taken care of now and for all time to come. The aim of the Army Wives Welfare Association therefore is to support and augment the official welfare efforts within the Indian Army, focusing primarily on the welfare of families, children and widows of all ranks including those of retired personnel of the Army.

The nature of army service makes it imperative for the men to be away from their families for long periods of time. The women more often than not are engaged in single parenting. Frequent moves also make it difficult for wives to complete long courses or get jobs in every new station. Keeping the above exigencies in mind AWWA is committed not only to making the wives self reliant but also helping them to bloom where they are planted.

AWWA runs Vocational Training Centres (VTCs) in military stations across the length and breadth of the country. These VTCs offer short courses to the ladies. Popular courses are Nursery Teachers’ Training, Beautician and Tailoring courses. In some stations AWWA runs Army Skill Training Centres under the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana. These ASTCs offer government recognized and funded courses to the  ladies. Thirty Seven ASHA schools for special children are running currently all over the country under the aegis of AWWA. Wishwas is a Vocational training institute for special children is in operation under AWWA.

AWWA runs outlets in many military stations. These are basically fair priced gift shops that cater to the needs of the families residing inside the military cantonments. When employing sales staff at these outlets, preference is given to veer naris and their dependants. Handcrafted products made by the ladies as also the special children occupy a pride of place in these shops.

Beauty parlours in military utility complexes are run by AWWA. Veer naris and VTC/ASTC graduates are encouraged to take up employment in these parlours. AWWA runs women’s’ hostels in bigger stations so that the daughters of army families can pursue higher studies in a safe environment.

AWWA disburses education grants annually to the widows and their children. It also gives one time scholarships to deserving students. AWWA also gives a marriage grant for the dependants of widows. It gives a grant for the purchase of sewing machines to widows of severely disabled soldiers.