"Though Hurt, I Grow"

We know about the soldiers who have helped India win the battles and wars, namely, Naib Subedar Bana Singh, Rifleman Sanjay Kumar, Grenadier Yogendra Singh Yadav, Capt. Jaidev Dangi etc. We also know about the soldiers who have sacrificed their lives for our country. Some of these martyrs are Capt. Vikram Batra, Capt. Manoj Kumar Pandey, Hemant Karkare, Veerappan, Sandeep Unnikrishnan. But are you aware of those soldiers who have been injured in some war or some critical conditions or even due to some accidental blasts on the fields? These are the military people who become handicapped while functioning for our nation. These soldiers cannot immediately get back to work. They either start to live as civilians by searching for a job or they improve their health conditions and join back to live for India.

QMTI, Queen Mary's Technical Institute, is an institute for these soldiers. We cannot call these ex-servicemen disabled because they carry lot of courage even when they are differently abled. It was registered as non-profitable limited company under the Indian Companies Act, 1913. Queen Mary was the first patron. Purpose was to impart vocational training to the war casualties of the Indian Armed Forces to enable them to earn an independent respectful living. Post independence, in 1953 it was duly registered as a Charitable Educational Trust under Bombay Public Trust Act, 1950. This institute is located in Khadki, Pune, with an approximate area of about 17.3 acres. "Though hurt, I grow" is what these soldiers believe in. This place is the only Institute wherein the differently abled soldiers are trained and educated to gain technical knowledge. In the year 2017, on May 16, the 100th anniversary of QMTI was celebrated. Knowledge is provided of various fields including Computer understanding, Automobile working, Electrical & Electronic study, Business Administration & Management etc. The area consists of the labs for these subjects, a canteen, Kargil Memorial Hall and some houses for these brave Indians.

Recently, under the guidance and support of Hon. Shri. Sunil Rane sir, a group of 13 patriots of Atharva Foundation along with 4 faculty personnel visited this optimistic environment on November 2, 2018. QMTI campus is filled with utmost positivity. A sense of encouraging attitude is felt on taking every step in the area. Straight through the entrance, is the main office of this institute. Here, all the information about the institute, the campus and their progress from the base till now, is delivered. The campus contains greenery and complete silence.

There are classrooms and labs for these soldiers according to the subject chosen. Various machinery and softwares are used for better understanding of the subjects. Examinations are also conducted for these soldier students. Though a helper is provided to them to write their answers, some of these braves willingly complete their exams by themselves. One such Navy Officer, Jitendra Singh, filled all the faces with astonishment. This courageous soldier had to ampute his forearm, after a cylinder blast in his hand. Still he chose to write by himself using a band to hold the pen.

These ex-servicemen have a habit to follow strict discipline. Thus, they follow a strict schedule even in QMTI. They have their lectures till 10 in the morning, after which the soldiers on wheelchair compulsorily visit the physiotherapist. After this, they have their way to the canteen. The canteen has a QMTI. They have their lectures till 10 in the morning, after which the soldiers on wheelchair compulsorily visit the physiotherapist. After this, they have their way to the canteen. The canteen has a homely flavour for the foods. A Vegetable, Roti/Chapati, Rice, Dal and Salad are included in their diet.

These soldiers have lectures and labs to attend post-lunch. Thereafter they have their time for Sports, Gym and other extra-curriculars. QMTI provides these men even with a library, where the necessary books for the different subjects are present. Overall, QMTI is a family to help the injured soldiers to exit from the mental trauma, start a new beginning, and help them achieve a good stable life. It works for the betterment of these soldiers and help them to lead their future by providing a complete positive environment.

"They are differently abled,
They may be shy...
But their bravery and courage,
Always makes them fly high..."

Reeya Nand
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