Indo-China war hero Sheikh Abdul Kareem now drives an auto for living in Hyderabad

Sheikh Abdul Kareem is a Star Medal recipient, a special award for his contribution to the 1971 Indo-China war. (ANI) — Sheikh Abdul Kareem is a Star Medal recipient, a special award for his contribution to the 1971 Indo-China war. **(ANI)**

2 min read . Updated: 03 Mar 2021, 04:37 PM IST Staff Writer

The ex-Army personnel urged the government to provide ex-servicemen who are homeless with the double bedroom flats that are given to the poor

Sheikh Abdul Kareem, an ex-serviceman, who was a star medal awardee during the 1971 Indo-China war, now drives an autorickshaw in Hyderabad for a living.

The Indo-China war hero has appealed to the state government for help. He urged the government to provide ex-servicemen who are homeless with the double bedroom flats that are given to the poor.

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"Despite winning a good service medal, I have not even received any sort of pension or any financial support from the government. I also request the central government to financially support ex-servicemen who are in need of help," Kareem said.

The ex-Army personnel is a Star Medal recipient, a special award for his contribution to the 1971 Indo-China war. He participated in the India-China war and was posted in the Lahaul area.

Speaking to news agency ANI, Kareem said, "I was recruited into the Indian army after the death of my father who worked for the British Army and then for the Indian army. In 1964, I entered the Indian army."

"I participated in the 1971 Indo-China war and was posted in Lahaul area. I was awarded with Star Medal and was the special award recipient in 1971," he said.

Kareem added, "During the reign of Indira Gandhi, as there were surplus army personnel, many of them were removed from the postings and I was one of them. While in the army, I applied for government land and was given five acres of land in Gollapalli village in what is now Telangana."

He said, "After nearly 20 years, the five acres land that was given to me has been distributed among seven village persons and after complaining about the same, I was offered another five acres under the same survey number but was denied the original land. Now it has been nearly about one year and till now the document of the land details are not ready."