- Raksha Mantri leads main Veterans’ Day ceremony at Manekshaw Centre, Delhi Cantt
- Over 2,500 veterans from Delhi–NCR participate in national celebrations
- Govt reiterates commitment to OROP, ECHS and veterans’ welfare schemes
- Tributes paid to IPKF heroes of Operation Pawan on its 40th anniversary
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 14th Jan: The nation paid rich tributes to the valour, sacrifices and dedicated service of ex-servicemen on the 10th Defence Forces Veterans’ Day, marked across the country with rallies, wreath-laying ceremonies, grievance redressal counters and facilitation help desks.
Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh led the main ceremony at Manekshaw Centre, Delhi Cantt, which saw the participation of nearly 2,500 veterans from Delhi and the National Capital Region. Addressing the gathering, the Defence Minister described veterans as the “living pillars of national consciousness,” symbols of collective courage and a constant source of inspiration for future generations.
He urged veterans to guide youth, mentor Agniveers, assist civil administration during emergencies, promote social harmony and strengthen grassroots patriotism, stating that their experience, leadership and values are invaluable assets for building a strong, self-reliant and developed India.
Remembering the ex-servicemen who were part of the Indian Peacekeeping Force during Operation Pawan in Sri Lanka nearly 40 years ago, Singh said their courage and sacrifices are now being formally recognised under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He recalled that PM Modi had paid tributes at the IPKF Memorial during his Sri Lanka visit in 2015 and said the contributions of IPKF soldiers are now also being acknowledged at the National War Memorial in New Delhi.
Reiterating the government’s resolve for veterans’ welfare, the Defence Minister highlighted the implementation of One Rank One Pension (OROP) and strengthening of the Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS). He said efforts are being made to expand healthcare access to villages and remote areas through telemedicine facilities.
He also underlined initiatives for the rehabilitation and employment of ex-servicemen, including skill development, priority in public enterprises, encouragement for entrepreneurship and customised housing and loan schemes, ensuring that veterans lead dignified and self-reliant post-retirement lives.
Secretary (Ex-Servicemen Welfare) Sukriti Likhi described Veterans’ Day as a reminder of the enduring bond between the nation and its soldiers, noting that nearly 60,000 soldiers retire annually, creating a veteran population of about 3.5 million, making their welfare a collective national responsibility.
The event was attended by Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, service chiefs, senior defence officials, former chiefs and veterans. Annual veterans’ magazines of the Army, Navy and Air Force were released on the occasion.
Veterans’ rallies and wreath-laying ceremonies were held in several cities including Amritsar, Lucknow, Ranchi, Guwahati, Pune, Goa and Kochi. Rajya and Zila Sainik Boards across the country organised facilitation desks and awareness camps to provide on-the-spot grievance redressal and welfare services.
Defence Forces Veterans’ Day is observed annually on January 14 to honour Field Marshal KM Cariappa, the first Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army, who retired on this day in 1953.
