Thair bhat banihali cni
Rajouri : cni The 10th Veterans’ Day celebrations concluded today at Rajouri. The event brought together veterans, serving personnel, families and citizens in a befitting finale that highlighted unity, tradition and compassion.
The ceremony commenced with the arrival of the Chief Guest, Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor of the Union Territory of J&K, Shri Manoj Sinha reflecting the highest level of commitment to the welfare of veterans. The programme began with the rendition of the National Anthem by students of Army Goodwill Public School, Rajouri. This was followed by the arrival of the Dhruva Motorcycle Rally, accompanied by the Eternal Mashaal symbolising unity, brotherhood and the enduring ethos of ‘Service Beyond Uniform’. After covering a distance of approximately 740 kilometres the rally was formally flagged-in by the Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor. Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma, SYSM, PVSM, AVSM, SM, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Northern Command delivered the Welcome Address in which he paid rich tributes to the sacrifice & commitment of veterans and reaffirmed the unwavering institutional commitment towards their welfare and rehabilitation. He also lauded the UT Administration for launching multiple welfare schemes for Ex-servicemen and undertaking measures to improve their quality of life while upholding their dignity. The address was followed by a grand March Past comprising contingents of NCC boy and girl cadets, Village Defence Committee members and veterans, accompanied by the Ladakh Scouts Regimental Centre military band.
The defining moment of the day was inauguration of the ‘Wall of Fame’, dedicated to honouring the brave hearts and serving as a permanent and solemn reminder of their courage and supreme sacrifice. Additionally, A dedicated Police Helpline for Veterans was launched to provide timely assistance, security related support and grievance redressal, ensuring a more responsive ecosystem for ex-servicemen. As part of the welfare initiatives, assistive aids like electric wheelchairs, mobile scooters and e‑rickshaws were distributed to specially abled veterans to enhance their mobility and quality of life. The gesture underlined the collective resolve to ensure dignity and inclusive growth of senior and specially abled veterans. The Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor presented mementoes to notable Ex-Servicemen & Veer Naris. The event also featured interaction between dignitaries and veterans, providing a platform for candid conversations, experience sharing and feedback on various welfare measures.
In his address, the Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor lauded the bravery, professionalism and sacrifice of the Armed Forces reiterating the UT’s commitment to strengthening veteran centric policies, schemes and institutional mechanisms. He also underscored the significant role of veterans in Nation building, particularly in Jammu and Kashmir.
On the side lines of the Ex-Servicemen Rally, with the cooperation of concerned departments including the Zila Sainik Board, ECHS, PCDA, DPDO, AWPO, DIAV and the Resettlement Department, coordinated efforts were undertaken to resolve grievances of veterans, further reinforcing the administration’s unwavering commitment towards their welfare. A group photograph with the Chief Guest, veterans and key stakeholders captured the spirit of camaraderie, respect and remembrance that defined the culmination of the Veterans’ Day celebrations.cni