Our Correspondent
Kohima, Nov. 10 (EMN): Major General Vikas Lakhera, SM, Inspector General of Assam Rifles (IGAR) (N), on Thursday, asserted that there was not a single empanelled hospital for Army veterans in Nagaland, and consequently they were at the receiving end due to the lack of medical facilities.
However, despite the challenges, Lakhera asked the retired personnel to reach out to the companies and battalions so that their needs could be mitigated.
He was speaking during the Joint Assam Rifles Army ESM Rally 2022 held on the theme: “We Share, We Care” at HQ Inspector General Assam Rifles (IGAR) North (N) in Kohima.
He observed that many former military men had come from different parts of Nagaland.
While thanking them for their services rendered to the nation, he assured to cater to their needs and asked the veterans to reach out with problems they might have.
Meanwhile, since the last ex-service rally was held from 2019, he informed that they couldn’t organise the same owing to the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, he announced that a similar rally would be conducted at Rangapahar in Dimapur next year.
Quoting a famous saying: “Once a soldier always a soldier,” he reminded the retired personnel that they would always remain a soldier since their ‘uniform has been their skin’ while they were serving in the Army.
He reminded that “soldiers never forget soldiers” and they serve each other because they “are a band of brothers” and part of the family of the greater Indian Armed forces.
On the day, the officer said that they recognised the sacrifices made by the former Army men to the nation which would “not be forgotten”.
“We are bound by blood,” he said.
Acknowledging the state government for sending in various departments to be part of the event, he further prayed for good health and long life of the ex-servicemen and their close ones.
According to the Press Information Bureau, Defence Wing, approximately 700 veterans and veer naris or widows of Army, Navy, Air Force and Assam Rifles from all districts of Nagaland attended the rally.