Indian army honours veterans by organising mega rally
Indian army honours veterans by organising mega rally
Indian army organised a mega rally for the Ex-Servicemen of the armed forces and Assam Rifles for the state of Nagaland and Karbi Anglong district of Assam at the Bhagat Stadium in Rangapahar Military Station, Dimapur
Neiphiu Rio and Lt. Gen. Abhijit S Pendharkar with an
Ex-Servicemen during the mega rally at Rangapahar Military Station in Dimapur
on Wednesday.
DIMAPUR — In
continuation of its dedicated effort to connect with the Ex-Servicemen (ESM)
fraternity, Spear Corps of the Indian army organised a mega rally for the
Ex-Servicemen of the armed forces and Assam Rifles for the state of Nagaland
and Karbi Anglong district of Assam at the Bhagat Stadium in Rangapahar
Military Station, Dimapur, on Wednesday.
A defence release stated that the event witnessed an
enthusiastic and overwhelming participation of over 1300 Ex-Servicemen, Veer
Naris (war widows), war veterans, and their family members. Among them, 16 Veer
Naris, 4 Veer Matas (mothers), and 33 war veterans including distinguished
participants of the 1962 Indo-China War, 1971 Indo-Pak war and 1999 Kargil War
were present, who actively engaged with officials and shared their invaluable experiences.
Nagaland Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio, who was the chief
guest, and Lt. Gen. Abhijit S Pendharkar, GOC of Spear Corps, were felicitated
dignitaries from the civil administration, Army and Assam Rifles.
The event provided an opportunity for the ex-servicemen to
reconnect with their military roots and share their experiences and concerns.
It stated that Veer Naris, war veterans and widows were
honoured by the dignitaries for their sacrifice and selfless service to the
nation.
Besides, comprehensive medical facilities including ENT,
orthopaedic, eye specialists and dentists were made available at the rally with
doctors and paramedical staff of the Army, Assam Rifles and district hospital
providing consultations and medicines to the attendees. Special medical
devices, wheelchairs, walking sticks and hearing aids were also distributed to
needy Ex-Servicemen, Veer Naris, and war widows.
It informed that the rally was organised to provide the ESM
community with all the necessary information on various government policies and
welfare schemes while also making an effort to resolve their grievances related
to pensions and various welfare schemes.
During interaction, the chief minister acknowledged the
sacrifices and unwavering commitment of veterans and expressed heartfelt
gratitude for their pivotal role in nation-building.
Veer Naris, war veterans, gallantry award winners and
specially abled personnel were felicitated by the chief minister of Nagaland
and Spear Corps commander as tokens of appreciation for their relentless
service and sacrifice for the nation.
To facilitate addressing pension-related issues and other
queries, senior representatives from the Naga and Assam Regiment record offices
along with officials from 20 other record offices were present.
The Army Recruitment Office, Dimapur, provided information
on upcoming recruitment opportunities and policy updates.
Five lawyers from the State Legal Department offered
guidance on legal matters, while representatives from five banks and insurance
companies advised on matters of financial planning to the Ex-Servicemen.
The director Rajya Sainik Board, Captain (Indian Navy) L
Tonsing, in his address, lamented that although there are various schemes
available for ESM, many are not availing them.
Citing instances of schemes like financial assistance for
children and widows of ESM, which are not being availed by many although the
numbers of beneficiaries are increasing through awareness, he pointed out that
it only proved that the ESM are not aware or interested.
The Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) is
another scheme and its facility is not being availed. Sparsh, an initiative of
the Ministry of Defense, aimed at providing comprehensive solution is not being
availed by many, he pointed out.
Tonsing informed that Nagaland government has 5% reservation
in government departments for ESM. In this regard, he requested the chief
minister to give preference to the ESM in government jobs.
Dedicated information kiosks and grievances redressal
counters installed by various record offices, principal controller of defence
accounts (pension), SPARSH, Rajya Sainik Board (RSB), Army Recruitment Office
(ARO), Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS), banks, insurance
companies, Nagaland Legal department and District Hospital served the veterans
by providing information on various government policies and welfare programmes.
Meanwhile, the veterans have expressed gratitude for
organising the event.
