Defence Minister Rajnath Singh today said veterans of the armed forces are the living pillars of national consciousness, symbols of collective courage, and sources of inspiration for future generations.

 

 

Addressing the Armed Forces Veterans’ Day in New Delhi, the Minister said that the veterans contribute to every front of nation-building and guide the society with their qualities such as discipline, leadership, and courage. Mr Singh stressed that the colour of the uniform and place of work for veterans may change, but the feeling of patriotism and service remains the same.

 

 

Mr Singh urged the veterans to guide the youth through their experiences and provide the right direction to Agniveers and young soldiers. He also urged them to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the civil administration in emergencies when needed.

 

 

The Defence Minister underlined that the participation of veterans in the fields of education, skill development, and disaster management, among others, can leave a positive and lasting impact on future generations.

 

 

Mr Singh reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring that the lives of veterans are filled with dignity, equipped with security, and brimming with self-satisfaction. Underlining the importance of health facilities for veterans, the Minister said that the government is continuously strengthening the Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme. He added that the long-standing demand for One Rank One Pension has been fulfilled by the government.

 

 

 

On the occasion, Mr Singh remembered the brave ex-servicemen who were part of Operation Pawan, launched in Sri Lanka for peacekeeping purposes as part of the Indian Peacekeeping Force nearly 40 years ago. He said that during the operation, Indian forces displayed extraordinary courage, but their valour, sacrifices and struggles did not receive the respect they deserved. He highlighted that today, under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, the central government is openly acknowledging the contributions of the peacekeeping soldiers who participated in Operation Pawan and is also in the process of recognising their contributions at every level.