By OUR STAFF REPORTER
Dehradun, 26 Nov: Soldiers’ Welfare Minister Ganesh Joshi participated as the Chief Guest at the two-day annual conference of the All India Gorkha Ex-Servicemen Welfare Association (AGYUWA) at the Multipurpose Hall in Vijaypur, Hathibarkala. The 76th annual conference had delegates from several states, including Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, West Bengal, Meghalaya, and others. They warmly welcomed and felicitated Minister Ganesh Joshi.
The Minister also inaugurated the construction of a tin shed from his legislative fund for the association. While welcoming the delegates from various states, he congratulated the association on its 76th annual conference and extended his best wishes. Minister Joshi recalled that AGYUWA was established in 1950, and over the past 74 years, the association has made significant contributions to the welfare of Gorkha ex-servicemen. He emphasised the crucial role played by the Gorkha community in the Indian Army and acknowledged the love and respect he had received from them.
The Minister noted that Gorkha Regiment soldiers have displayed exceptional bravery in every war, on every front. He praised the community for its contribution to national security and the state’s development. Minister Joshi assured that the state government is committed to the welfare and uplift of the Gorkha community and is continually working towards its development.
The delegates at the conference also highly appreciated the various welfare schemes being implemented by the state government for ex-servicemen and their dependants. Two-minutes silence was observed during the event to pay tribute to the brave soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice during the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.
Prior to the programme, the guests paid floral tributes to Ari Bahadur Gurung, a member of the Constitution Drafting Committee, in remembrance.
The All India Gorkha Ex-Servicemen Welfare Association (AGYUWA) based in Dehradun is the only such organisation recognized by the Union Ministry of Defence. Established on 26 November 1950 under the guidance of the Ministry of Defence, it aims to uplift the Gorkha community and improve the lives of Gorkha ex-servicemen. For over 72 years, the organisation has been working across various states to improve the lives of thousands of ex-servicemen and their families. The first president of the organisation was Aadi Bahadur Gurung, the first Lok Sabha member from the Gorkha community.
The primary objective of the association is to assist in the economic, social, and educational uplift of Gorkha ex-servicemen, their children, widows, and dependants, providing them with the support needed to become self-reliant. The AGYUWA acts not only as an advisory body to its affiliated branches but also serves as a bridge between the regional Gorkha ex-servicemen organisations and the central military board, Ministry of Defence. It was also a member of the World Veterans Federation, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) formed at the conclusion of World War II.
Present at the event were President Colonel RS Chhetri (Retd), Vice Presidents (Eastern Region) SP Pradhan, (Western Region) AL VK Gurung, General Secretary AKDK Pradhan (Retd.), along with delegates from various states.
