By Our Staff Reporter
Dehradun, 14 Aug: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami participated in the gallantry award ceremony of the Indian Army at RIMC Auditorium, here today under the aegis of Headquarters Uttarakhand Sub Area.
General Officer Commanding, Uttarakhand Sub Area, Major-General Sanjeev Khatri welcomed the Chief Guest and all the attendees.
On this occasion, the Chief Minister honoured soldiers, retired soldiers and veterans who received various medals. In all, 47 people were honoured today including 21 serving soldiers, 20 retired soldiers and 6 veterans.



Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that he was feeling proud to be honouring the brave soldiers and brave women of this nation. Saluting all the soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the unity and integrity of the country, he said that everyone in the country was safe because of the brave soldiers of India. The Chief Minister said that whenever he got an opportunity to participate in any of the programmes of the Army, he was reminded of his childhood and that it was always an emotional moment for him as he himself was a soldier’s son. Along with the valour of the soldiers, he had closely observed the daily struggle of his family members. Despite a lot of struggle in the life of a soldier, a soldier always does his work with perseverance, Dhami observed. He said that the Indian Army had always shown indomitable courage and valour. There is a long history of valour and courage of the army. He also noted that along with being Devbhoomi, Uttarakhand was also a Veerbhoomi, or land of the brave. Every family from Uttarakhand had a military connection and that it was difficult to describe in words the contribution made by the soldiers and military families of Uttarakhand.
The Chief Minister said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had always worked to boost the morale of the Army. On every festive occasion be it Holi or Deepawali , he liked to be amongst the armymen and celebrate the festival with them. Congratulating all the soldiers and brave hearts who were honoured, Cabinet Minister Ganesh Joshi said that it was because of the soldiers that the common man could sleep peacefully. He added that in honour of soldiers, Sainik Samman Yatra would be taken out in the state in September. The soil of the courtyard of every martyr soldier of the state would be brought to Sainyadham. He added that many schemes were being run by the state government for the welfare of soldiers.
Commandant, Indian Military Academy, Lt-General Harinder Singh, senior army officers and serving and ex-servicemen and veterans were present on the occasion.
This event organised at Dehradun after a long time will ensure boosting the image of the Armed Forces personnel of Uttarakhand. The Ceremony gave a feeling to belongingness to the brave Veterans and the Veer Naris which is in line with the rich traditions of the Indian Army and Uttarakhand State to look after the welfare and well being of our Veterans.