DEHRADUN, 13 Jan: A get-together programme was organized by Sainik Welfare Minister Ganesh Joshi on the eve of Bharatiya Sahastra Bal Veterans Day. On this occasion Joshi honored the Gallantry medal holders and veteran soldiers by wearing Shri Ram’s patka and presented a diary of the New Year.
In this get-together organized at the government residence on New Cantt Road, here, many ex-servicemen of the Air Force, Army and Navy shared their experiences while serving the country in the Defence services. Major General Shammi Sabharwal (Retd) sharing his tenure in the Army said that the state government continues to work with full dedication towards the soldiers and their dependents. He expresed his gratitude to Ganesh Joshi for organizing the programme. General Devesh Agnihotri said that the country is paramount for a soldier, “we are proud that we are different,’ he added. 
He opined that all ex-servicemen should keep their dignity intact. Colonel Chhetri said that Minister Joshi, being an ex-serviceman, is always alert and full of respect for the soldiers and ready to solve their problems.
Former Army Commander Lt-General Yogendra Dimri (Retd), who was the Special Guest, said that for the welfare of ex-servicemen, whether it is estate office or canteen, construction of military rest houses or several other works-these are being undertaken and done at a fast pace. He said that there is a need to do something for the veterans living in rural areas too. There is a need to brainstorm on how to reach the basic needs in rural areas through veterans.
As a suggestion to the Minister, Major General KD Singh said that disaster-like incidents are often seen in the state. He suggested creating a welfare and a military fund so that it could be of use to the common people in times of need. On which Joshi announced that an Ex-Servicemen Welfare Fund would be created and gave Rs 5 lakh for the fund.
Ganesh Joshi, while congratulating and wishing all the soldiers of the Indian Army and their families on the 8th Veterans Day, said that Veterans Day started with the first Indian Commander in Chief (C-in-C) of the Indian Army, Field Marshal KM Cariappa, who led the Indian Army to victory in the 1947 war. He said the first Veterans Day was observed on January 14, 2016 and it was decided to celebrate the day every year by hosting such interactive programmes in honour of our Armed Forces ex-servicemen and their families. He said this day is dedicated to ex-servicemen. The Minister emotionally recalled the sacrifices of all those who fought bravely in the sea, in the air and on foreign shores to defend and protect our freedom. The dedication and sacrifice of Indian soldiers is unmatched, he reiterated.
The Minister further said that the soldiers of Uttarakhand have made a very special contribution in the glorious history of the Indian Army. The sons of Uttarakhand have created a popular identity as brave soldiers not only in the country but also among the people of the world. Our soldiers have made a leading contribution in protecting the country’s borders, internal security and dealing with natural disasters. He said that the soldiers of Uttarakhand have immortalized their names in the pages of military history by writing their names with blood. The Minister said that even today the bravery, devotion to duty and patriotism of these soldiers is well known and they are a source of inspiration not only for the state but for the entire country.
Ganesh Joshi said that being an ex-serviceman himself, ‘it is an honor for me to thank you for your service’. He said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, the state government is running various welfare schemes for ex-servicemen and their dependents, in which there has been an unprecedented increase in the grant amount for Gallantry medal holders. The state government has made provision for free travel in state transport buses to Gallantry medal holders. He said that there was a time in this country when these heroes of ours had to struggle even for basic facilities. One had to struggle even for daily needs. The minister said that today the Army is being strengthened under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Today, not only are our soldiers equipped with state-of-the-art weapons and facilities, but their confidence has also been given a boost. He said that today the Army does not wait to respond to the enemy like before, but responds to bullets with shells. He said that if ever there was a Prime Minister that walked among the soldiers, then it is none other than Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It is a matter of pride to be a soldier of the Indian Army. ‘If I had not been an Army soldier, I would not have been a minister either, my background is from the Army,’ he reiterated. The Minister requested all the ex-servicemen that it is important to fulfill our social responsibilities along with our family responsibilities.
On this occasion, Lt-General Yogendra Dimri, Vice Admiral Vinay Badhwar, Major General Shammi Sabharwal, Major General Devesh Agnihotri, Major General Om Prakash Singh Rana, Major General KD Singh, Vice Admiral Anurag Thapliyal, Brigadier KG Behl, Brig JNS Bisht, Col IS Bhandari, Shamsher Bang Bisht, TD Madia, Capt Anand Singh Rana, K Dhaniram Nainwal, Capt Kailash Chandra, Lt Col BM Thapa, Col GS Chandra, Col RS Chhetri, BP Sharma, Col MS Jodha, Capt DK Pradhan, Sukhdev Gurung were present amongst others.
