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CALLING THE Armed Forces veterans human capital key to the goal of developed India, Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi on Tuesday said that Army Commanders have been asked to write and hold discussions with Chief Ministers to decide how veterans can be utilised by the states for development.
The Army Chief was speaking at a programme organised on the occasion of the 9th Armed Forces Veterans’ Day in Pune. “From your contributions during service to your social responsibilities post your retirement, your journeys hold immense importance for us as a nation. Our country is moving rapidly toward its established goal of a developed India. To achieve this goal, the commitment and participation of every citizen is essential. In this scenario, our veterans, as invaluable human capital, can become a key asset in making national efforts more capable and strong.” the Army Chief said, addressing the gathering of veterans.
“If we count 24 lakh registered veterans, seven lakh Veer Naris, 28 lakh registered dependents, 12 lakh serving soldiers, their 24 lakh dependents, and 28 lakh other family members, the total number comes to approximately 1.25 crore. This human capital, full of experience, discipline, and dedication, can be effectively utilised to make a significant contribution to nation-building efforts,” he said.
He further said, “In this approach, efforts are being made to actively engage with state governments. This initiative has two key aspects that need to be advanced parallel to each other. First, how a state can utilise the expertise of veterans in its work, and second, establishing a system of recognition and contribution creating a ‘win-win’ situation for both ex-servicemen and state governments. These discussions have been held on this notion with some Governors, some of whom are veterans themselves soldiers and have supported the core ideas of this initiative.
To this end, all Army Commanders have been asked to write to all Chief Ministers and put forth the strengths of the veterans which the state can effectively benefit from. And when they meet the Chief Ministers take this discussion forward. The success of this initiative depends on how effectively civil functionaries can understand and establish synergy between veterans’ skills and societal needs.”
Armed Forces Veterans’ Day has been organised on January 14 every year since 2017 as a pan-India event under the purview of the Ministry of Defence. The aim of the event is to salute the dedication and sacrifices of tri-Services veterans, both men and women, while standing in solidarity with their families.
The event also serves as a forum to address various issues related to the pension and welfare of veterans and their next of kin. January 14 was chosen to be celebrated as the Veterans’ Day to commemorate the retirement day of Field Marshal K M Cariappa, the first Commander-in-Chief of Army post Independence, after glorious service to the nation.
