Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi felicitated a group of distinguished veterans in Udhampur in recognition of their exceptional contributions to nation-building, social welfare and community empowerment.
The veterans honoured included Lt Col Som Raj Sharma (Retd), Lt Col Balwant Singh (Retd), Honorary Captain Raj Kumar (Retd), Subedar Gyan Singh (Retd), a veteran of the 1965 and 1971 Indo-Pak wars, Naik Charan Singh (Retd), Havildar Bharat Bhushan (Retd) and Honorary Naib Subedar Gulbadan Singh (Retd).
The Army Chief acknowledged the invaluable contributions made by the veterans beyond their years of military service. Through dedicated social work and community engagement, they have played a significant role in improving the lives of ex-servicemen, Veer Naris and local communities across the region.
The veterans have been actively involved in welfare initiatives, including providing assistance in pension-related matters, supporting education and rehabilitation programmes, mentoring youth and contributing to grassroots development projects. Their efforts have helped strengthen the bond between the Armed Forces and society while promoting the welfare of the veteran community.
General Dwivedi also recognised the veterans for their contributions during Operation SINDOOR, where they extended critical support through community outreach and assistance efforts. Several of the honoured veterans have also provided valuable intelligence inputs that facilitated counter-terrorism operations and enhanced security in their respective areas.
In addition, the veterans demonstrated exemplary courage and commitment during natural disasters by participating in rescue and relief operations, providing timely assistance to affected communities and supporting civil administration efforts.
During the interaction, the Army Chief praised the veterans for continuing to embody the values of service, sacrifice and selfless dedication long after hanging up their uniforms. He highlighted their role as an inspiration to younger generations and a testament to the enduring spirit of the Indian Army.
The felicitation ceremony reflected the Indian Army’s deep respect for its veterans and reaffirmed its commitment to honouring those who continue to serve the nation and society through their actions, leadership and unwavering dedication.
