Jaipur: Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Dhiraj Seth felicitated four distinguished veterans with the Yoddha Seva Samman (YSS) during his visit to Jaipur, recognising their exemplary contributions to society after retirement from military service.
The four veterans were honoured for continuing to embody the spirit of service beyond their years in uniform through work in areas including youth empowerment, veteran welfare, education, community service, sports and environmental conservation.
Colonel Rakesh Mishra (Retired) was recognised for his sustained contribution towards youth empowerment and leadership development. Following his retirement from the Army, the veteran has continued working with young people, helping develop qualities of leadership and encouraging them to contribute positively to society.
Naib Subedar Atma Singh (Retired) received the Yoddha Seva Samman for his sustained mentorship and involvement in Veterans Outreach Programmes. His work has helped maintain an important connection between ex-servicemen, the Indian Army and the civil administration.
Through continued engagement with the veteran community, Nb Sub Atma Singh has served as a dependable bridge for former soldiers, helping strengthen communication and coordination with institutions responsible for addressing their requirements.
Havildar/Clerk Jetaram (Retired) was honoured for his remarkable efforts in assisting the families of deceased personnel, particularly those living in remote areas.
The veteran has helped more than 2,700 Next of Kin (NOKs) claim their pension-related entitlements, making his contribution particularly significant for families who may otherwise face difficulties navigating administrative procedures or accessing assistance from distant locations.
Pension and entitlement matters can involve extensive documentation and interaction with multiple authorities. Such processes can become particularly challenging for elderly dependants, widows and families living in rural or geographically isolated regions.
By assisting more than 2,700 NOKs, Hav/Clk Jetaram has continued serving the military community long after completing his own active service. His efforts demonstrate how the knowledge and experience acquired during a military career can be used to support veterans and their families at the grassroots level.
Dafadar Kuldeep Singh (Retired) was felicitated for his contributions across multiple areas, including youth empowerment, sports and environmental conservation.
His post-retirement activities reflect a broader approach to community service, combining efforts to guide younger generations with initiatives promoting sporting activity and responsibility towards the environment.
The recognition of the four veterans highlights the idea that military service does not necessarily end when a soldier retires from active duty. Many former servicemen continue contributing to their communities using the leadership, organisational abilities, discipline and experience developed during their careers in the Armed Forces.
The Yoddha Seva Samman provides recognition to veterans whose post-retirement work continues to make a meaningful difference to military families and wider society.
The initiative also draws attention to contributions that can otherwise remain largely unnoticed, particularly grassroots work undertaken by veterans in remote communities.
General Dhiraj Seth’s felicitation of the veterans in Jaipur highlighted different forms that continued national service can take after retirement. While one veteran focused on developing future generations, another strengthened connections within the ex-servicemen community, while others worked to secure entitlements for military families and promote sports and environmental conservation.
Among the recognised contributions, the assistance provided to more than 2,700 NOKs demonstrates the potentially significant impact of veteran-led outreach. Ensuring that eligible families receive pension-related benefits is an important element of the Armed Forces’ wider commitment to the welfare of those who have served and their dependants.
Similarly, mentorship and youth engagement by retired military personnel can provide younger generations with access to decades of leadership experience and practical guidance.
The felicitation ceremony in Jaipur therefore celebrated not only the individual achievements of Col Rakesh Mishra, Nb Sub Atma Singh, Hav/Clk Jetaram and Dfr Kuldeep Singh, but also the wider tradition of veterans continuing to serve society after hanging up their uniforms.
Their work across veteran welfare, youth development, community service, sports and environmental conservation reflects the message behind the recognition — “Honour Through Action, Vijay Through Service.”
For these four veterans, retirement marked the end of active military duty, but not the end of their commitment to service.
