Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi felicitated five distinguished veterans during his visit to Lucknow, recognising their exceptional contributions to nation-building, social welfare, veteran support and community empowerment. The felicitation was held under the Veteran Achievers Award initiative, which honours former members of the Armed Forces who continue to serve society with the same dedication, discipline and commitment that marked their military careers.
The Veteran Achievers Award highlights the enduring spirit of service among ex-servicemen, who remain deeply connected with the welfare of the nation even after retirement. The awardees felicitated by the COAS have made notable contributions in areas such as healthcare, education, veteran welfare, employment generation, legal assistance and social upliftment.
Brigadier Vinod Kumar Baranwal (Retd) was recognised for his continued contribution in the field of healthcare, especially ophthalmic care. Drawing upon his vast military and medical experience, he has been providing ethical, affordable and patient-centric eye care to the veterans fraternity. His work has helped many former soldiers and their families access quality medical support with dignity and trust.
Colonel M M Ghosh (Retd) was honoured for his dedicated efforts towards the upliftment of people in his native place. After retirement, he remained actively involved in social welfare and community support. He has distributed free food and medicines, school uniforms and stationery to more than 1,000 students. In addition, he has regularly organised free medical check-ups for the needy, ensuring that basic healthcare support reaches those who require it the most.
Lieutenant Colonel Krishna Chandra Mishra (Retd) was felicitated for his contribution to veteran welfare and youth empowerment. He has dedicated himself to social service in Basti District, Uttar Pradesh, where he continues to work for the betterment of ex-servicemen, their families and young people. His efforts reflect the Army’s ethos of service before self and underline the important role veterans play in strengthening society at the grassroots level.
Subedar Major Raghu Raj Singh was recognised for his active involvement in ex-servicemen welfare, particularly in the areas of re-employment, resettlement and resolution of land-related issues. His initiatives have had a major impact on the lives of retired personnel seeking meaningful employment after military service. He has been instrumental in generating employment for more than 800 ex-servicemen in Indian Railways and more than 300 ex-servicemen in the Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation.
Sergeant Mahendra Kumar Singh was felicitated for his legal service to war widows, Veer Naris and their dependents. After retirement, he began independent legal practice in Lucknow and devoted himself to supporting families of soldiers by providing legal assistance. His work has helped many beneficiaries navigate legal challenges and access their rightful entitlements.
The felicitation by the COAS served as a tribute to the continuing contribution of veterans in different fields of public life. It also reinforced the Indian Army’s deep respect for its retired personnel and its commitment to recognising those who continue to uphold the values of service, sacrifice and nation-first commitment.
The stories of these five veterans reflect the idea that service to the nation does not end with retirement. Whether through medical care, education, social welfare, employment support or legal assistance, each of them has continued to make a meaningful difference in the lives of citizens, veterans and families of soldiers.
The occasion also highlighted the broader role of the veteran community in building a stronger and more united India. Their efforts demonstrate how the discipline, leadership and compassion developed during military service can be channelled into powerful contributions to society.
Speaking through the spirit of the initiative, the message of the Veteran Achievers Award was clear: “Service is a lifelong journey — building a stronger, united India.”
