In a progressive move towards inclusivity, the Indian Army’s welfare body AWWA has officially rebranded itself as the Army Women’s Welfare Association. Previously known as the Army Wives Welfare Association, the name change marks a significant step in expanding the organisation’s scope and outreach.

Established in 1966 and registered with the Registrar of Societies, Delhi Administration, AWWA has long described itself as the “invisible hand that shapes the punch of the Indian Army.” The renaming, which took effect on April 2, reflects the evolving social fabric of Army families and aims to accommodate a broader demographic beyond just the wives of serving personnel.

A senior Army source, speaking to The Statesman, explained the rationale behind the change:

“Earlier, AWWA was often perceived as a platform only for the wives and daughters of serving Army personnel. The new identity includes spouses and dependents of both serving and retired personnel, as well as veterans and veer naaris (war widows).”

The rebranded AWWA now also extends support to unmarried or divorced daughters, and mothers of unmarried serving or retired personnel—including those who were martyred in action.

The association has already updated its name across social media platforms, including Twitter and Instagram.

According to AWWA’s official website,

“The welfare of troops remains a top priority in the Indian Army. A soldier performs best knowing his family is supported. AWWA’s mission is to complement the Army’s welfare efforts, focusing on the families, children, and widows of all ranks—including retired personnel.”

Recently, AWWA President Sunita Dwivedi, wife of Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi, met with President Droupadi Murmu alongside regional AWWA presidents. During the meeting, President Murmu was briefed on various initiatives supporting veer naaris, widows, veterans, and children with special needs.

Discussions also touched on expanding outreach to women in remote and underserved areas, with regional heads presenting new projects centered on skill development, women’s empowerment, and education.

The Indian Army’s move mirrors a similar step by the Navy in 2022, when the Navy Wives Welfare Association rebranded itself as the Navy Welfare and Wellness Association, further indicating a growing trend toward inclusive and gender-sensitive welfare structures within the Armed Forces.

Lieutenant General Anindya Sengupta, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C) of the Indian Army’s Central Command and Colonel of the Punjab Regiment, visited the Punjab Regiment Centre in Ramgarh to assess the ongoing training, infrastructure, and welfare initiatives for the troops.

The visit, marked by a Special Sainik Sammelan held on April 8, 2025, underscored the Indian Army’s commitment to maintaining high standards of combat preparedness and ensuring the well-being of its soldiers.

During the event, Lt Gen Sengupta emphasized the importance of operational readiness and regimental pride, engaging directly with instructors and young soldiers to reinforce the ethos of professionalism within the Punjab Regiment.

The Punjab Regiment, one of the oldest units of the Indian Army with roots tracing back to 1705, has a storied history of service, including significant contributions to UN peacekeeping missions such as the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), where Lt Gen Sengupta himself commanded an infantry brigade.

The visit featured a series of activities, including a ceremonial guard of honor, a wreath-laying ceremony at a memorial, and a review of training facilities, where soldiers demonstrated their skills at an indoor firing range. Lt Gen Sengupta also interacted with the troops during a community meal, fostering camaraderie and boosting morale among the ranks.

This event aligns with the Indian Army’s broader focus in 2025, declared as the “Year of Defence Reforms” by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. The reforms aim to modernize the armed forces through jointness, technology integration, and enhanced human resource management, ensuring a future-ready army capable of multi-domain operations.

The Punjab Regiment Centre’s efforts in upgrading training infrastructure and prioritizing troop welfare reflect these transformative goals, contributing to the Army’s vision of operational excellence and soldier well-being.

General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) of the Indian Army, conducted a significant visit to the forward posts along the Line of Control (LoC) in North Kashmir on Tuesday to assess the security situation and operational preparedness of the troops stationed in this strategically critical region. The visit underscores the Indian Army’s unwavering commitment to maintaining vigilance in one of the most challenging and sensitive areas of the country.

During his visit, General Dwivedi interacted closely with the soldiers, commending their exceptional dedication and resilience in the face of harsh weather conditions and operational challenges. The snowy, high-altitude terrain of North Kashmir, near the Siachen Glacier—a region that has been a point of contention between India and Pakistan since 1984—poses unique difficulties for the troops stationed there. Despite these adversities, the soldiers have demonstrated remarkable fortitude, which the COAS acknowledged with high praise.

General Dwivedi emphasized the importance of integrating advanced technology into military operations, aligning with the Indian Army’s 2024 theme, “Year of Tech Absorption.” He urged the troops to leverage technologies such as artificial intelligence, cyber capabilities, and quantum systems to enhance operational effectiveness. This focus on technological advancement is part of the Army’s broader “Decade of Transformation,” aimed at modernizing the force to counter both existing and emerging security threats in the region.

The COAS also stressed the need for heightened vigilance along the LoC, a de facto border established after the 1972 Simla Agreement, amid ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan. North Kashmir, with its proximity to the Siachen Glacier and its history of cross-border conflicts, remains a hotspot for security concerns.

General Dwivedi’s visit comes at a time when the Indian Army is actively working to strengthen its operational readiness, especially following recent security challenges in the broader Jammu and Kashmir region, including a deadly encounter in Doda district in July 2024 that claimed the lives of four soldiers.

General Dwivedi, who assumed the role of COAS on June 30, 2024, has been actively engaging with troops across Jammu and Kashmir. This visit follows his earlier trip to the Poonch-Rajouri sector in July 2024, where he reviewed the security situation along the LoC.

His leadership continues to focus on strengthening the Army’s capabilities through technological integration and operational excellence, ensuring that the forces remain prepared to safeguard the nation’s borders in the face of evolving challenges.

The Indian Army, under General Dwivedi’s command, remains steadfast in its mission to protect the sovereignty and integrity of the nation, with the troops in North Kashmir standing as a testament to the Army’s motto of service before self.

General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) of the Indian Army, visited Srinagar on Tuesday to assess the prevailing security situation and operational preparedness of the forces in Jammu and Kashmir. The visit comes amid ongoing security challenges in the region, which remains a critical area due to its proximity to the Line of Control and persistent cross-border tensions.

During his visit, General Dwivedi received a detailed briefing from the General Officer Commanding of the Chinar Corps, also known as the XV Corps, which is headquartered in Srinagar and responsible for military operations in the Kashmir Valley.

The discussions covered a wide range of issues related to the current security scenario, focusing on maintaining high operational standards to counter potential threats. The COAS also interacted with formation commanders, commending all ranks for their unwavering commitment, operational readiness, and professionalism in one of the most challenging terrains in the world.

The visit underscores the Indian Army’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its presence and capabilities in the region, aligning with its broader modernization goals. The Army highlighted its “Year of Tech Absorption” initiative, which began in 2023 and has been extended into 2025, focusing on integrating indigenous technological innovations to enhance operational efficiency.

This initiative is part of the “Decade of Transformation” (2023–2032), a roadmap aimed at modernizing India’s defence capabilities and achieving self-reliance under the Atmanirbhar Bharat campaign.

This visit follows General Dwivedi’s recent emphasis on jointness among the armed forces and adaptability to modern warfare, as highlighted during his address at the Defence Services Staff College in Wellington.

The Indian Army continues to prioritize technological innovation and operational excellence to address evolving security challenges, particularly in strategically sensitive regions like Jammu and Kashmir.