Actively integrating veterans into natl security framework, says Army chief

Jaipur, Jan 14: Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi on Wednesday said the Army was actively integrating its veterans into the country’s security framework and nation-building efforts, while expanding welfare, healthcare and resettlement initiatives for ex-servicemen and their families.
Addressing an event to mark Armed Forces Veterans Day, he said ex-servicemen contributed to India’s security, governance, industry and social development well beyond active service.
“Whenever the nation has called, our veterans have stood firmly with the country under all circumstances,” General Dwivedi said and described it as a reflection of their “deeply ingrained sense of national duty and responsibility”.
Armed Forces Veterans’ Day is celebrated on January 14 every year to recognise the service rendered by the first Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Field Marshal K M Cariappa, who retired on this day in 1953.
Highlighting the Army’s expanding welfare ecosystem, General Dwivedi said that Project NAMAN, launched in August 2024 to provide a dedicated support system for defence pensioners and their families, has reached a major milestone. “On the occasion of this Army Day, the 100th NAMAN centre is being inaugurated,” he said, adding that the aim is to establish nearly 200 such centres by January next year, including in remote locations.
He said the Army views its personnel, veterans and families as one large unit. “I consider the armed forces to be a strong family of nearly 1.25 crore members,” he said, referring to serving soldiers, veterans and dependents.
Stressing the growing contribution of ex-servicemen in strategic planning, he said veterans were being systematically engaged through initiatives such as Shaurya Sampravah. “Whether it is strategic brainstorming, wargaming, red-teaming or operational planning, your contributions exceeded expectations,” he said, referring to veterans’ involvement during Operation Sindoor. (PTI)