Actively Integrating Veterans Into National Security Framework: Army Chief

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.

The Chief of Army Staff 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 Sampark.

"Whether it is strategic brainstorming, wargaming, red-teaming or operational planning, your contributions exceeded expectations," he said, referring to veterans' involvement during Operation Sindoor.

The Army chief also highlighted resettlement and employment efforts, noting that more than 17,000 veterans were provided jobs this year alone through the Army Welfare Placement Organisation, taking the cumulative figure to over 1.5 lakh.

Calling on the veterans to remain actively engaged with society, the Army chief said, "Your experience, skill and dedication will continue to benefit the country in the years ahead." While economic strength shapes a nation's growth, "military strength ultimately forms the foundation of its outcomes", he said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)