First Armed Forces Veterans Day observed
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, January 14
The first Armed Forces Veterans Day was observed at Chandimandir Military Station today, with a large number of retired armed forces personnel from the tricity and adjoining areas attending the event.
It was decided to commemorate January 14 every year as the Armed Forces Veterans Day as a mark of respect and recognition of the services rendered by Field Marshal KM Cariappa, the first Indian Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army, who retired from service on January 14, 1953.
On the occasion, a solemn wreath laying ceremony was conducted at Veer Smriti war memorial, where wreaths were laid by senior officers of all the three services. Former Army Chief Gen VP Malik also laid a wreath on behalf of all the veterans. Lt Gen IS Ghuman, Chief of Staff, Headquarters Western Command, interacted with veterans and civil dignitaries present on the occasion.
Officers from the civilian administration from Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Chandigarh, who are dealing with veterans’ affairs, gave an insight of various projects being undertaken by the state governments for the welfare of veterans.
Several information kiosks were set up to spread awareness about various ongoing and upcoming projects in the field of job placements, education facilities, resettlement, pension entitlement and other related issues. A medical camp was also organised where a large number of medical specialists and laboratory facilities were made available to the veterans.
