New Delhi, Jan 14 (PTI) The Indian armed forces have reworked with altering occasions to fulfill the challenges of the “total spectrum of warfare,” IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal V R Chaudhari mentioned on Sunday.
In his tackle at an occasion hosted right here to mark the eighth Armed Forces Veterans Day, he additionally asserted that resilient spirit, management, and imaginative and prescient of its veterans have laid the muse of at this time’s armed forces.
The programme held at Manekshaw Centre in Delhi Cantonment was additionally attended by Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar, a number of senior officers of the three providers, numerous veterans or their members of the family.
“The Indian armed forces, we are going to all agree, are one of many most interesting on this planet and have reworked with altering occasions to fulfill the challenges of your entire spectrum of warfare,” the IAF chief mentioned.
The Indian Air Drive, particularly, has grown from a really modest starting nearly 90 years in the past to being “one of the vital formidable air forces on this planet”, he mentioned.
This has been doable solely by means of the “sustained efforts and yeoman providers” rendered by the forces’ veterans over time, Air Chief Marshal Chaudhari added.
“I acknowledge with gratitude the sterling contributions made by all our veterans, whose resilient spirit, management and imaginative and prescient have laid the muse of at this time’s armed forces,” he mentioned.
In the present day can be a day to poignantly keep in mind all of the veterans who laid down their lives for the nation, the IAF chief mentioned, including, “Our ideas and prayers are with the households of those that made the supreme sacrifice within the line of obligation.” The IAF, the youngest of the providers, is barely 91 years outdated. And, as of December 31, 2023, “we now have on file, 2,21,204 veterans,” he mentioned.
The IAF chief shared that it has been a diligent effort to succeed in out to each veteran.
“I’m conscious there are teething points, we’re taking over these points continually with the service suppliers and the Controller Common of Defence Accounts,” he mentioned.
In his tackle, Air Chief Marshal Chaudhari additionally shared some information concerning SPARSH and different initiatives.
The System for Pension Administration (Raksha) or SPARSH is a web-based system for processing pension claims and crediting the pension immediately into financial institution accounts of defence pensioners with none exterior middleman.
“Within the yr passed by, 1.85 lakh legacy pensioners have been migrated onto SPARSH,” the IAF chief mentioned.
The Navy chief, in his tackle, underlined the contribution made by the veterans to the armed forces.
“I can say with conviction that our armed forces of at this time are a product of the visionary management, unflinching efforts and selfless service of our veterans. I want to guarantee each one in all you that we’ll depart no water uncharted in carrying ahead this legacy,” Admiral Kumar mentioned.
So, in the direction of that finish, the Navy’s efforts have been centered on being a combat-ready, credible, cohesive and future-proof pressure, he mentioned.
“Whereas pursuing our many operational commitments, the Bharatiya Nav Sena stays dedicated to making sure the welfare of our ex-servicemen,” the Navy chief added.
The Navy has been following a multi-pronged strategy of proactive outreach, optimistic interplay, and protracted communication to deal with numerous points confronted by our veteran group, Admiral Kumar mentioned.
He famous that the outreach programme has been expanded.
“We’re conscious that the serving Navy is a transit Navy, whereas the veteran Navy is a everlasting Navy, that’s the place lastly all of us will attain,” the Navy chief mentioned.
The Indian Navy is privileged to have the persevering with good thing about “your expertise and knowledge”, and it seems ahead to “your invaluable steerage, unstinted assist and forthright options to assist us higher tackle points confronted by each the providers in addition to the veteran group,” he added.
Wreath-laying ceremonies and veterans’ rallies have been being organised in Srinagar, Pathankot, Delhi, Kanpur, Alwar, Jodhpur, Guwahati, Mumbai, Secunderabad, Kochi and a number of other different locations to mark the day, the Defence Ministry mentioned in an announcement later within the day.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh led the celebrations by addressing a veterans’ rally on the Air Drive Station in Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh, it mentioned.
Round 1,000 ex-servicemen attended the occasion. He interacted with them and expressed heartfelt gratitude to them for his or her self-less service to the motherland.
Singh emphasised that the veterans maintain a particular place within the coronary heart of each Indian.
‘We for Veterans’ anthem was performed at numerous public locations as an ode to the veteran group, the assertion mentioned.
The celebrations additionally witnessed the discharge of maiden ‘SAGAR SAMVAD’ journal, a yearly journal revealed by the Directorate of Ex-Servicemen Affairs of the Indian Navy protecting info, insurance policies and numerous subjects of curiosity for the veterans.
The Indian Air Drive and the Indian Military additionally launched the ‘VAYU SAMVEDNA’ and ‘SAMMAN’ magazines respectively, it added.
Armed Forces Veterans’ Day is widely known on January 14 yearly to recognise the service rendered by the primary Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Subject Marshal Okay M Cariappa, who retired on this present day in 1953.
The day was first celebrated in 2016 and it’s commemorated yearly for the reason that. by internet hosting such interactive occasions within the honour of the ex-servicemen, the assertion mentioned. PTI KND SMN
Disclaimer: This report has been revealed as a part of an auto-generated syndicated wire feed. Apart from the headline, the content material has not been modified or edited by ABP LIVE