Pune

Air Force Station Pune on Tuesday hosted the 10th edition of Defence Forces Veterans Day, commemorating the legacy of Late Field Marshal KM Cariappa, India’s first Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army, who retired on this day in 1953.

The event brought together around 5,000 veterans from the Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force, along with serving personnel and family members, to collectively honour the service and sacrifices of the nation’s armed forces.

The commemorations began with a solemn wreath-laying ceremony to pay tribute to soldiers who laid down their lives in the service of the nation.

Maharashtra Higher and Technical Education Minister Chandrakant Patil attended the event as the Chief Guest. Senior military leaders present included Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth, PVSM, AVSM, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Command; Vice Admiral Anil Jaggi, Commandant, National Defence Academy; Air Vice Marshal Gurjot Singh Bhullar, Senior Officer-in-Charge Administration, South Western Air Command; and Air Commodore Satbir Singh Rai, Air Officer Commanding, Air Force Station Pune, along with other senior officers from the three services.

Addressing the gathering, the Chief Guest lauded the dedication, discipline and sacrifices of veterans and assured continued institutional support for their welfare. Senior military leaders highlighted key welfare initiatives for ex-servicemen and their families and expressed gratitude for their selfless service to the nation.

A key focus of the Veterans Day celebrations was to enhance awareness among veterans and their dependents regarding pensions, grievance redressal, financial assistance, the Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) and other welfare programmes. Interactive sessions allowed veterans to raise concerns and offer suggestions, while officials from the Directorate of Air Veterans (DAV), Principal Controller of Defence Accounts (PCDA) and Zila Sainik Kalyan Board conducted detailed briefings.

The Indian Army’s Southern Command highlighted its tri-service efforts to strengthen veteran welfare through improved healthcare access, grievance resolution, documentation facilitation, ECHS outreach, welfare camps, assisted life certificate renewal, and support for widows and elderly veterans.

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The event concluded with a reaffirmation of the authorities’ commitment to strengthening outreach mechanisms and ensuring that veterans and their families receive the respect, care and support they deserve.