Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh paid tribute to the ex-servicemen of the country on Sunday. He participated in the eighth Armed Forces Veterans' Day celebrations at the Air Force Station in Uttar Pradesh's Kanpur. During the celebrations, Singh acknowledged the nation's reverence towards soldiers. While addressing the event, he said, "Today is Veteran's Day. Even today when I am present among you all, I feel the gratitude that the citizens of this country have towards their soldiers."
News agency ANI quoted Singh as saying, "Every citizen of this country, no matter which region he/she belongs to has a special affection towards our soldiers. Therefore, today on the occasion of Veteran's Day, on behalf of a grateful nation, I salute all our ex-servicemen for their service to the country."
He highlighted the historical significance of Kanpur in the category of military and said, "It is no less than a coincidence that we have gathered at a place like Kanpur to honour our veterans. Kanpur has its importance in the category of military history of this country," ANI reported.
He added, "When India's freedom struggle began in 1857, Peshwa Nanasaheb led the rebellion from Bithoor in Kanpur. Lakshmi Sehgal ji was the first woman captain of the Indian National Army formed by Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose during the freedom struggle. She also had a close relationship with Kanpur. She even spent the last moments of her life in Kanpur."
According to an ANI report, in order to scale up Veterans' Day, the Chief Ministers/Lieutenant Governors have been urged to celebrate the day in their respective States/Union Territories.
Each year, Armed Forces Veterans' Day is celebrated on January 14. On January 14, 1953, the first Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army Field Marshal KM Cariappa, who led the Indian defence forces to victory in the 1947 war, formally retired from the Service.
Armed Forces Veterans' Day was first celebrated in 2016 and it is commemorated every year since by hosting such interactive events in honour of the Ex-Servicemen.