You Are Asset Of Our Nation: Rajnath Singh On Armed Forces Veterans’ Day At Shaurya Sthal

CDS General Chauhan also laid a wreath at the National War Memorial and was joined by Army Chief Gen Manoj Pande, IAF chief Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari and Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar. 

New Delhi: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh Saturday paid tributes to the soldiers who lost their lives in the line of duty on Armed Forces Veterans’ Day Shaurya Sthal War Memorial in Dehradun, reported ANI. Along with Rajnath Singh, Chief of Defence Staff, General Anil Chauhan also paid his tribute. 

Speaking at the event, the Union Minister said, "There's a dedicated dept in Ministry of Defence for welfare of veterans. You're assets of our nation. Pension, medical and other facilities that the country gives you are small ways of showing respect to you. Several steps taken by government for welfare of veteran." 

"When I reach among the bravehearts of the country like you, my head bows with reverence. Visuals of your bravery and sacrifice keep flashing in front of my eyes. You have protected the borders of our country and maintained its unity and integrity," he added. 

CDS General Chauhan also laid a wreath at the National War Memorial and was joined by Army Chief Gen Manoj Pande, IAF chief Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari and Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar. 

To pay homage to the supreme sacrifice and the dedicated service of India's armed forces, Singh will dedicate Shaurya Sthal — developed by the Uttarakhand War Memorial Trust, which unanimously decided to hand over its control to the Indian Army — to the armed forces, defence ministry said in a statement.

The occasion will be celebrated across nine locations this year including — Juhunjhunu, Jalandhar, Panagarh, New Delhi, Dehradun, Chennai, Chandigarh, Bhubaneswar and Mumbai — by the three Service Headquarters.

The event in Chennai will be presided over by the Minister of State for Defence.

During the event, the veterans will be felicitated with medals, souvenirs and recognition certificates, among others. The 'We For Veterans' anthem -- an ode to commemorating the valour and sacrifice of the veterans -- will be played at the events.

Veterans' Day was first celebrated in 2016 and it was decided to commemorate the day every year by hosting such interactive events in honour of the veterans and their families, it said.