Vajra Corps celebrates 76th Army Day and 8th Tri Services Veterans Day

Jalandhar, January 15, 2024: The Eighth Tri Services Veteran Day was celebrated with Military gaiety and fervor on 15 Jan 2024 along with the 76th Army Day under Vajra Corps at Jalandhar Cantt. The Veteran Day marks the retirement date of the first Indian Army Commander in Chief, Late Field Marshal K M Carriappa who retired on 14 Jan 1953 and the Army Day celebrates his appointment for the post of COAS on 15 Jan 1947 The Veterans Day celebrations were initiated in the year 2017 and since then the event is celebrated by the all three  ervices to pay homage to its veterans who have given the prime of their life in the selfless service to the Nation
 

The event commenced with ceremonial wreath laying at Vajra Shaurya Sthal of Corps Headquarters where Lieutenant General Vijay B Nair, General Officer Commanding of Vajra Corps laid a wreath to pay tributes to the Bravehearts. The wreaths were also laid by veterans representing all three services. A media interaction was also held at the Corps HQ.
 

Later in the day, a veteran's interaction and lunch was held at Vajra Sainik Institute and was attended by a large number of veterans who were also assisted for resolution of their issues by Vajra Sahayta Kendra stalls established at the venue. General Officer Commanding. Vajra Corps addressing the veterans, extended a very warm welcome and conveyed the gratitude of the organisation for their service and assured the veterans of continued support for their well-being.  General Officer Commanding apprised the assembled veterans on the latest initiatives undertaken by the Ministry of Defence and the Service Headquarters to improve & upgrade various welfare schemes benefitting the veterans and their dependants. These include, implementation of OROP 2, active considerations for veterans hospitals pan India including one at Jalandhar to greatly enhance medicare for the veterans. ECHS Polyclinics in Corps zone have been upgraded for better patient management and comfort by utilising almost two crores from various welfare funds in last year as also achieving a medicine satisfaction level of upto 90% due to the enhanced powers for local purchase and improved central supplies. He also apprised the gathering that the migration of defence pensioners on the new pension disbursal system SPARSH is now nearing completion and the 43 veteran Sahayta Kendras in various locations under Western Command are designated as Pension Service Centres for assisting the veterans for a smooth transition.
 

The aspect of women empowerment undertaken by the Defence forces including admission to NDA, enhanced vacancies, command of units, enrolment as Other Ranks and recent initiative of MoD to open dedicated Sainik Schools for Girls are a step in this direction which will benefit our daughters to seek a honourable profession.
 

Various information and assistance stalls were established at the venue by AWPO, ECHS. CSD, Veteran Sahayta Kendras, DPDO & Banks who provided necessary assistance to the veterans. General Officer Commanding, Vajra Corps also distributed job appointment letters to 10 veterans who have been assisted by Army Welfare Placement Organisation for jobs with Indian Railways & Industrial houses in Punjab.
 

A military band in full regalia played martial tunes on the occasion and the event concluded with lunch for the veterans with General Officer Commanding, Vajra Corps and other serving persons.