Dalbir Singh inaugurates the Directorate of Indian Army Veterans at Delhi Cantt

The directorate shall provide a wide range of veteran care and support services, as also a single point of contact, or redress, to the veterans, widows and wards residing across the country.

The inauguration of the new directorate under the Adjutant General Branch coincides with the first ever celebration of Veterans Day in the Indian Army.

The day marks the relinquishment of active service by India’s two most well known military leaders, Field Marshal KM Cariappa, OBE and Field Marshal SHFJ Manekshaw, MC in year 1953 and 1973 respectively.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief of the Army Staff stressed the need to strengthen the institutional framework for veteran care and support in the Indian Army.

He remarked that the raising of the Directorate of Indian Army Veterans (DIAV) marks the first step towards creating a coherent veteran care and support structure in India.

He further stated that there is more that needs to be done at the last mile, which will follow consequent to the raising of the new directorate.

To mark the occasion, the COAS released the inaugural issue of SAMMAAN magazine, which is focussed on the role of veterans in nation building.

Several well known military and civil writers have contributed with their views and opinions on this important topic. The event also witnessed the launch of Phase 2 and 3 of the Indian Army Veterans Web Portal.

The ceremony was attended by the former Chiefs, a large number of senior serving and retired officers, widows and disabled soldiers and members of the wider veteran fraternity.