Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan on Saturday called for a continuing national commitment to the welfare of veterans, Veer Naris and their families during a visit to the Sainya Sampark Mela in Deoghar, Jharkhand.
“Our soldiers have always stood with the nation, and we must always stand with them and their families,” he said.
Organised by the Indian Army in collaboration with the Deoghar District Administration, the “Sadaiv Aapke Saath” mela provided welfare services and grievance redressal facilities to ex-servicemen, Veer Naris and their dependents across the Santhal Pargana region.
Paying tribute to their sacrifices, V-P Radhakrishnan described veterans as an important national resource whose experience could guide young people and whose leadership could contribute to nation-building.
He said every soldier serving at the border was supported by a family that shared the responsibilities and sacrifices of military service, adding that the nation could never forget their contributions.
Recalling his tenure as Governor of Jharkhand, the Vice President highlighted the state’s tradition of military service and sacrifice. He paid tribute to Param Vir Chakra awardee Lance Naik Albert Ekka and recalled tribal freedom fighters Bhagwan Birsa Munda, Tilka Manjhi, Sidhu and Kanhu, and Nilambar and Pitambar.
Their spirit of patriotism and national service continued to inspire the people of Jharkhand, he said.
V-P Radhakrishnan highlighted the fulfilment of the longstanding demand for One Rank, One Pension under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership and referred to welfare initiatives for veterans and Veer Naris.
He praised the mela’s single-window arrangement for pension assistance, medical facilities, documentation services and grievance redressal, describing it as a meaningful example of last-mile delivery.
The participation of the Armed Forces, civil administration, financial institutions, healthcare providers and welfare agencies reflected a shared commitment to serving those who had served the nation, he said.
He urged that “Sadaiv Aapke Saath”, meaning “Always with You”, become a continuing national commitment so veterans and their families always felt respected, supported and cared for.
During the visit, V-P Radhakrishnan toured stalls featuring weapons and military equipment, disaster relief facilities, Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme services, medical screening and blood donation camps, women’s health awareness initiatives, NCC activities and pension services.
He also interacted with veterans, beneficiaries and other attendees.
The Vice President congratulated the Army and district administration for organising the initiative, appreciated the efforts of MP Nishikant Dubey and thanked participating institutions for supporting the Armed Forces community.
Jharkhand Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Prataprao Jadhav, MPs Nishikant Dubey and Aditya Sahu, General Officer Commanding of 111 Area Lt Gen Pawan Chadha, and Baba Baidyanath Medical Trust Chairperson Anamika Gautam attended the event, along with senior Army officers, civil administration officials, veterans, Veer Naris and their families.
