DRDO Extends Heartfelt Salute on Armed Forces Veterans Day – Nationwide Celebrations Led by Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh

Delhi: In a tribute to the unwavering dedication and sacrifices of our Armed Forces veterans, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) commemorates Armed Forces Veterans Day. This day stands as a symbol of gratitude to the valiant heroes who have defended our nation with unparalleled courage and devotion.

Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh will spearhead the nationwide celebrations on January 14, 2024, marking the 8th Armed Forces Veterans’ Day. The focal point of the celebrations will be an Ex-Servicemen rally at Air Force Station, Kanpur. Additionally, Shri Rajnath Singh will lay a wreath at the War Memorial, paying homage to the bravehearts who made the supreme sacrifice in the service of the Nation.

This year’s festivities span across 10 locations, including Srinagar, Pathankot, Delhi, Alwar, Jodhpur, Guwahati, Mumbai, Secunderabad, and Kochi. Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Ajay Bhatt will preside over the event in Secunderabad, while New Delhi’s Manekshaw Centre will witness the participation of the Chief of the Air Staff and Chief of the Naval Staff.

In an effort to enhance the scope of Veterans’ Day celebrations, Chief Ministers and Lieutenant Governors have been urged to observe the day in their respective States and Union Territories. Veterans will be honored during the event with medals, souvenirs, recognition certificates, and more. The celebrations will also feature the rendition of the ‘We for Veterans’ Anthem, a heartfelt tribute to the ex-servicemen.

Armed Forces Veterans’ Day holds significance on January 14 each year, commemorating the formal retirement of Field Marshal KM Cariappa, the first Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army, in 1953. Field Marshal Cariappa played a pivotal role in leading the forces to victory in the 1947 war. The inaugural celebration of Armed Forces Veterans’ Day took place in 2016, and since then, it has become an annual tradition, marked by interactive events to honor and appreciate the invaluable contributions of ex-servicemen.