Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh is set to lead the 8th Armed Forces Veterans’ Day celebrations on January 14, 2024, with a series of events planned to pay homage to the nation’s veterans. The centerpiece of the commemoration will be an Ex-Servicemen rally at Air Force Station, Kanpur, where the Raksha Mantri will lead the nation in expressing gratitude for the supreme sacrifice and unwavering service rendered by the Bravehearts.
As a poignant tribute to those who laid down their lives in service to the nation, Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh will lay a wreath at the War Memorial during the celebrations. The event holds special significance as it not only honors the veterans but also symbolizes the nation’s acknowledgment of their selfless dedication.
This year, the Armed Forces Veterans’ Day will be celebrated at 10 locations across the country, including Srinagar, Pathankot, Delhi, Alwar, Jodhpur, Guwahati, Mumbai, Secunderabad, and Kochi. The event in Secunderabad will be presided over by Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Ajay Bhatt, while the New Delhi celebration at the Manekshaw Centre will be attended by the Chief of the Air Staff and Chief of the Naval Staff.
A significant expansion of the Veterans’ Day celebrations includes urging Chief Ministers and Lieutenant Governors to mark the day in their respective States and Union Territories. Veterans will be felicitated with medals, souvenirs, and recognition certificates during the events. The celebrations will also feature the rendition of the ‘We for Veterans’ Anthem, paying homage to the veterans through music.
The Armed Forces Veterans’ Day is observed on January 14 every year, marking the retirement of Field Marshal KM Cariappa, the first Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army, in 1953. The day, initiated in 2016, serves as an annual tribute, fostering interaction and gratitude towards Ex-Servicemen for their invaluable contributions to the nation.
