GENERAL DALBIR SINGH REACHES OUT TO VETERANS OF KODAGU- AN AREA WHICH BOASTS OF RICH MILITARY TRADITIONS

A mega veterans rally was held at Madikeri on 06 Aug which was attended by General Dalbir Singh, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Bipin Rawat, Southern Army Commander, Lieutenant General Jagbir Singh, General Officer Commanding, Dakshin Bharat Area and other senior military and Government officials.  Over 1800 Veterans and Veer Naris from Kodagu District and neighbouring areas participated in this rally.

During his address to the Veterans, the Chief of Army Staff paid homage to the Martyrs and acknowledged the invaluable contribution of the Veterans towards the organisation and nation building.  He reminded them that it was a matter of pride for the people of Kodagu for having produced two prominent Chiefs of the Indian Army.  The Chief of Army Staff stated that the welfare of Veterans was one of his Key Result Areas.  He alluded that a large number of initiatives have been taken at the highest level to address and improve the welfare schemes. Mrs Namita Suhag, President Central AWWA and Mrs Madhulika Rawat, Regional President AWWA felicitated the Veer Naris. Chief of Army Staff and Mrs Suhag also joined the Veterans and Veer Naris for the ‘Sainik Bhoj’.

After the veterans rally, General Dalbir Singh reached out to a veteran who was scheduled to attend the rally but couldn’t do so due to poor health. The COAS took time off his scheduled programme and undertook an hour and a half long drive to pay a visit to the veteran, General Somanna, to enquire about his wellbeing.

Earlier in the day the General attended Memorial Service and laid Wreath at Field Marshal Cariappa Memorial at Madikeri.  Army Chief along with his wife also paid a visit to Sunny Side, the home of Late General KS Thimayya, DSO for a glimpse of the General’s memoirs.