Lieutenant General Abhijit S Pendharkar, GOC, Spear Corps, felicitating one of the ‘veer naris,’ at the event commemorating the Armed Forces Veterans’ Day in Dimapur on January 16. (Photo Courtesy: Defence PRO Manipur, Nagaland and Southern Arunachal Pradesh)

Morung Express News
Dimapur | January 16
The Indian Army’s Nagaland-based 3 Corps celebrated the Armed Forces Veterans’ Day with veterans on January 16 in Dimapur. Veterans, their families and veer naris (brave women) from Dimapur and adjoining areas attended the celebration, organised at the Walford colony camp, where the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Spear Corps, Lieutenant General Abhijit S Pendharkar, AVSM, YSM, was the chief guest. The 3 Corps is also known as the Spear Corps.
The GOC, Lieutenant General Pendharkar, in his address, acknowledged the commitment and sacrifices of the veterans and their role in nation-building. “The unwavering dedication and service of our veterans have laid the foundation for the strength and security of our nation. This afternoon (event) is our humble way of commemorating their invaluable contributions,” he said.
According to the Defence PRO, Manipur, Nagaland and Southern Arunachal Pradesh, Colonel Amit Shukla, the event witnessed overwhelming response with over 300 veterans, veer naris, serving officers and their families attending. Veer nari is a term for the widow of martyred defence personnel. He added that it provided an opportunity for the ex-servicemen to reconnect with their military roots and share their experiences and concerns. “This year, special emphasis has been given towards the veer naris, the families of the departed soldiers and to thank all the veterans for their sacrifice in the line of duty,” he said.

One of the veterans Naik (retired) YN Lotha, said that the day should serve as an inspiration for the youths of the country to join the armed forces for protecting the country. He served in the army for almost 16 years before retiring in 1990. He was also a national-level footballer, playing in the Eastern Command football team.
According to him, his dream was to become a good person and an army officer for the country. As fate would have it, he said, “I couldn't reach that goal. However, God gave me the destiny to be recruited into the Indian Army (as a soldier).” After retirement, he remained active in veterans’ welfare.
Another veteran, Colonel (retired) Maken, said that there was nothing like a career in the army. He said, “There’s nothing like the army. You are giving yourself to the nation, for your state and for your people. You should all encourage our Naga boys and girls, and the Northeast boys and girls to join the army.”
The 87 year-old said that he was probably the first Naga to command a battalion as a lieutenant colonel back in the early 1980s. He also served as an instructor in the National Defence Academy (NDA). In the academy, he said that many of the cadets he taught went on to become generals and some even Governors after retirement.
According to him, it was his eldest brother, who encouraged him to join the Indian Army during the Chinese incursion of 1962. He was subsequently commissioned in 1963 and went on to be posted in the NDA. Thereafter, he was posted to Arunachal Pradesh, where he commanded the 9th Assam Rifles.
Purnima Singha, the widow of a martyred soldier, Havildar Rajesh Singha, described the day as a moving reminder of her late husband’s sacrifice. The mother of two said that the army cares for its soldiers, veterans and their families.
The Veterans’ Day was established in 2016 to honour the services of India’s first Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Field Marshal KM Cariappa. January 14, the date he retired from service, is commemorated as the Veterans’ Day.