Chief of the Army Staff General Dhiraj Seth felicitated three distinguished veterans with the Yoddha Seva Samman during the Retiring Officers Seminar held in the national capital. The honour, instituted under the guiding ethos of “Honour Through Action, Vijay Through Service,” recognises the enduring spirit of service that continues long after a soldier hangs up the uniform.
Keywords: Yoddha Seva Samman, General Dhiraj Seth, COAS, Indian Army veterans, Retiring Officers Seminar
The recipients were selected for their sustained contributions to veterans’ welfare, community uplift and youth empowerment. Lt Col BMS Bains (Retd) has devoted himself to the welfare of veterans and their families in Hoshiarpur and surrounding regions of Punjab. He has assisted more than 70,000 veterans and their dependents with pension and legal matters while facilitating access to the Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) for over 52,000 pre-ECHS retirees. Parallel to this, he supports social welfare initiatives for underprivileged and specially-abled children.
Naib Subedar Khagen Chandra Das (Retd) has focused his efforts on remote areas of Tamulpur, Assam, personally reaching out to over 250 isolated veterans and Veer Naris. His work has strengthened institutional linkages for a community of more than 270 veterans, restoring dignity, confidence and a sense of camaraderie among those living far from established support systems.
Havildar Anup Kumar Mahato (Retd) has channelled his energy into empowering underprivileged youth across West Bengal and Jharkhand. Through the Purulia Aim Physical Institute (PAPI), established in 2019, he provides free physical training and guidance to aspirants preparing for the Armed Forces and other competitive examinations, enabling deserving young people to pursue careers and improve their life prospects.
The Yoddha Seva Samman underscores the Indian Army’s recognition that a soldier’s commitment to the nation does not end with retirement. By honouring these veterans, the Army reaffirms its bond with the larger veteran fraternity and highlights the transformative role they continue to play in society. The ceremony served as a reminder that the values of discipline, selflessness and service remain the bedrock of both military life and civilian contribution.
contact: drrajeshjauhri@gmail.com
Dr Rajesh Jauhri is a Journalist with an experience of over 25 years in Indian and foreign media, a Social Scientist, an Ac-complished Author, a Political & Strategic Analyst, a Marksman (Rifle & Pistol), an Orator, a Thinker and an Educationist. He holds a Ph.D. degree on “Impact of colonial heritage on Indian police”. He runs an NGO dedicated to the social and eco-nomic uplift of tribal communities in MP and two decades back, he established a school in a village of Indore district, providing education and moral values to children belonging to underprivileged and minority families. Has received multiple awards in various fields.
