Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami paid homage to martyrs on the occasion of Vijay Diwas by offering a wreath at the Shaheed Memorial in Gandhi Park, Dehradun. He participated in the tribute and honour ceremony and also felicitated soldiers of the 1971 war and families of martyrs. During the programme, the Chief Minister announced that government vehicles would be provided to the Directorate of Sainik Welfare and District Sainik Welfare Offices at Didihat, Herbertpur, Pithoragarh and Haridwar.
Extending Vijay Diwas greetings, the Chief Minister said the day symbolises the bravery, sacrifice and unwavering patriotism of the Indian Army. He stated that the courage and supreme sacrifice of soldiers in the 1971 war safeguarded the nation’s unity and self-respect, a chapter that remains etched in golden letters in history.
He recalled that around 93,000 Pakistani soldiers surrendered before the Indian Army during the 1971 war. From Uttarakhand alone, 248 soldiers laid down their lives, while 74 were honoured with gallantry awards for their exceptional valour. The Chief Minister said Uttarakhand is a land of soldiers, where almost every family has a member serving in the armed forces.
Referring to defence reforms, he said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the morale of soldiers has been strengthened and the armed forces equipped with modern technology and weapons. India has emerged among leading defence exporters, and indigenous weapons have proven their strength during operations, reflecting the country’s growing self-reliance in defence.
The Chief Minister highlighted several welfare measures for soldiers and their families. The ex-gratia amount for martyrs’ dependents has been increased from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 50 lakh. The one-time and annual amounts given to gallantry award recipients have also been significantly enhanced, including an increase of the Param Vir Chakra amount to Rs 1.5 crore. He said a family member of martyrs is being accommodated in government service, and the application period for such appointments has been extended from two to five years.
He added that schemes such as pre-recruitment training, daughter marriage assistance, free travel in government buses for gallantry award winners and ex-servicemen, and stamp duty concessions on property purchases are being implemented. Construction of a grand Sainik Dham at Guniyal village in Dehradun is also underway.
Sainik Welfare Minister Ganesh Joshi said around 4,000 soldiers were martyred in the 1971 war, including 248 from Uttarakhand, and about 9,000 were injured. He said honouring soldiers is a collective responsibility and assured continued efforts by the state and central governments for their welfare.
