It was an occasion to reaffirm their camaraderie as soldiers of yester-years. Thousands of exservicemen with their families took part enthusiastically in one of the biggest ex-servicemen rallies at Vellore, the district where about 50,000 former soldiers live.

While inaugurating the rally, Maj Gen A S Jamwal, GOC, ATNKK & G Area said that the aim of the rally was to unite the ex-servicemen as a single force and to make them aware of the schemes implemented by the Army and the Tamil Nadu government for their welfare.

The GOC said that two multi-specialty hospitals had been proposed to be set up at Vellore and Tirunelveli. Opening of exclusive OPD clinics for ex-servicemen in district hospitals had also been suggested to the state government. Sainik rest houses in the vicinity of military hospitals had been opened to facilitate lodging. One Girls Hostel for the wards of ex-servicemen would also start functioning in Chennai. The General Officer also mentioned about the relief being given by the Tamil Nadu government to the next of kin of martyrs.

Maj Gen Jamwal awarded scholarships to 23 needy wards of ex-servicemen for pursuing professional studies and seven dependants of martyrs. A large number of ex-servicemen and members of former soldiers’ families presented petitions to the GOC requesting help to solve their problems.

District Collector, Dr A C Mohan Doss, Brig B K Unnikrishnan and Brig P K Mehta were among those who addressed the rally.

The rally was a signal to soldiers at the front that the Army and the state government would protect their families in the moment of any crisis.