The Indian Army hosted the Veteran Achievers Award 2025 in Prayagraj, celebrating the lifelong contributions of its veterans. General Upendra Dwivedi, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), presented the prestigious awards to four outstanding veterans who have made significant impacts in their communities beyond their military careers.
Under the theme “Veteran Achievers Award 2025: Honouring Service, Inspiring Excellence,” the event gathered veterans, active military personnel, and civilians to honor the distinguished awardees. A prominent display reading “पूर्व सैनिक सम्मान समारोह” (Veteran Honour Ceremony) alongside the Indian Army emblem highlighted the pride and dignity associated with military service, creating a respectful atmosphere for the occasion.
The recipients of the awards have excelled in various social initiatives, including providing shelter and education for orphans and underprivileged girls, offering pro bono legal support to both military personnel and civilians, and aiding vulnerable groups such as slum children, the elderly, and individuals with disabilities. Many honorees have also focused on motivating the youth to consider careers in the armed forces, actively participating in veterans’ welfare programs to enhance the lives of fellow ex-service members.
In his speech, General Dwivedi praised the awardees for exemplifying the Army’s ethos of lifelong service. He referred to them as role models who continue to contribute positively to society, acting as a vital link between military and civilian sectors. He also framed their contributions within the greater aspiration of Viksit Bharat 2047, which envisions a developed and inclusive India through sustainable progress.
The ceremony included a group photograph with the awardees, General Dwivedi, and senior officials, followed by an interactive session with the larger gathering of veterans. Many attendees sported beige caps, likely symbolizing unity and a shared mission. The event concluded with a symbolic gesture of raised hands, representing solidarity and a collective commitment to national development.
This celebration comes in the wake of an earlier initiative on February 20, where General Dwivedi honored two other veterans, Lieutenant Colonel Joy Choudhary (Retd.) and Naik A Levi Magh (Retd.), during a visit to Eastern Command. The Veteran Achievers Award serves not only to recognize individual accomplishments but also to inspire former soldiers to remain engaged in community service and national development.
The Indian Army reiterated that such events are integral to wider national initiatives, including the Year of Tech Absorption and the Decade of Transformation. These campaigns aim to usher India into a new era of progress while emphasizing core values of unity, service, and social empowerment. The ceremony in Prayagraj not only celebrated the achievements of individual veterans but also highlighted their lasting contributions to the nation’s advancement.
