Nashik, October 25, 2026: At the Artillery Centre in Nashik, the Indian Army held a Mega Ex-Servicemen Rally under Southern Command, bringing welfare services closer to veterans, Veer Naris and their families. The event was designed to address practical concerns in one place rather than sending beneficiaries across different offices.
Support for veterans from three districts
Ex-servicemen and their dependents from Nashik, Dhule and Nandurbar districts attended the rally. They were able to seek help on pension matters, raise administrative grievances and discuss healthcare needs and other welfare-related issues.
A key focus of the programme was pension and grievance redressal support. The arrangement gave veterans and their families a chance to obtain guidance on pension-related concerns and present matters that required administrative attention.
The Army also arranged assistance for Aadhaar-related services and for the System for Pension Administration (Raksha), commonly known as SPARSH, which is described in the source as the digital pension management system for defence pensioners.
SPARSH and medical assistance
The SPARSH helpdesk was intended to support beneficiaries who needed help with digital pension services. The source notes that this can be especially useful for veterans who may find online pension systems difficult to navigate.
Alongside administrative support, a medical camp was organised as part of the outreach effort. It provided on-the-spot healthcare assistance to participating veterans, Veer Naris and eligible family members.
The medical initiative reflected the Army’s emphasis on accessible healthcare for former service personnel, particularly elderly veterans and family members who may need medical attention. The presence of Veer Naris, the widows of deceased military personnel, highlighted the wider welfare role of such programmes.
One-stop outreach and welfare link
By combining several services at a single venue, the rally enabled direct interaction between veterans, their families and support staff. The source says such outreach helps maintain the connection between serving military institutions and former soldiers after retirement.
The Mega Ex-Servicemen Rally in Nashik was presented as part of the Indian Army’s continuing effort to strengthen veteran welfare support and provide practical assistance to military families in the region. It also reflected Southern Command’s commitment to honouring the service and sacrifices of ex-servicemen while keeping veterans, Veer Naris and their dependents linked to the Army’s welfare network.
