During a special ceremony at the Retiring Officers Seminar in New Delhi, the Indian Army bestowed the esteemed Veteran Achievers Award upon three distinguished ex-servicemen in recognition of their significant contributions to society after their military careers. The awards were presented by Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi, who underscored the importance of their continued dedication to nation-building.
Colonel Christopher Rego (Retd), a veteran from the Corps of Engineers, received notable recognition for his pioneering efforts with the Sunbird Trust, an organization he established in 2016. Following his retirement in January 2016, Rego dedicated himself to enhancing education and sustainable development specifically in Northeast India. His trust has beneficially impacted over 49,000 students and has reached more than 390,000 individuals by 2024, thanks to impactful collaborations with local governments and the armed forces. Recognized as an Ashoka Fellow in 2016, Rego’s commitment to promoting peace through education in conflict-affected areas exemplifies transformative social leadership.
Lieutenant Colonel Mohinder Singh Rana (Retd) from the Army Service Corps has made significant strides in community service since his retirement in 2017. Residing in Himachal Pradesh, Rana co-founded the Smile Foundation aimed at assisting the underprivileged and established a grievance redressal desk in Khudian, Kangra. Through Career Point Academy, he provides free training for aspiring candidates seeking to join the armed forces. His humanitarian initiatives, including organizing monthly langars and offering flood relief during natural disasters in Himachal, reflect his unwavering commitment to uplifting his community and supporting fellow veterans.
Havildar Khirod Kumar Jena (Retd), an Artillery veteran from Odisha, has emerged as a grassroots environmental activist. After retiring in 2005, he has planted over 30,000 fruit-bearing trees using his pension funds, with a goal of planting 100,000 trees. Jena has also installed a borewell to support his environmental initiatives and has inspired fellow veterans and villagers to engage in efforts to restore local ecosystems. His work not only promotes biodiversity and supports wildlife but also exemplifies a deep sense of ecological patriotism.
General Upendra Dwivedi commended the awardees as embodiments of the Indian Army’s core values, including selfless service, courage, and commitment. He emphasized that the Veteran Achievers Award not only recognizes past military achievements but also celebrates ongoing contributions to the nation’s development in education, social welfare, and environmental conservation.
The ceremony also aligned with the Army’s broader vision of transformation, embodying the themes of the “Year of Tech Absorption” for 2025 and the ongoing “Decade of Transformation” from 2023 to 2032. These initiatives reflect a dual commitment to innovation and societal development, both within and outside of military service.
Attended by senior Army officials, retiring officers, and representatives from the Ministry of Defence, the event spotlighted the honorees as inspiring examples of post-retirement service. Their journeys reaffirm the belief within the Indian Army that the call of duty persists beyond retirement, continuing in the service of the greater good.
