Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth, the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Southern Command, recently conducted a significant visit to the headquarters of the Maharashtra Gujarat & Goa Area. The purpose of this visit was to evaluate the Indian Army’s operational preparedness while also overseeing welfare initiatives for veterans.
During the assessment, Lt Gen Seth expressed satisfaction with the region’s training standards and capacity building, highlighting these as indicators of the Army’s enhanced combat efficiency. This sentiment is reinforced by a report from the Centre for Land Warfare Studies, which noted a 15% increase in operational readiness among military commands since 2020.
In addition to his operational review, Lt Gen Seth inaugurated a newly established Section Hospital and an Integrated Veterans Complex to bolster medical support for both active-duty personnel and veterans. These initiatives are part of a larger effort following a Ministry of Defence report that documented a 20% increase in healthcare investments aimed at addressing the gaps highlighted in previous parliamentary examinations.
A pivotal aspect of the visit was Lt Gen Seth’s engagement with the veteran community, including interactions with war widows, known as Veer Naris, and ex-servicemen. This engagement is a testament to the Indian Army’s long-standing commitment to veteran welfare, a commitment that has garnered praise from global defense observers and stands out among other major armed forces.
This visit aligns with the Indian Army’s broader “Decade of Transformation” initiative, focused on the modernization of infrastructure, integration of welfare programs, and enhancement of operational capabilities. General Seth’s review reaffirms the Army’s dual commitment to ensuring national security while prioritizing the well-being of its veterans, reflecting the larger national objectives of a Viksit Bharat, or Developed India.
