Ex-Servicemen Celebrate 80th Independence Day with Patriotic Fervour at Sarkaghat in Mandi.
Shimla:
The United Front of Ex-Servicemen JCOs/OR Unit, Sarkaghat, celebrated the country’s 80th Independence Day with great enthusiasm, patriotic fervour and a strong spirit of national unity on Friday. The grand and dignified event was organised at the RRR Restaurant near Klahu Mor in Sarkaghat, where a large number of ex-servicemen from the area participated with enthusiasm.
The programme was presided over by Veteran Ashok Kumar Sharma, President of the Sarkaghat Unit, while Captain Jagdish Verma, State President of the United Front of Ex-Servicemen, Himachal Pradesh, attended the event as the chief guest.
The celebrations began with the singing of the National Anthem, followed by spirited slogans of “Bharat Mata Ki Jai,” creating an atmosphere filled with patriotism and national pride. On the occasion, the ex-servicemen paid heartfelt tributes to the brave martyrs who made the supreme sacrifice while defending the nation and safeguarding its borders.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Guest Captain Jagdish Verma and Unit President Ashok Kumar Sharma highlighted the invaluable contribution of ex-servicemen to the country’s unity, integrity and nation-building. They emphasised that the sense of duty and service among soldiers does not end with retirement. Even after completing their military careers, ex-servicemen continue to remain committed to serving society and contributing to the welfare and development of the nation.
The speakers also stressed the importance of maintaining unity and solidarity among veterans and working collectively for the welfare of ex-servicemen and their families. They appreciated the participation of veterans in the Independence Day programme and described such gatherings as an important means of strengthening camaraderie and patriotic spirit.
At the conclusion of the event, the participating ex-servicemen reaffirmed their commitment to the service of the nation, social responsibility and mutual unity. The gathering also provided an opportunity for veterans to meet, interact and share their experiences in an atmosphere of brotherhood and patriotism.
Among those present were Captain Baldev Chauhan, Veteran Amrit Lal Saklani, Surinder Kumar Verma, Ramesh Kumar Jamwal, Tilak Chand and Rajender Guleria. Other veterans who attended included Muni Lal Sharma, Balbir, Kamal Kishore, Anil Kumar, B.R. Dogra, Pratap Guleria, Hem Raj, Sher Singh, Kashmir Singh, Moti Ram and Parveen Kumar, besides hundreds of other ex-servicemen from Sarkaghat and adjoining areas.
The event concluded on a patriotic note, with the veterans reiterating their dedication to the nation and their resolve to continue contributing to society even after retirement from active military service.
