Army Medical Corps Veterans Celebrate 262nd Raising Day at Bhambla in a Historic First for Himachal Pradesh.
Shimla:
In a historic and emotionally resonant event, veterans of the Army Medical Corps (AMC) celebrated the 262nd Raising Day of the Corps for the first time at Bhambla near Jahu in Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh on Thursday January 1. The landmark celebration was organised at the Sea Rock Hotel, Jahu, and witnessed enthusiastic participation from AMC ex-servicemen, including Junior Commissioned Officers (JCOs) and Other Ranks (ORs), from across the state.
A large gathering of retired AMC personnel from districts such as Kangra, Mandi, Bilaspur, Una, Chamba, and surrounding areas assembled to mark the occasion. The event began with a solemn tribute to the martyrs of the Army Medical Corps and other armed forces. Veterans paid homage by lighting candles, offering flowers, and observing two minutes of silence, remembering those who laid down their lives in service to the nation.
Established in 1764, the Army Medical Corps has a distinguished legacy of serving the nation in both war and peace. Guided by its noble motto, “Sarve Santu Niramaya”—meaning “May all be free from disease”—the AMC has consistently provided medical care to soldiers of all arms, their families, and ex-servicemen. The Corps has also made significant contributions during foreign missions, disaster relief operations, and public health emergencies, including exemplary service during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Beyond its ceremonial significance, the event served as a platform for veterans to reconnect with former colleagues and relive memories of their years in uniform. The programme was enriched by cultural and musical performances, including devotional songs and flute recitals presented by Retired Subedar Veer Singh, who earlier served with the Dogra Regiment band. His performances added emotional depth to the gathering and were warmly applauded by the audience.
The function was graced by Chief Guest Captain Guru Charan Singh Bajwa (Palampur) and Captain Jagdish Verma (Retd.), along with other members of the organising committee. In a joint statement, the organisers highlighted that this was the first time in the history of Himachal Pradesh that Army Medical Corps veterans had assembled in such large numbers to collectively celebrate the Raising Day.
Addressing the gathering, Captain Jagdish Verma (Retd.) described the event as the beginning of a meaningful and enduring tradition. He added that future celebrations would aim to be more inclusive by inviting Veer Naris (war widows), widows, and families of ex-servicemen, thereby strengthening social bonds and honoring the sacrifices of military families.
Several distinguished veterans were present on the occasion, including Captain Ashok Kumar (Sarkaghat), Subedar Major Vidhya Sagar Dogra, Lieutenant Anil Kumar (Chandigarh), Subedar A. Chauhan (Chandigarh), Subedar Naresh Kumar (Shahtlai), and Naib Subedar Ashwani Kumar (Sundernagar).
The successful organisation of the event reflected the unity, discipline, and enduring spirit of Army Medical Corps veterans and stood as a heartfelt tribute to their lifelong commitment to service, compassion, and humanity.
