Itanagar, April 26: Arunachal Pradesh Governor Lieutenant General K.T. Parnaik (Retd) paid solemn tribute to the supreme sacrifices of Indian soldiers and honoured the invaluable contributions of military veterans at a mega veterans rally held in Likabali, Arunachal Pradesh on Sunday, April 26. The event, themed 'Strengthening Connect with Ex-Servicemen Community', drew over 1,500 participants including veterans, Veer Naris (war widows), serving soldiers, and their dependents, underscoring the deep bond between the Indian Armed Forces and its veteran fraternity.

Governor Parnaik Addresses Pension Concerns and Welfare Schemes

Addressing the gathering, Governor Parnaik emphasised the enduring role of veterans in safeguarding the country's sovereignty and national unity. He also spoke at length on pension-related anomalies, welfare schemes available to ex-servicemen, and praised the civil administration for its wholehearted support in organising the rally.

The Governor's remarks carry particular weight given that pension disbursement disputes and One Rank One Pension (OROP) implementation gaps continue to be persistent grievances among India's veteran community — issues that have seen periodic protests in states like Haryana, Punjab, and Himachal Pradesh over the past decade.

Rally Organised by Spearhead Division of Spearcorps

According to Defence Spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Athul Sreedharan, the rally was organised by the Spearhead Division of Spearcorps in close coordination with the state and district administrations of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. The event served as a direct outreach platform to address key concerns of veterans and their families.

Representatives from Rajya Sainik Board Itanagar, Zila Sainik Welfare Offices of Dibrugarh and Lakhimpur, Principal Controller of Defence Accounts Guwahati, and the Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) were present. Officials from Record Offices, state and district administrations, government agencies, and various banks actively assisted veterans in resolving grievances on the spot.

Key Issues Addressed: Pension, Land, Legal and Healthcare

The primary objective of the rally was to address pension disbursement anomalies, land and legal disputes, and other challenges unique to veterans and their families in the northeastern region. The Northeast India veteran community often faces compounded challenges due to geographic remoteness, limited access to government offices, and complex land tenure systems.

Veterans were also sensitised about resettlement schemes, second career avenues, and re-employment opportunities facilitated by the Army Welfare Placement Organisation (AWPO). A comprehensive medical camp was simultaneously organised to cater to the healthcare needs of attendees — a critical service in a region where ECHS facilities remain sparse.

Strategic Significance of the Northeast Veterans Outreach

Arunachal Pradesh, sharing a sensitive 3,488-km border with China, has a historically significant military presence. Veterans from this region have served in some of India's most challenging terrains, including the 1962 Sino-Indian War and multiple counter-insurgency operations. Outreach events like this rally are not merely welfare exercises — they reinforce civil-military relations in a strategically vital border state.

Notably, the Indian Army has been scaling up its veteran connect programmes across the Northeast in recent years, recognising that ex-servicemen in remote areas are often the last to receive timely pension updates or welfare benefits. This rally at Likabali — a town in the Lower Siang district — reflects that targeted outreach strategy.

Rally Concludes on a Positive Note

Lieutenant Colonel Sreedharan stated that the rally proved to be a significant initiative in resolving routine challenges faced by veterans and Veer Naris, providing a direct platform for interaction with authorities. The event reinforced the commitment of both the Army and civil administration toward the welfare of the veteran community.

The rally concluded successfully, leaving a lasting positive impact on all participants and further strengthening the bond between the Indian Army and its veteran fraternity. As the Ministry of Defence continues to push for expanded veteran welfare infrastructure in border states, events like this are expected to become more frequent across Arunachal Pradesh and the broader Northeast region in the coming months.