“The valor of soldiers is an inspiration for future generations” – Chief Minister
Dehradun: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Friday participated in the ‘Ek Samvad: Veer Sainik Ke Saath’ event held at Doon Sainik Institute, Garhi Cantt, to honor the success of Operation Sindoor. Addressing the gathering, he paid tribute to the courage and sacrifice of Indian soldiers and announced the establishment of a special re-training center for retired personnel in Uttarakhand, to be overseen by the Sainik Welfare Department.
Highlighting the operation’s impact, the Chief Minister said, “Operation Sindoor sent a clear message — those who threaten India’s daughters will face a strong response.” He noted that following the Pahalgam terrorist attack on April 22, Indian forces, in a decisive retaliatory strike on May 7, dismantled nine terrorist bases and neutralized over 100 militants.
CM Dhami praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, citing a shift in national security policy from defensive to offensive. He stated that in response to the attack, the Indus Water Treaty was revoked and trade ties with Pakistan were severed, reinforcing that “trade and terror cannot go together.”
Reaffirming the state’s commitment to soldier welfare, he announced several initiatives:
Ex-gratia for martyrs’ families increased from ₹10 lakh to ₹50 lakh.
Gallantry awardees’ benefits enhanced.
Job reservation period for martyrs’ kin extended from 2 to 5 years.
Additional benefits like free travel in government buses for ex-servicemen, 25% stamp duty exemption on property up to ₹25 lakh, and construction of a military shrine in Guniyal village, Dehradun.
Military Welfare Minister Ganesh Joshi lauded Uttarakhand’s contribution to national defense, stating that one in every five soldiers in the Indian forces hails from the state. “From the World Wars to the war on terror, our soldiers have always led from the front,” he said.
The event witnessed participation from several dignitaries, including Secretary Sainik Welfare Dipendra Chaudhary, Station Commander R.S. Thapa, Director Sainik Welfare Brig. (Retd.) Amrit Lal, and UPNL MD Brig. (Retd.) J.N.S. Bisht, along with senior officials from the Army, Navy, Air Force, and various ex-servicemen organizations.
