Jammu, August 10: In a heartfelt gesture of solidarity with the Armed Forces, citizens of Jammu came together at Military Hospital Satwari to honour war-wounded soldiers and donate 13 wheelchairs for the mobility and welfare of veterans, Veer Naris and disabled soldiers.
The outreach event was organised on August 9 as a precursor to AWWA Day, observed on August 23, with the objective of strengthening the bond between the Defence Forces and the people of Jammu.
13 Wheelchairs Donated
As part of the initiative, citizens contributed 13 wheelchairs to facilitate the movement of elderly ex-servicemen, Veer Naris and disabled soldiers within the Military Hospital complex.
The initiative was conceptualised by Brigadier (Retd) Harcharan Singh and Mrs Paramjit Kaur, who motivated citizens from Jammu to come forward and support the cause.
The Zonal President AWWA attended the programme as the Chief Guest.
War-Wounded Soldiers Share Their Stories
One of the most moving aspects of the event was the interaction between citizens and war-wounded soldiers, who shared firsthand accounts of their experiences on the battlefield.
Capt Mohd Sadiq, SC, Naik Romesh and Naik Tarsame Singh recalled sustaining serious injuries while fighting the enemy but continuing their missions with determination until the threat was neutralised.
Their stories of courage, sacrifice, resilience and commitment to duty left a deep impression on those attending the programme.
Citizens Supporting Veer Naris
Speaking on the occasion, Brigadier (Retd) Harcharan Singh highlighted the growing participation of citizens in supporting the families of soldiers.
He said people from different backgrounds have adopted families of Veer Naris in Jammu and Kashmir, with the aim of providing psychological support and helping guide their children.
He also highlighted initiatives under which war veterans and decorated soldiers are felicitated at public events, while veterans deliver motivational talks in schools to inspire the younger generation and strengthen patriotic values.
Who Contributed to the Wheelchair Drive?
The 13-wheelchair donation was supported by:
- Swatanter Aggarwal
- Pradeep Jain
- Naveen Jain
- Ramnik Singh
- Prof. (Dr) Arti Bakshi
- Jaininder Jain
- Anoop Jain
- Dr Ritesh Gupta
The donors also interacted with the war-wounded soldiers and heard their experiences of service and sacrifice.
Patriotic Performance and Felicitations
Adding a patriotic touch to the programme, Mrs Suresh Bala presented a patriotic song, which was warmly received by the gathering.
Appreciation Certificates were subsequently presented to the wheelchair donors, war-wounded soldiers and Mrs Suresh Bala by the Chief Guest in recognition of their contribution and inspiring service.
The Chief Guest appreciated the people of Jammu for continuing to stand with soldiers and their families during both peace and challenging times.
The efforts of Brigadier (Retd) Harcharan Singh in providing psychological support to soldiers’ families and war-wounded personnel were also specially acknowledged.
Strengthening the Bond Between Citizens and Armed Forces
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by the Commandant, Military Hospital Satwari, who expressed gratitude to the citizens, donors, war-wounded soldiers, AWWA representatives and everyone involved in organising the initiative.
The event reaffirmed the enduring bond between Jammu’s citizens and the Defence Forces, highlighting the values of compassion, sacrifice, resilience and service to the nation.