Diplomat Correspondent
Udhampur: Marking the 10th Veterans Day, solemn wreath-laying ceremony was conducted at Dhruva War Memorial, Udhampur, to honour the bravehearts who made the supreme sacrifice in the service of the nation. Wreaths were laid by Lt Gen Pratik Sharma, SYSM, PVSM, AVSM, SM, GOC-in-C Northern Command, Lt Gen PK Mishra, UYSM, AVSM, YSM, SM, GOC White Knight Corps, Ranbir Singh Pathania, MLA Udhampur (East), Sh Pawan Kumar Gupta, MLA Udhampur (West), Honorary Captain Bana Singh (Retd), PVC and Smt Chinta Devi (W/O Late Nb Sub Chunni Lal, AC, VrC, SM).
To commemorate the selfless service and sacrifices, Army Commander Northern Command felicitated Honorary Captain Bana Singh (Retd) and Smt Chinta Devi. The ceremony stood as a poignant reminder of the Nation’s enduring gratitude and respect for its soldiers.
Lighting of the Torch symbolising eternal glory of the fallen soldiers was undertaken during the ceremony.
Dhruva Motorcycle Rally was ceremonially flagged off from the historic Dhruva War Memorial, Udhampur by Honorary Captain Bana Singh (Retd), PVC, and Chinta Devi, wife of Late Nb Sub Chunni Lal, AC, VrC, SM. As an expression of solidarity and tribute to the veterans, Army Commander Northern Command, GOC White Knight Corps and senior army officers rode alongwith the bikers from Udhampur to Nagrota, covering the first phase of the rally.
Spanning approximately 740 kilometres, the Dhruva Motorcycle Rally is a deliberate outreach initiative designed to celebrate the unmatched contribution and supreme sacrifices of India’s bravehearts, while strengthening the Indian Army’s commitment to Veteran’s outreach and military-civil fusion.
The rally will traverse the scenic landscape of Pirpanjal region in White Knight Corps Zone, before culminating at the Mega Ex-Servicemen Rally on 13 January 2026 at Rajouri.
Along its route, the motorcycle rally will conduct wreath-laying ceremonies at various war memorials.
It is accompanied by ‘Aarogya Rakshak’ medical teams which will establish medical outreach camps to provide health screening, preventive care and essential medicines to Ex-Servicemen. Blood pressure monitoring machines will be distributed to senior veterans, reinforcing the Army’s sustained focus on medical care.
The Dhruva Motorcycle Rally stands as a testimony of the Indian Army’s ethos of ‘Service Beyond Uniform’, honouring the past, engaging the present, and reaffirming an unbreakable bond with the veteran community.
The initiative not only commemorates sacrifice but also celebrates the indomitable spirit, resilience, and lifelong service of the soldiers.DD
