Senapati : As part of its continued commitment towards the welfare and well-being of veterans, the Spear Corps of Indian Army organised an Ex-Servicemen (ESM) Rally 2026 at Karong Ground, Senapati, Manipur, on 06 March 2026. The rally brought together veterans of the Indian Army and Assam Rifles, serving as a comprehensive outreach platform for Ex-Servicemen, Veer Naris and their families from across the region.
The event was graced by Lieutenant General Abhijit S Pendharkar, AVSM, YSM, General Officer Commanding Spear Corps, as the Chief Guest. Major General Shubhankar Basu, SM, VSM, General Officer Commanding Red Shield Division, also attended the event. Their presence reaffirmed the Army’s enduring bond with its former soldiers and their dependents.
A total of 850 attendees participated in the rally, including 325 Army Ex-Servicemen and 230 Assam Rifles Ex-Servicemen. The gathering also included 153 widows and 142 dependents, among whom were 13 Veer Naris and 2 Veer Mata, reflecting the wide outreach and strong participation from the veteran community.
The rally, themed “Honouring the Past, Inspiring the Future,” provided a single-window platform to address grievances, facilitate access to welfare and administrative services, and further strengthen the relationship between the Army and its veterans. The structured programme included interaction sessions with senior officers, awareness briefings on various welfare schemes, cultural performances by local Manipuri artists, community engagement activities and felicitation of distinguished veterans, Veer Naris and families in recognition of their invaluable contributions.
A wide range of facilities were made available at the venue, including Grievance Redressal Cells, a Medical Camp, SPARSH and ECHS assistance counters, Rajya and Zila Sainik Board desks, PCDA (Guwahati), ARO support, CSD services, and assistance from leading banks such as State Bank of India, HDFC Bank and IDBI Bank. The convergence of multiple agencies ensured that attendees received prompt guidance and resolution of their concerns under one roof. Ex-Servicemen, Veer Naris and their families participated enthusiastically and availed themselves of the services and facilities provided. The successful conduct of the rally underscored the Indian Army’s unwavering respect for its veterans and reaffirmed its steadfast commitment to honouring their service, sacrifice and lifelong contribution to the nation.
