Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami pays floral tributes at Garhwal Rifles Regimental War Memorial

Lansdowne (Uttarakhand) [India], October 5 (ANI): Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami paid floral tributes at the Garhwal Rifles Regimental War Memorial at Lansdowne on Sunday. The Chief Minister attended the "Shaheed Samman Samaroh (Martyrs' Honour Ceremony)".
According to the Uttarakhand Chief Minister's Office (CMO), Dhami paid tribute to the immortal heroes who made the supreme sacrifice in the service of the nation. On this occasion, the Chief Minister said that the memorial stands as a living symbol of the courage, sacrifice, and unwavering love of the brave soldiers for their motherland.
The Chief Minister also honoured the families and dependents of the heroes who made the supreme sacrifice by presenting them with copper plaques and ceremonial shawls. He also inspected the Army Band and conveyed his best wishes to the soldiers. At the Amar Shaheed Gabbar Singh Negi Memorial, he laid a wreath at the statue of the legendary hero and paid floral tributes, stating that the nation's security today stands firm because of brave sons like Gabbar Singh Negi.
Additionally, the Chief Minister also lit ceremonial lamps before copper urns containing the sacred soil collected from the courtyards of martyrs' homes across various districts and offered floral tributes to honour their memory. All present observed a moment of silence to express their gratitude towards the martyrs. Notably, this sacred soil will be taken to Dehradun for the construction of the grand Sainya Dham (Military Shrine).

On the occasion, the Chief Minister made several key announcements to enhance facilities for soldiers and their families. These included the renovation and modernisation of the Sainik Vishram Grih (Soldiers' Rest House) in Kotdwar and the establishment of Common Service Centres at the Directorate of Sainik Kalyan and District Sainik Welfare & Rehabilitation Offices, where services will be provided free of cost through the appointment of Veer Naris (war widows) and ex-servicemen. He also announced financial assistance for the renovation of the Garhwal Rifles Regimental Centre Museum in Lansdowne, along with the upgrading of the Primary Health Centre in Jaiharikhal.
In a tribute to fallen heroes, several institutions and roads will be renamed after martyrs: Government Inter College, Kartiya, after Shaheed Kamal Singh Rawat; High School, Dobriyasar, after Shaheed Anuj Singh Negi; Barua-Chinbo Road after Shaheed Keshavanand Dhyani; a Primary Health Centre after Shaheed Harish Joshi; and Jaiharikhal-Gumkhal Road after Shaheed Khushal Singh Negi.
Further, lifting earlier restrictions on grants, the Chief Minister extended honorarium benefits to all surviving World War II veterans and their widows, even if they have not received financial aid from other sources.
Moreover, the Chief Minister also emphasised that the Sainya Dham is not merely a structure of bricks and stones but a living symbol of immortal souls. The sacred soil from the homes of martyrs is being brought there as a true tribute to those who gave everything for the nation. He noted that the Shaheed Samman Yatra 2.0, held from September 25 to October 4, was a tribute to the tears and sacrifices of martyrs' families. The Military Shrine, under construction, will continue to inspire future generations with patriotism, honouring those who sacrificed their present for our future.
According to the Uttarakhand CM, almost every household in the state has a member with a military background. The state government is continuously working for the welfare of soldiers and their families.
The ex-gratia amount for the families of martyrs has been increased from Rs 50 lakh to Rs one crore, and Rs 10,000 is provided for funeral assistance. Soldiers receive up to a 25 per cent exemption on stamp duty for land purchases. Currently, 28 dependents of martyrs have been appointed to government service, with 13 cases under process. The time limit for applications has been extended from 2 years to 5 years.
He also acknowledged the Central Government's support, mentioning schemes like One Rank One Pension, modern equipment, jackets, and boots for soldiers. He highlighted India's emergence as a leading defence exporter, capable of giving a fitting response to adversaries. The Chief Minister urged citizens to plant a tree "in the name of martyrs", similar to the "One Tree in Mother's Name" campaign.
The Sainik Kalyan Minister Ganesh Joshi announced the successful conclusion of the Shaheed Samman Yatra 2.0 in Lansdowne. He informed us that the second phase of the yatra started from Dehradun on September 25 and concluded in Lansdowne, with sacred soil collected from the courtyards of 71 martyrs. This soil will be placed at the Amar Jawan Jyoti before the inauguration of the Sainya Dham.
He thanked the Chief Minister for his constant sensitivity towards the welfare of soldiers and Veer Naris.
Rajya Sabha MP Mahendra Bhatt said that Uttarakhand is not only Devbhoomi (Land of the Gods) but also Veerbhoomi (Land of the Brave). "We do not consider martyrs as the deceased but as immortal heroes," he said. The freedom to breathe in open air today is the result of the indomitable courage and sacrifices of brave soldiers. Honouring soldiers and their families is a top priority for both the Central and State governments. He lauded the state government's decision to provide a 10 per cent reservation in Group 'C' uniformed government services for soldiers and Agniveers.
Additionally, MLA Dilip Singh Rawat offered heartfelt tributes to the bravery and sacrifice of the heroes. A special video presentation on the Shaheed Samman Yatra was screened, showcasing the glorious history and contributions of the martyrs, deeply moving the audience.
Sainik Kalyan Secretary Dipendra Chaudhary extended his gratitude to all guests, martyr families, and citizens. He stated that the event was not only an opportunity to pay homage to the martyrs but also a symbol of the collective resolve of the people and the government in the construction of the Military Shrine. (ANI)