Jammu August 20, 2026: In a significant initiative aimed at strengthening welfare measures and post-service support for Veterans, Veer Naris and their dependents, Northern Command of the Indian Army organised ‘Synergy Conference 3.0 – Veterans Conclave’ at Udhampur in hybrid mode.

Conceptualised under the vision and guidance of Lt Gen Pratik Sharma, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Northern Command, the conclave brought together senior military officers and representatives from various military formations, Central Government and UT administration departments to deliberate upon issues concerning the welfare, resettlement and empowerment of the veteran community. The conference was also graced by Ms Sukriti Likhi, Secretary, Ex-Servicemen Welfare (ESW), Ministry of Defence, Government of India, who participated through video conference. The conclave centred on the three guiding pillars of ‘Seva, Samman and Sammriddhi’, with focused deliberations on strengthening institutional mechanisms and streamlining procedural and administrative systems for providing timely and effective support to Veterans, Veer Naris and their dependents.
The conference provided a collaborative platform to deliberate upon contemporary challenges faced by the veteran community. Key areas discussed included healthcare delivery, welfare schemes, pension-related matters, skill development and upskilling, awareness of government schemes, second-career opportunities, institutional support and effective grievance redressal mechanisms. The participants also discussed ways to facilitate greater integration of Veterans into nation-building initiatives by leveraging their experience, skills and leadership capabilities. Addressing the conclave, Lt Gen Pratik Sharma, GOC-in-C, Northern Command, reaffirmed the Indian Army’s unwavering commitment towards the welfare and well-being of the veteran community. He emphasised that the sacrifices, dedication and years of distinguished service rendered by military personnel must be acknowledged not merely through words, but through meaningful, sustainable and institutionalised welfare measures.The Army Commander stressed upon the importance of enhanced coordination and close synergy among all stakeholders, including military formations, government departments and civil administration, to ensure that the genuine concerns of Veterans, Veer Naris and their dependents are addressed efficiently and within the stipulated timelines. He further underscored the need to strengthen existing welfare mechanisms and explore innovative avenues for supporting Veterans in their post-service journey.Ms Sukriti Likhi, Secretary ESW, Ministry of Defence, appreciated the initiative of Northern Command in organising the conclave and called for continued collaborative efforts by all stakeholders to ensure timely and effective delivery of welfare and resettlement services to Veterans and their dependents. She reiterated the commitment and support of the Central Government towards strengthening welfare measures for the veteran community, particularly in the Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.The conclave reaffirmed the collective resolve of the Indian Army and civil administration to ensure that those who devoted their lives to the service of the nation continue to receive the dignity, care, support and opportunities they rightfully deserve. The initiative marked another significant step towards building a more responsive, integrated and veteran-centric welfare framework