Army actively integrating veterans into national security framework: General Dwivedi
Jaipur (PTI): Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi on Wednesday said the Army was actively integrating its veterans into the country's security framework and nation-building efforts, while expanding welfare, healthcare and resettlement initiatives for ex-servicemen and their families.
Addressing an event to mark Armed Forces Veterans Day, he said ex-servicemen contributed to India's security, governance, industry and social development well beyond active service.
"Whenever the nation has called, our veterans have stood firmly with the country under all circumstances," General Dwivedi said and described it as a reflection of their "deeply ingrained sense of national duty and responsibility".
Armed Forces Veterans' Day is celebrated on January 14 every year to recognise the service rendered by the first Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Field Marshal K M Cariappa, who retired on this day in 1953.
Highlighting the Army's expanding welfare ecosystem, General Dwivedi said that Project NAMAN, launched in August 2024 to provide a dedicated support system for defence pensioners and their families, has reached a major milestone.
"On the occasion of this Army Day, the 100th NAMAN centre is being inaugurated," he said, adding that the aim is to establish nearly 200 such centres by January next year, including in remote locations.
The Chief of Army Staff said the Army views its personnel, veterans and families as one large unit. "I consider the armed forces to be a strong family of nearly 1.25 crore members," he said, referring to serving soldiers, veterans and dependents.
Stressing the growing contribution of ex-servicemen in strategic planning, he said veterans were being systematically engaged through initiatives such as Shaurya Sampravah.
"Whether it is strategic brainstorming, wargaming, red-teaming or operational planning, your contributions exceeded expectations," he said, referring to veterans' involvement during Operation Sindoor.
The Army chief also highlighted resettlement and employment efforts, noting that more than 17,000 veterans were provided jobs this year alone through the Army Welfare Placement Organisation, taking the cumulative figure to over 1.5 lakh.
Calling on the veterans to remain actively engaged with society, the Army chief said, "Your experience, skill and dedication will continue to benefit the country in the years ahead."
While economic strength shapes a nation's growth, "military strength ultimately forms the foundation of its outcomes", he said.
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Young woman from MP who shot to fame during Kumbh found to be minor, case registered against husband
Khargone (MP) (PTI): The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes on Friday confirmed that a young woman from Madhya Pradesh who became famous due to her viral videos during the 2025 Maha Kumbh has been found to be a minor after an inquiry.
Citing the findings of an inquiry panel set up by the commission, local BJP leaders alleged that her interfaith marriage in Kerala last month was a case of "love Jihad", and sought legal action.
While the panel had submitted its report in March, ST commission chairman Antar Singh Arya confirmed its findings to the PTI on Friday.
A case for alleged kidnapping and offences under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act has already been registered against her husband, a Muslim man, at Maheshwar on the basis of the inquiry findings, police said.
The girl gained national fame after her videos while selling garlands and rudraksha at the Maha Kumbh went viral on social media and also earned her a role in a film.
The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes set up an inquiry panel after receiving a complaint on March 17 from Pratham Dubey, a resident of Uttar Pradesh, that she was a minor and was being exploited.
Maheshwar BJP MLA Rajkumar Mev and BJP mandal president Vikram Patel, armed with documents, told reporters on Friday that her marriage in Kerala was a case of "love Jihad" and she should be brought back home.
'Love jihad' is a term used by right-wing groups to allege a conspiracy by Muslim men to lure Hindu women into marriage to convert them to Islam.
Police said an investigation is underway, and further action would be taken accordingly.
The girl, who belongs to the nomadic Pardhi community, got married at a temple in Kerala in March. The interfaith marriage drew angry reactions from rightwing Hindu groups.
Her family members and film director Sanoj Mishra -- who had offered her a film role after she became famous -- too alleged that it was 'love Jihad'.
As per the inquiry conducted by the ST commission, records at the Maheshwar government hospital showed the woman's date of birth as December 30, 2009 which meant she was 16 years and two months old at the time of marriage, said Dubey, the complainant.
On a complaint filed by her father, police registered a case against the girl's husband at Maheshwar police station on March 25 for alleged kidnapping and under the POCSO Act and the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
Police sources said that a separate case was also registered on March 24 under section 137(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (taking a minor from lawful custody of guardian without their consent) based on the the commission's findings.
