General Dhiraj Seth Felicitates Four Veterans with Yoddha Seva Samman in Jaipur

Jaipur: Chief of the Army Staff General Dhiraj Seth felicitated four retired soldiers with the Yoddha Seva Samman during his visit to Jaipur, recognising their post-retirement work in areas ranging from youth empowerment and veteran welfare to education, sports and environmental conservation.

The honour was presented to Colonel Rakesh Mishra (Retired), Naib Subedar Atma Singh (Retired), Havildar/Clerk Jetaram (Retired) and Dafadar Kuldeep Singh (Retired) for continuing to serve society after leaving the Army. Their contributions, according to the recognition, reflected the idea that military service can extend well beyond active duty through sustained community engagement.

Colonel Rakesh Mishra was recognised for his work in youth empowerment and leadership development. After retirement, he has remained engaged with young people, helping them build leadership qualities and encouraging them to contribute positively to society.

Naib Subedar Atma Singh received the Yoddha Seva Samman for sustained mentorship and his involvement in Veterans Outreach Programmes. His efforts have helped maintain a link between ex-servicemen, the Indian Army and the civil administration.

Through continued contact with the veteran community, Nb Sub Atma Singh has acted as a useful bridge for former soldiers, helping improve communication and coordination with institutions responsible for addressing their needs.

Havildar/Clerk Jetaram was honoured for his efforts in helping the families of deceased personnel, especially those in remote areas. His work has been particularly significant in assisting Next of Kin, or NOKs, with pension-related entitlements.

According to the recognition, he has helped more than 2,700 NOKs claim their pension benefits. For many families, especially those living far from administrative centres, such support can be crucial in navigating paperwork and dealing with multiple authorities.

Pension and entitlement processes often require extensive documentation and repeated interaction with different offices. The challenge can be even greater for elderly dependants, widows and families in rural or geographically isolated regions, making grassroots assistance especially valuable.

By supporting more than 2,700 NOKs, Hav/Clk Jetaram has continued to serve the military community long after his own active service ended. His work shows how the experience and knowledge gained in uniform can be used to help families at the local level.

Dafadar Kuldeep Singh was felicitated for his contributions across youth empowerment, sports and environmental conservation. His post-retirement activities reflect a broad approach to community service, combining guidance for younger generations with efforts that promote sporting activity and responsibility towards the environment.

The recognition of the four veterans in Jaipur highlighted the many forms that service can take after retirement from the Armed Forces. While one focused on shaping future generations, another strengthened links within the ex-servicemen community, and others worked to secure entitlements for military families and support broader social causes.

The Yoddha Seva Samman is intended to acknowledge veterans whose post-retirement efforts continue to make a meaningful difference to military families and to society at large. It also brings attention to grassroots work by former servicemen that often remains unnoticed, particularly in remote communities.

General Dhiraj Seth’s felicitation of the four veterans underscored the wider tradition of soldiers continuing to contribute after hanging up their uniforms. The recognition also reflected the message behind the initiative: “Honour Through Action, Vijay Through Service.”

For Col Rakesh Mishra, Nb Sub Atma Singh, Hav/Clk Jetaram and Dfr Kuldeep Singh, retirement did not end their commitment to service. It simply shifted the form that service took.