Patriotic dedications of Armed Forces, who are always alert on the borders and for whom people are sleeping peacefully, have made India great. Governor Dr SC Jamir stated this while attending as chief guest at the annual day of the War Veteran Officers’ Association (WVOA), Odisha, a body of retired Defence officers, celebrated here on Sunday.“Though we got Independence for sacrifices of freedom fighters, yet we are sleeping peacefully for the Defence Forcecs’ dedicated services,” Jamir said. He said the Defence forces have not only ensured safetyon the borders but also handled natural calamities successfully. He lauded the WVOA’s philanthropic activities done under its president Retd lt Gen Narayan Mohanty.
INS Chilka Commanding Officer Commodore Manish Misra urged the war veterans to continue with yeoman service to the society. On the occasion, Brigadier HH Tripathy (Retd) was conferred the life Time Achievement Award for his significant contribution to the Defence Forces while in service as well as to the aociety at large after his retirement.
At the outset, Brigadier SN Mohanty (Retd) delivered the welcome address while WVOA hounarary secretary Major RC Maharana presented the annual report. The progromme concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Brigadier K Acharya (Retd). The function was attended by a large number of veteran and serving Defence Forces officers and their families, NCC and Sainik School cadets and other invitees. An enthralling cultural programme followed.