Dehradun, July 26, 2026: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami attended a soldiers’ सम्मान ceremony and कवि सम्मेलन held on Kargil Vijay Diwas, where he paid tribute to the martyrs of the Kargil war and honoured brave soldiers, ex-servicemen, war widows, martyr families and distinguished military personalities.
Dhami said Kargil Vijay Diwas is a proud chapter in India’s history, symbolizing the Indian Army’s unmatched bravery, strong will and indomitable courage. He recalled that 75 brave soldiers from Uttarakhand laid down their lives in the Kargil war while defending the motherland, and said their sacrifice will always remain a source of inspiration for the state and the nation.
He said that respect for soldiers and national security should not be treated as a political issue, but as a duty toward the nation. Referring to the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Dhami said the world today sees the confidence, strength and modern capability of the Indian Army. He added that India is no longer a country that responds to terror only with condemnation, but one that gives a decisive reply through operations like surgical strikes, air strikes and Operation Sindoor.
The Chief Minister said that under the Modi government, the armed forces are being equipped with modern and indigenous weapons, while roads, tunnels, bridges and other strategic infrastructure are being developed rapidly in border areas. He also mentioned the implementation of One Rank-One Pension, the construction of the National War Memorial, the steady rise in the defence budget and several other decisions that, he said, show the government’s top priority is national security and soldiers’ welfare.
Dhami said the Uttarakhand government is also working with full commitment for the honour and welfare of soldiers, ex-servicemen, war widows and martyr families. He said the compensation for the dependents of martyrs has been raised from ₹10 lakh to ₹50 lakh. He added that lump sum and annual assistance for recipients of gallantry awards has also been increased significantly.
He said one family member of a martyred soldier will be adjusted in government service, and the time limit for applying for a government job has been extended from two years to five years. He also referred to pre-job training, daughter marriage assistance, free travel in state buses for gallantry award winners and ex-servicemen, and a 25 percent stamp duty concession on property purchases up to ₹25 lakh for serving and retired soldiers.
The Chief Minister further said that the compensation for Param Vir Chakra awardees has been increased from ₹50 lakh to ₹1.5 crore. He said construction of the state’s fifth dham, the military dham at Gunyal village in Dehradun, is in its final phase, and plans are also in place for a grand military memorial between Khatima and Tanakpur.
Dhami said the state government is fully committed to the secure and bright future of Agniveers. He said India’s first Agniveer employment cell has been approved to address the employment concerns of discharged Agniveers. He added that priority is also being considered for discharged Agniveers in police, forest and other government recruitments, while free skill training will be provided to those interested in self-employment.
He said special grants are also being planned for ex-servicemen and discharged Agniveers to set up homestays in hilly regions, and special assistance will be provided for developing basic infrastructure in border villages to connect local residents, ex-servicemen and Agniveers with self-employment.
The Chief Minister also said the government is seriously considering the long-pending demand of ex-servicemen regarding arms licenses and will take a decision soon. He added that necessary efforts will also be made for the speedy disposal of pending land fraud cases related to military families in district courts.
Speaking at the कवि सम्मेलन, Dhami said literature and poetry are powerful mediums to pass the spirit of patriotism to the next generation. He quoted the stirring lines of national poet Ramdhari Singh Dinkar while paying tribute to the martyrs.
Stateसभा MP Naresh Bansal, MLA Umesh Sharma Kau, soldiers, ex-servicemen, war widows, martyr families, military officials, poets, public representatives and a large number of residents were present at the event.
