MUMBAI: The families of 10 martyred soldiers who laid down their lives during 2020-21, and 15 wounded soldiers were felicitated by the Sri Shanmukhananda Sabha, King's Circle, on Sunday. The organisation conducts similar events each year on Republic Day.
Lt General HS Kahlon, General Officer Commanding, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Goa area, distributed the honours. He also presented the Sri Shanmukha Shaurya Ratna award to Silu Nayak from Odisha.
The 29-year-old Nayak started an outfit named Mahaguru Battalion to train men in defence ever since he himself was disqualified to join the armed forces. He has so far trained more than 300 persons for the army and other security services, of which 70 have been recruited by various security agencies.
Each martyr's family was presented with a cash solatium of Rs 2 lakh and a memento worth Rs 50,000. The wounded warriors were presented with a purse of Rs 1 lakh each.
General Kahlon said honouring the wounded solders and martyrs' families will give confidence to the defence forces. They will remember that society will stand by them in their hour of need. "The soldiers toil at the borders day and night in all seasons to safeguard the country. Giving recognition of this type will also encourage youngsters who want to join the defence forces," he said.
Kahlon accepted the Sabha's offer of free treatment to the families of defence personnel in its eye care and dialysis centre.
At the start of the ceremony, the participants paid homage to former chief of defence staff Gen. Bipin Rawat, his wife Madhulika, ands 12 army officers who lost their lives in a recent air crash. A film clip on the general was screened. Students of the music school rendered the full five stanzas of the national anthem.
Sabha president V Shankar said, "This function was to take place on January 26 but was postponed due to Covid restrictions. This is a yearly tribute to those who serve the nation."
