K.A.Viswanathan
Mumbai: Fifteen disabled Army solders were honoured by Sri Shanmukhananda Fine Arts & Sangeetha Sabha on the occasion of the 71 st Republic day at the Sabha hall, King’s Circle. Lt. General S.K. Prashar , General Officer Commanding, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Goa area presided over the function and honoured the solders.
Every year , jointly with the Indian Army ,on the Republic day , the Sabha felicitate disabled Army men who were incapacitated while defending the nation , and on the Independence day the families of the Martyrs who sacrificed their lives in the cause of the nation. In the earlier years the Sabha handed over a contribution of Rs.10 lakh each to the Paraplegic unit of the Indian Army at Khadki and the Artificial Limb centre , Pune.
This year the disabled solders were honoured by presenting them a cheque for Rs. One lakh each and mementos. Till now 43 wounded army solders have been honoured by the Sabha.
The Sabha president Dr. V. Shankar welcoming the guest said “ the solders are the real heroes of the nation, who have survived in the battle fields to tell us their stories of extra
ordinary bravery and courage and in uniform they fear no death.” He said Sabha has forged a unique partnership with the Armed forces and it is for the first time that a civil society engaged in furthering fine arts has joined hands with armed forces to celebrate Independence and Republic day for the welfare of the armed forces and their families.
Lt. General Prashar in his address said the two national days August 15 and January 26,reminds us that “we are the citizens of this country and bring us together in the celebrations. These types of functions by honouring the army men will bring confidence in the minds of other solders that the ‘Society is with us” in times of need he said. “No amount of money or material can actually help wounded warriors or widows”. Only emotional support the society provides and feel for them will only help to heal their wounds they suffered “the General added.
