Addressing a massive gathering of military veterans, serving officers, and Veer Naris at Kulwant Singh Stadium in Meerut Cantonment today—Saturday, November 14, 2026—Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath declared that "a soldier never retires; only his uniform changes, while his resolve of patriotism endures forever." Attending the mega Ex-Servicemen Reunion Ceremony organized by the Indian Army's Western Uttar Pradesh Sub Area under Central Command alongside General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Lieutenant General Sanjay Mitra, the Chief Minister bowed in tribute to the sacrifice, discipline, and devotion of India's armed forces. Delivering a sharp critique of previous administrations, CM Yogi recalled painful past incidents—including the 2016 assault on Kargil War veteran Ganesh Kumar Shukla, administrative lapses during the 2013 funeral of martyred Lance Naik Hemraj Singh, and the 2015 murder of Lance Naik Vedmitra Chaudhary in Meerut—contrasting them with New India's decisive defense policies under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. For readers and military families across Meerut, Ghaziabad, Baghpat, Muzaffarnagar, Shamli, Bijnor, Ghazipur, Prayagraj, Lucknow, and New Delhi, the Chief Minister also spotlighted Uttar Pradesh's unmatched martial legacy, Meerut's rapid infrastructure and industrial revival, and the upcoming Major Dhyan Chand Sports University.

A Soldier Never Retires—Only His Uniform Changes

Speaking from the podium in Meerut Cantonment, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath emphasized that a nation can transform momentum into genuine progress only within a secure environment—and India's citizens sleep peacefully each night because soldiers stand vigilant on every frontier. Whether guarding the frozen heights of Siachen, the scorching sands of the desert, the depths of the ocean, or responding during natural disasters, Indian soldiers remain steadfast. Even after hanging up their military uniform, retired personnel continue serving society as mentors, role models, and pillars of civic discipline in their villages and towns.

Commending the Indian Army's Central Command for uniting veterans and Veer Naris on a single platform, CM Yogi noted that such initiatives inspire younger generations to embrace military values and national service. Referring to earlier eras, he stated that previous governments raised questions over the valor of soldiers and military operations while leaving veterans struggling for dignity and safety—whereas today's New India gives foremost priority to soldiers and takes decisive action against terrorism.

Uttar Pradesh's 20 Lakh Military Family and Legacy of Param Vir Chakra Heroes

Calling Uttar Pradesh a sacred land of heroes (Veerbhoomi), CM Yogi shared key figures underscoring the state's vital contribution to national defense:

The Chief Minister also noted that thousands of families across Uttar Pradesh have three consecutive generations serving in the armed forces, honoring iconic Param Vir Chakra awardees Naik Jadunath Singh, Company Quarter Master Havildar Abdul Hamid, Captain Manoj Kumar Pandey, and Grenadier Yogendra Singh Yadav, alongside Gahmar village in Ghazipur, renowned nationwide for sending thousands of youths into the Army.

From Mafia and Crime to Namo Bharat, Expressways, and Major Dhyan Chand Sports University

Reflecting on Meerut's transformation, CM Yogi recalled a time when the historic land of the 1857 revolution was plagued by vehicle theft, illegal slaughterhouses, unlicensed weapons, and mafia dominance, while sugarcane farmers struggled with unpaid dues, locked sugar mills, power shortages, and fertilizer queues. Today, he said, Meerut is forging a new identity while preserving its heritage—with its sports goods industry thriving globally under One District, One Product (ODOP), record sugarcane payments reaching farmers, and free electricity and canal water supporting agriculture.

Highlighting modern infrastructure, the Chief Minister pointed to the Namo Bharat RRTS Corridor and Meerut Metro inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Delhi–Meerut Expressway, and the Ganga Expressway linking Meerut to Prayagraj. Paying tribute to Indian Army soldier and hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand, CM Yogi noted that Uttar Pradesh's first sports university—named after Major Dhyan Chand—is taking shape in Meerut to nurture world-class athletes, while new Sainik Schools are preparing youth across regions for defense careers.

During the ceremony, CM Yogi felicitated Veer Naris and ex-servicemen in the presence of State Ministers Dr. Somendra Tomar and Dinesh Khatik, Central Command GOC-in-C Lieutenant General Sanjay Mitra, Major General Sumit Rana, Major General Anupam Agarwal, Major General Prashant Naruka, Major General Laxmikant Matrewal, Major General Deepak Sharma, Brigadier Sanjay Kumar Singh, Brigadier Sanjay Mishra, Meerut MP Arun Govil, Rajya Sabha MP Dr. Laxmikant Vajpayee, MLA Amit Agarwal, MLCs Ashwini Tyagi and Dharmendra Bhardwaj, Mayor Harikant Ahluwalia, District Panchayat President Gaurav Chaudhary, Major General (Retd.) Sharad Vikram Singh, and Brigadier (Retd.) Setul Kumar.