Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath attended the Mega Veterans Rally (Ex-Servicemen Reunion) organized by the Indian Army’s Western Uttar Pradesh Sub Area at Kulwant Singh Stadium in Meerut Cantonment today—Saturday, November 14, 2026—honoring brave Veer Naris, mothers of fallen heroes, and non-pensioner ex-servicemen while interacting directly with retired officers and soldiers from across the region. Bringing together approximately 2,500 to 3,000 military veterans, widows, and Veer Naris from western Uttar Pradesh, the landmark gathering reaffirmed the bond between serving personnel, retired soldiers, and the state administration. During the ceremony, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath formally felicitated six Veer Naris and mothers of martyred soldiers, seven additional Veer Naris, and three non-pensioner ex-servicemen, alongside holding a dedicated one-on-one interaction with 13 senior retired Army officers and jawans—ranging in rank from Major General to Havildar—as well as former Western UP Sub Area Commander Brigadier SC Johar. For military families and residents across Meerut, Baghpat, Muzaffarnagar, Shamli, Bijnor, Ghaziabad, Bulandshahr, Hapur, Lucknow, and New Delhi, the event served as both a solemn tribute to supreme sacrifice and a direct forum to voice veteran welfare priorities.

Veer Naris, Mothers of Martyrs, and Non-Pensioner Ex-Servicemen Honored by CM Yogi

At the heart of the Kulwant Singh Stadium ceremony was the public felicitation of families who bore the ultimate sacrifice in defending India’s borders. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath personally honored six Veer Naris and mothers of decorated martyrs, seven additional Veer Naris, and three non-pensioner ex-servicemen for their resilience and service to the nation:

• Six Veer Naris and Mothers of Martyred Soldiers: Archi Singh (wife of Major Amit Sharma, Sena Medal), Usha Sharma (mother of Major Ketan Sharma, Sena Medal), Abrisha Khatoon (wife of Sepoy Ajmer Ali, Kirti Chakra), Vimlesh Devi (wife of Sapper Satish Kumar, Sena Medal), Mala (wife of Sepoy Nitin Kumar), and Meenu (wife of Havildar Anil Kumar Tomar, Shaurya Chakra).

• Seven Veer Naris Honored: Parvita Devi (wife of Subedar Suresh Kumar), Seema Waliyan (wife of Naik Amit Kumar Waliyan), Santosh Kumari (wife of Sepoy Ram Diya), Geeta Devi (wife of Havildar Dharmendra Kumar), Sangeeta Devi (wife of Lance Naik Joni Kumar), Neetu Saini (wife of Naik Vikas Kumar), and Suman Devi (wife of Naik Jitendra Singh).

• Three Non-Pensioner Ex-Servicemen Honored: Lance Naik Priyapal Singh, Rifleman Harbir Singh, and Sepoy Narendra Singh.

Complete List of 14 Former Army Officers and Soldiers Who Met CM Yogi

Alongside the public felicitation, a special interaction session was arranged for Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to meet 13 distinguished retired Army officers and jawans representing multiple regiments and corps, in addition to Brigadier SC Johar, former Commander of the Western Uttar Pradesh Sub Area (from the era when the Sub Area was commanded by a Brigadier-rank officer):

Strengthening Welfare and Honoring Western UP's Glorious Military Heritage

Organized by the Western Uttar Pradesh Sub Area at the historic Meerut Cantonment stadium, the Mega Veterans Rally embodied the Indian Army’s enduring ethos of "Once a Soldier, Always a Soldier." Publicly honoring Veer Naris and martyr families in front of thousands of attendees not only conveyed the nation’s gratitude but also inspired younger generations across western Uttar Pradesh to uphold traditions of patriotism and service. At the same time, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s direct dialogue with retired generals, commanding officers, and jawans created an open channel for veterans to share their grassroots experiences, healthcare and pension feedback, and welfare expectations directly with the state government.