By A Staff Reporter
Kathmandu, Apr. 9: The third and final phase of the ex-servicemen’s conference scheduled during the tenure of Chief of the Army Staff (CoAS) Purna Chandra Thapa concluded, Wednesday.
Inaugurating the conference held at the Valley Division Headquarters at Uttar Dhoka of Kathmandu, CoAS Thapa assured that the organisation would appreciate the heroism and dedication of the retired soldiers. The conference was organised for the ex-servicemen residing in Kathmandu, Bhaktapur and Lalitpur.
He said, "Efforts are being made to expand the access of service recipients to welfare programmes to uplift the living standards of ex-soldiers, single women and other beneficiaries economically and socially."
General Thapa informed that the work to provide COVID-19 vaccine to the soldiers and single women representatives has already begun as per the objective of the organisation.
The army has been holding conferences under the theme 'Education, Health, Facilities and Self-Employment: Basis for Self-Esteem and Prosperity' with the participation of ex-servicemen under the coordination and management of the Army Welfare Board.
He said that the army had been making optimum efforts to address the issue of unemployment by creating self-employment opportunities at home by ending the trend of going abroad for re-employment after retiring from the service.
On the occasion, veterans Nara Bahadur Basnet, 100, and Ganga Devi Thapa Magar, 104, a single woman, were honoured by the army chief.
At the ceremony, seven parents were honoured for inspiring four or more children to serve in the military.
The welfare fund honoured Dattu Prasad Timilsina and spouse of ex-and late soldier Rajan Khatri for becoming the best micro entrepreneurs.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief of the General Staff (CGS) and Lieutenant General Prabhu Ram Sharma said that the ex-servicemen conference had been held as a special tradition for the purpose of enhancing the responsibilities and increasing the happiness and well-being of the retired soldiers and their families.