From now on, retired personnel of the army will be addressed as ‘veterans’, not retired. In Hindi, they will be called ‘gaurav senani’, an army spokesperson said on Monday.
While writing, however, ‘retired’ will still be used. “The word veteran, as opposed to retired, means a person who is experienced or skilled. Even after the personnel have retired a veteran’s skills and experience can still made use of,” the spokesperson said.
The spokesperson added that a new scheme called the ‘assured decent last rite scheme’ (ADLRS) has been launched to ensure that the last rites of personnel who die are completed with respect.
“For this, the family will have to contact, even for financial assistance, the nearest army canteen for logistical support. The pointsperson in the canteen will help make all arrangements,” he said.
The spokesperson added that the plan to build an army national war memorial in the Capital is being processed.