Nepal Army Continues Tradition of Ex-Servicemen Reunions to Strengthen Welfare and Camaraderie

Kathmandu. The Nepal Army has been organizing the Ex-Servicemen Conference since 2070 BS to facilitate reunions among approximately 90,000 retired personnel.

'Once a soldier, always a soldier' remains the guiding principle, as the Army Welfare Fund continues to ensure the education and health of the dependents of retired soldiers.

The Ex-Servicemen Conference, held once during each Chief of Army Staff's tenure, is conducted in three phases over three years to ensure a systematic and scientific approach across all provinces. The theme for this year's conference is 'Commitment of the Ex-Servicemen Conference: Reunion, Welfare of Beneficiaries, and Sustainability of the Fund'.

Army Spokesperson Brigadier General Rajaram Basnet stated that the conference aims to provide renewed energy to retired personnel, share experiences, foster closeness between active and retired soldiers, and gather feedback to improve welfare services. The event also serves as a tribute to the service and dedication of veterans to the nation and the Nepal Army.

The conference promotes brotherhood and a sense of belonging among veterans and their families, while addressing welfare needs such as education, health, self-employment, and housing to improve their socio-economic status.

These gatherings have proven to be a milestone in creating a network of dedicated veterans and widows, fostering collaboration between active and retired personnel, and facilitating direct interaction between veterans and the Chief of Army Staff.

This year's conference is expected to host 33,000 attendees from Lumbini, Gandaki, Madhesh, and Bagmati provinces, scheduled in four phases during the third and fourth weeks of Chaitra and the first week of Baisakh.

The event will be held across 34 districts from Chaitra 22 to Baisakh 4, covering regions under the Mid-Western, Western, and Mid-Eastern Divisional Headquarters.

The Ex-Servicemen Conference holds significant importance in enhancing the trust and confidence of beneficiaries. By addressing concerns directly at the local level, the leadership aims to refine welfare services and ensure the dignity and self-respect of all retired personnel and their families.