The Consulate General of India, launched a new initiative #VaristhYoddha to felicitate ex-servicemen above the age of 90 years (residing in the jurisdiction of Consulate General of India, Toronto) These ex-servicemen served in the Indian Army, Navy, or Air Force and had migrated to Canada.
In COVID times, keeping the social distancing guidelines and the health of the veterans into consideration, Consul General and Consulate officials visited the veterans at their residence to felicitate them. Consul General Ms. Apoorva Srivastava presented them with a memento and a shawl as a token of appreciation for their service to the nation. The family members of the veterans also had the opportunity to be part of the felicitation.
The following ex-servicemen were felicitated:
- Commander Joginder Gei. He was born on 14 Aug 1922. He joined the then ROYAL INDIAN NAVY in 1941. He served onboard warships during World War II around Indian Oceans as well in the Persian Gulf, mostly escorting oil tankers. After the war, he was sent to the Royal Navy in the UK for a year’s course. He retired in 1966 and migrated to Canada. He is 98 years old.
- Major Darshan Singh Sanghera. He was born on 01 Sep 1929. He joined the Indian Army as Sepoy on 07 Oct 1947in Regiment of Artillery. He has been an Instructor in Gunnery at School of Arty, Deolali. He got Emergency Commission in 1963 and thereafter served in Regiment of Arty. He participated in 1962, 1965, and 1971 Wars and finally retired in 1984. After his retirement from the Indian Army he migrated to Canada. He is 91 years old.
- Captain Bakshish Singh Randhawa. He was born on 05 Aug 1922. He joined the British Indian Army in 1940 in the 14 Punjab ( Nabha Akal) Regiment. He fought in WW-II. He also participated in the war with Pakistan in 1965. He retired in 1972. He is 98 years old.
- Captain Mohinder Singh. He was born on 02 Oct 1917. He joined the Regiment of Artillery on 30 March 1948and also participated in 1962, 1965, and 1971 wars against China and Pakistan. He retired from Army in 1977 and then migrated to Canada. He is 103 years old.
- Subedar Major Pritam Singh Dhaliwal. He was born on 01 May 1928. He was recruited into Bengal Sappers (engineers) on 19 March 1948. He served in Latah during the 1962 War with China. He also took part in 1965 and 1971 wars with Pakistan. He was later transferred to Military Engineering Service (MES). He retired in 1976 and then served in Educational Institutes prior to migrating to Canada. He is 92 years old.
- Subedar Gajjan Singh Mavi. He was born on 16 Sep 1930. He joined Army in 1949 in EME Corps. He also participated in 1962, 1965, and 1971 wars. He left Army in 1972. He is 90 years old.
- Naib Subedar Gurdial Singh Grewal. He was born on 28 Nov 1923. He joined Army in 1941 in ASC. He participated in WW-II in Burma Theatre. He also was part of the UN Expeditionary Force and has served in Congo from 1962 to 1963. He participated in 1965 war and then retired in 1969. He is 97 years old.
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The Consulate is working towards continuing this initiative and felicitating more ex-servicemen for their services to the nation.