NEW DELHI (NEWS VARTA): Air Vice Marshal Alok Sharma, VM, VSM (Retd.), Appointed as President of the Veterans Council, Delhi National Capital Territory (NCT). The appointment was made on 24 October 2026 by Rajiv Agnihotri, Chairman of Veterans Council, for an initial tenure of three years.
Veterans Council was formed pursuant to a resolution of Judicial Council, with the objective of promoting the welfare, dignity, rights, and legitimate interests of military veterans and their families. This appointment marks an important step towards strengthening the Council’s organisational presence in the national capital and establishing a unified platform for addressing the concerns of veterans from all three services of the Indian Armed Forces — the Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force.
A Unified Platform for Veterans of All Three Services
Veterans Council is committed to promoting the welfare of veterans, retired personnel, ex-servicemen, and their families across the Army, Navy, and Air Force. The contributions and sacrifices of military personnel, irrespective of their service, rank, trade, or background, deserve equal respect, recognition, and consideration.
The Council seeks to ensure that the concerns of veterans from every service receive appropriate attention and that their legitimate rights and entitlements are pursued through lawful and constructive means. Its mission encompasses the welfare of retired officers, junior commissioned officers, other ranks, sailors, airmen, and their respective families.
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Veterans may face a range of challenges after retirement, including pension-related grievances, access to healthcare, resettlement, employment, disability-related assistance, family welfare, and delays in the resolution of administrative issues. The Veterans Council aims to facilitate appropriate representation and constructive engagement with the relevant authorities to help address these concerns.
Three-Year Tenure and Responsibilities
The appointment of AVM Alok Sharma VM, VSM (Retd.) for an initial tenure of three years reflects the Council’s intention to provide continuity in leadership and strengthen its welfare initiatives in Delhi NCT.
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As President, Delhi NCT, he will be expected to lead the Council’s activities in the national capital, encourage participation from veterans belonging to all three services, strengthen coordination among veterans’ associations, and facilitate the representation of their concerns before the appropriate authorities.
The Council’s priorities include:- Promoting the welfare, dignity, and lawful rights of Army, Navy, and Air Force veterans., Supporting the resolution of pension-related grievances and the pursuit of legitimate entitlements, Encouraging access to healthcare and appropriate assistance for disabled veterans, Promoting resettlement, rehabilitation, and employment opportunities after retirement, Supporting the welfare of veterans’ widows, dependants, and families Improving awareness of applicable government welfare schemes and entitlements. Strengthening coordination among ex-servicemen’s organisations and veterans’ associations. Encouraging transparent, accountable, and effective grievance-redressal mechanisms.
These objectives will be pursued through appropriate channels and in accordance with applicable laws, rules, and procedures.
Strengthening Veterans’ Representation in Delhi NCT
Delhi, as the national capital, offers an important setting for dialogue with government institutions and authorities dealing with defence personnel and veterans’ welfare. The Veterans Council intends to strengthen its presence in Delhi NCT and promote structured engagement on issues affecting veterans from the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
The Council believes that unity across the three services is essential to effective representation. Differences in service background, rank, or professional experience should not become barriers to cooperation when the shared objective is the welfare and dignity of those who have served the nation.
Under the new leadership, the Council aims to encourage greater participation from veterans across different ranks and services, promote constructive dialogue, and help bring unresolved grievances to the attention of the appropriate authorities.
Commitment to Justice, Dignity and Accountability
The Veterans Council maintains that the welfare of veterans is a matter of national gratitude and collective responsibility. Those who have served in uniform have contributed to protecting India’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national security, often under demanding and challenging circumstances.
Veterans Council is committed to promoting lawful representation, institutional accountability, constructive engagement, and the protection of veterans’ legitimate rights. Its approach will focus on identifying concerns, facilitating appropriate representation, and pursuing practical remedies.
The three-year initial tenure is intended to provide an opportunity for sustained organisational development, stronger engagement with veterans, and the advancement of welfare initiatives throughout Delhi NCT.
A Renewed Commitment to Those Who Served India
The Veterans Council calls upon veterans, ex-servicemen’s associations, public representatives, institutions, and concerned citizens to support initiatives aimed at improving the welfare of military veterans and their families.
The Council reiterates that respect for veterans must extend beyond ceremonial recognition. It must be reflected in meaningful support, fair consideration of legitimate grievances, access to welfare provisions, and protection of lawful entitlements.
With the appointment of AVM Alok Sharma VM, VSM (Retd.) as President, Delhi NCT, for an initial three-year tenure, the Veterans Council renews its commitment to serving veterans from the Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force without distinction and to promoting unity, dignity, justice, and welfare for all.
RESPECT OUR VETERANS. PROTECT THEIR RIGHTS. HONOUR THEIR SACRIFICES.
