Surat, (Gujarat) [India]:In honor of the brave soldiers who tirelessly defend the nation, various government offices, voluntary organizations, companies, and citizens of Surat district contributed a substantial amount of Rs. 63 lakhs during the Armed Forces Flag Day 2023-24. This act of gratitude towards the heroic soldiers was marked by a ceremony at the District Service Sadan, where Resident Additional Collector Vijay Rabari honored the organizations that made significant contributions.
The event also acknowledged the top donors from government, semi-government, and private sectors, who were presented with shields and certificates for their participation in the Armed Forces Flag Day celebrations.
Congratulating the donors, Resident Additional Collector Vijay Rabari expressed his appreciation for the efforts made by institutions, government offices, schools, colleges, and companies to support soldiers and the families of martyrs. He emphasized the importance of standing by those soldiers who protect the nation’s borders day and night, urging citizens to continue their generosity for this noble cause.
Surat Municipal Corporation was recognized for its top contribution of Rs. 12.59 lakhs, followed by Reliance Industries Ltd., Surat, with Rs. 7.12 lakhs, and the Superintendent of Police’s office, which collected Rs. 6.29 lakhs. The Commissioner of Police’s office contributed Rs. 4.93 lakhs, while L&T Heavy Engineering Department, Hazira, secured the fifth position with Rs. 3.29 lakhs.
Assistant District Soldier Welfare and Rehabilitation Officer Divyesh Kumar Murlivala encouraged further financial contributions, noting that donations could be made in cash, draft, or cheque at the District Soldier Welfare and Rehabilitation Office located behind Gaurav Senani Bhavan, Abhinandan Residency, Sarathana.
It is noteworthy that the Surat Rehabilitation Office currently has 1,869 registered ex-servicemen, 404 widows of fallen soldiers, and 6,415 dependents. The collected funds are used to support the rehabilitation of soldiers discharged due to war-related injuries or disabilities, provide financial aid for marriages of ex-servicemen’s daughters, death assistance, and house repair assistance.
In the financial year 2023-24, financial assistance of Rs. 24.73 lakhs was provided in 311 cases involving ex-servicemen and families of martyrs. Among these, Rs. 5.68 lakhs were distributed across 104 pension cases, Rs. 8.03 lakhs to 73 beneficiaries of World War II-related cases, Rs. 7.22 lakhs in 108 cases involving war-injured soldiers, Rs. 1.90 lakhs in six cases of marriage assistance for daughters, and Rs. 1 lakh for 10 death assistance cases.
The event was attended by generous donors, representatives of various organizations, government officials, school and college representatives, company officials, senior clerk of the Soldier Welfare Office Dharmesh Khengar, and media representatives.
