Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on Monday said his government will do its best for the welfare of veterans in the State.
In all districts
Speaking after opening a district-level Sainik rest house built by the Department of Sainik Welfare at a cost of Rs. 1.28 crore at Kakkanad, Mr. Chandy recounted the measures taken by the government for the welfare of the veterans. Sainik rest houses were being built in all districts and so far five had been constructed. Kottayam would have one soon, Mr. Chandy said.
Excise Minister K. Babu, Thrikkakara MLA, Benny Behanan and Commodore M.R. Ajay Kumar, commanding officer, INS Venduruthy, spoke at the event.
Honoured
As part of the opening of the Sainik resthouse, an `Aadhara Sandhya' was held to honour prominent veterans and the widows of the soldiers who had died on the battle field.
Chief Minister Chandy presented ponnadas to Shyama Sasikumar, widow of Col. K.P. Sasikumar (Veera Chakra) and Sarada Das, widow of Sreedhara Das (Veera Chakra).
He also honoured Vice Admiral (retd) R.P. Suthan, former vice-chief of the Navy; Col. KBR Pillai (retd); film maker Major Ravi (retd); film actor Capt. Raju (retd); Capt. K.R. Sukumaran (retd); Mercy Kuttan and M.V. Thampan.