India, Jan. 15 -- Around 4,200 veterans from the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force attended the 10th Defence Forces Veterans Day celebrations at Air Force Station Pune on Wednesday, where senior army officials highlighted the growing role of veterans in military operations and the expansion of welfare initiatives such as Project NAMAN.

The day is observed annually to honour Field Marshal K M Cariappa, the first Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army, who retired on January 14, 1953. A wreath-laying ceremony was held to pay tribute to soldiers who laid down their lives in the service of the nation.

Addressing the gathering, Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Command, said veterans had played an act...