Wreath-Laying Ceremony Honours Fallen Heroes as IESL West Bengal Hosts Statewide Gathering of Ex-Servicemen
New Town, Kolkata, 16 November 2025:
A solemn wreath-laying ceremony at the Shaheed Bedi in Jal Vayu Towers set a dignified tone as the West Bengal Chapter of the Indian Ex-Services League (IESL) brought together nearly 230 Ex-Servicemen (ESM) from across the state- from the Sundarbans to the hills of North Bengal- on Sunday.
Led by Col Apurba Sikdar (Retd), President IESL (WB), office bearers and members paid homage to fallen soldiers before commencing a day of deliberations, interaction and recognition.
The event was graced by former Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha, PVSM, AVSM, VM, D.Litt (Retd), along with senior officers from the Army, Navy and Air Force. Speakers from key welfare-related agencies including ECHS, SPARSH, State Bank of India, and the Rajya Sainik Board briefed attendees on updates affecting veterans’ benefits, documentation, pensions and legal support. The District & Sessions Judge, North 24 Parganas, also addressed welfare-related concerns for the ESM community.
All guest speakers commended IESL West Bengal’s office bearers for their dedicated voluntary service to veterans without any remuneration – a commitment that drew appreciation from the entire gathering.
Following a short tea break, the assembly continued with organisational proceedings, including approval of the audited accounts for FY 2023–24, and presentation of the Annual Report 2024 by the General Secretary. District representatives shared impactful welfare initiatives undertaken across West Bengal, showcasing the chapter’s growing grassroots outreach.
The event concluded with presentation of awards to outstanding individuals and high-performing districts, recognising exceptional service to the veteran community. The programme formally ended at 1400 hours, followed by a community lunch for all participants.
The memorable gathering not only honoured the nation’s martyrs but also reinforced the spirit of camaraderie and continued service that defines the ex-servicemen fraternity.
