General Upendra Dwivedi, the Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) visited the Headquarters Southern Command on the 2nd day of visit to Pune. He reviewed the operational preparedness of the Command and ongoing preparations for the Army Day Parade 2025 which is scheduled to be conducted in Pune for the first time on 15th January 2025.
During the visit, the COAS felicitated two veterans with the Veteran Achievers Award for their exceptional post-retirement contributions. Details of both the veteran achievers are as given below: –
- Colonel Shashikant G Dalvi (Retired): Colonel Shashikant G Dalvi (Retired), commissioned into 21 RAJPUT and later transferred to the Corps of EME in 1972, has dedicated his post-retirement life to water conservation and environmental sustainability. A pioneer in Rainwater Harvesting (RWH), he designed Pune’s first roof top RWH project in 2003, making a housing society tanker-free.
Through his organisation PARJANYA, he has implemented over 650 RWH projects, reducing annual Carbon dioxide emissions by 9,360 tonnes and helping villages and urban areas achieve water self-sufficiency. Actively involved with schools, communities and industries, he has transformed villages, conducted awareness campaigns and addressed policymakers on sustainable water solutions, earning widespread recognition for his impactful work. In the year 2017 and 2019 he was also invited by Ministry of Urban Development to address Members of Parliament on RWH in metropolitan cities and on Kaun Banega Crorepati show to speak on RWH respectively.
- Subedar Clerk (Staff Duties) Suneeth S: Subedar Clerk (Staff Duties) Suneeth S from Army Service Corps was enrolled into the Indian Army on 28th August 1990. He retired on 31st August 2020 after an illustrious 30-year career in the Indian Army. Post retirement he has been instrumental in advancing the welfare of veterans, veer naris and widows through his close association with the Army Veterans Node, Southern Command.
He has provided invaluable assistance with SPARSH documentation, facilitated Digital and Manual Life Certificates for bedridden beneficiaries and supported many in dire need. Additionally, he has also played a key role in organising numerous Ex-servicemen rallies across various districts to enable direct interaction with the veterans and their families, while also facilitating job opportunities for veer naris and widows through the Army Welfare Placement organisation, demonstrating his unwavering dedication to the armed forces community.
Southern Star Idea Innovation Display
The event showcased a dynamic blend of innovations, successful Internal Research and Development (IR&D) projects, and collaborations with the industry. The COAS also witnessed the display. This display served as a platform for showcasing cutting-edge technological advancements, highlighting the Indian Army’s commitment to modernising and enhancing its operational capabilities through innovation and collaboration with the private sector.
The COAS expressed his appreciation for the efforts of the innovators, researchers and industry partners involved in the projects. He commended the forward-thinking approach to developing solutions that address contemporary military challenges and emphasised the critical role that innovations play in maintaining the Army’s strategic edge. The COAS highlighted that such initiatives are vital for sustaining the Army’s operational readiness, ensuring it remains agile and equipped to meet future challenges in an ever-evolving security landscape.
Team BharatShakti
