How an RSS inspired organisation is working with ex-servicemen
Updated: June 11, 2025 13:38
With around 60,000 army personnel retiring every year, the Akhil Bhartiya Poorva Sainik Seva Parishad (ABPSSP), an organisation inspired by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), is working to bring the ex-servicemen together to leverage their skills and knowledge in the area of national security and community development.
Headed by Lieutenant General VK Chaturvedi (retired), the ABPSSP is an organisation of ex-servicemen, founded in 1992 in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It was registered as an all-India body under the Societies Registration Act in 1999. The ABPSSP has been recognised by the Indian Ministry of Defence and has an impressive outreach in rural as well as urban areas. It has state and district level units which work at the grassroots.
The core objectives of the ABPSSP are- to inspire the ex-servicemen to contribute to national integration, harmony and internal security; to engage them in sectors such as education, healthcare, sanitation and rural development, especially in rural and remote areas, to resettle ex-servicemen and their families and to resolve problems faced by the retirees.
“ABPSSP is actively involved in bringing together former service personnel, on a ‘non-political platform’, without distinction of rank and service. Our endeavour is to channelise their ingrained discipline, collective positive energy, dedication and devotion to duty, besides talent and experience as also patriotism of the highest order in interest of the nation and society, including that of the families of ESM (ex-service men) all over India, particularly in remote/rural areas,” its official website states.
ABPSSP organises a number of programmes of historical significance, including Netaji Subhash Jayanti, Azad Hind Fauj Day and Kargil Vijay Diwas to promote patriotic values and community participation. Netaji Subhash Jayanti is celebrated on his birthday on 23 January. Awareness programmes aimed at actualising Netaji’s vision of free India are organised by the ABPSSP. Similarly, Azad Hind Fauj Divas is commemorated on 14 April each year by unfurling of the national flag at the Indian National Army (INA) headquarters in Moirang, Manipur. “On that day in 1944, the INA, after having liberated a part of British India in the then Assam Province, had hoisted the tricolour at the INA headquarters at Moirang, Manipur. This day is celebrated in most of the states to make the youth of the country aware of the important role played by the INA in our freedom struggle and inculcate the spirit of sacrifice for the nation,” the ABPSSP stated on its website.
Considering the historic importance of this great victory, the ABPSSP also undertakes a Yatra to Moirang every year to participate in various programmes organised by the Manipur state government to commemorate the day which also happens to be their State Day. “Moirang is the place in Manipur where the headquarters of INA was located during the second world war in 1944. The INA had overpowered the mighty British forces on the mainland of India by capturing important places of Churachandpur, Moirang and Imphal,” the website states.
Vijay Divas is celebrated on 16 December to commemorate India’s victory over Pakistan during Indo-Pak war in 1971. “Awareness about importance of national security, as also, imparting knowledge about our defence services and inculcating pride in the minds of citizens of our country, is the main purpose of celebrating this day,” reads its website.
A week-long Kargil Yatra is undertaken in June every year from Srinagar to Kargil in Ladakh. Ex-servicemen from all the three wings of defence forces visit Srinagar-Dras-Kargil to pay homage to the martyrs.
The ABPSSP has been actively working to provide support to the families of the retired defence personnel. It has created Sainik Parivar Kalyan Nyas, a trust which looks after the families of ex-servicemen, particularly those who sacrificed their lives during war or counter insurgency operations. Set up in 2001, the trust provides financial assistance to the children of the ex-servicemen to help them continue their college or pursue professional or technical education. It also provides scholarships to ex-servicemen’s children and financial assistance to their widows. Apart from providing monetary support, the retired military personnel participate in voluntary service programmes to contribute to the society.
All retired ex-servicemen who are either pensioners or have become physically disabled due to war or service-related injuries can become members of ABPSSP. The membership fee has been fixed at a nominal Rs 100.
ABPSSP is an inspiring example of how India’s veterans by upholding the ideals of service, sacrifice and patriotism are contributing to nation building and social progress.
(The writer is a senior journalist)
