NEW DELHI: Around 350 ex-servicemen representatives from 28 states and 8 Union Territories across the country will participate, with extensive deliberations on ex-servicemen welfare, national service, social service, organizational expansion and upcoming social initiatives and welfare schemes for ex-servicemen.
The 27th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Akhil Bharatiya Poorva Sainik Seva Parishad (ABPSSP) is scheduled to be held from October 2 to 4, 2026 at Shri Kshetra Kaneri Math in Kolhapur, Maharashtra – a place renowned for its holy, spiritual and rich tradition of social work.
About 350 delegates from various states of the country will participate in the three-day national convention. This includes office bearers at state and district levels, ex-servicemen, representatives of families of ex-servicemen and workers associated with various initiatives of the organization. Ex-servicemen from various parts of Maharashtra and especially from Kolhapur region will also be included in this national meeting.
Behind the work of ABPSSP is the concept of using the experience, discipline, leadership, dedication of the ex-servicemen for the broader benefit of society and the nation. The idea of having a platform for national service and social commitment for ex-servicemen started in 1992 in Uttar Pradesh as Poorva Sainik Seva Parishad.
This idea expanded across the country and the first All India convention was held in November 1995. Later, on 14th September 1999, the All India organization was formally registered in Delhi as Akhil Bharatiya Poorva Sainik Seva Parishad.
In more than three decades, the Parishad has established its organizational network in 28 states and 8 Union Territories, and its work is ongoing in many states and districts.
The basic viewpoint of the Parishad is that a soldier retires from uniform, but never retires from the service of the nation. The disciplined life, leadership ability, management experience, team spirit and nationalism gained after long service in the Indian Armed Forces – using these qualities in various fields of society is the central focus of the Parishad’s work.
The Parishad established Sainik Parivar Kalyan Nyas in 2001.Through this, work is done for the welfare of families of soldiers who sacrificed their lives in war or anti-terrorist operations, along with families of needy ex-servicemen. Providing financial assistance for higher education, professional and technical education to children of ex-servicemen, scholarships, and financial help to needy Veer Naris are important parts of this work.
The Parishad has helped soldiers injured in war and their families on various occasions. After the 1999 Kargil War, national-level work was done to provide necessary assistance to injured soldiers in hospitals and to provide financial help and Sanman Patra to families of Kargil martyrs. During the 2002 national military mobilization, the Parishad was also given the responsibility of carrying the mortal remains of martyred soldiers to their families.
Preserving the memory of the freedom struggle and military history is also important in the Parishad’s work. The flag yatra taken out from Moirang in Manipur to the Red Fort in Delhi in April 1997 was an important milestone.This yatra inspired the Netaji-Azad Hind Sena Memorial Nyas initiative.
The Parishad and related organizations celebrate Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Jayanti, Azad Hind Sena Day and other national memorial days in various states every year. The aim is to reach the history of the freedom struggle, contribution of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and sacrifices made for the nation to students in schools and colleges.
Among the notable initiatives of the Parishad is the Veer Sainik Gram Gaurav Yojana.The idea behind this initiative is to honour the memory of Veer soldiers,gallantry award winners and martyrs who showed valour during war or peacetime at their birthplace, along with driving the social development of that village.
The 27th National AGM will be inaugurated by Maj Gen Dhananjay Joshi AVSM, VSM, Commandant Infantry School. On this occasion, National President Lt Gen Vishnukant Chaturvedi, All India sah Prachar Pramukh of RSS and Margdarshak of the organization Pradeep Joshi, President of Maharashtra and Goa Air Marshal Pradeep Bapat and other national and state officials and sainik members will be present. This 27th National AGM to be held at Kolhapur is not just an organizational meeting, but an important initiative that brings together ex-servicemen from across the country on a national platform.
Interaction among ex-servicemen coming from various parts of the country and local ex-servicemen from Maharashtra,exchange of experiences,mutual cooperation and organizational coordination will be another important aspect of this national meeting. A rare photo exhibition of the 1971 war will be organized by Namaste Shaurya Foundation, Mumbai. A colourful cultural program has also been organized on the evening of 3rd October for the guests.
The selection of Shri Kshetra Kaneri Math, Kolhapur for this national convention is of special importance. Apart from spiritual tradition,Kaneri Math is known for various initiatives related to social, educational, rural development and self-reliance.Therefore, this organization in the land of service and values, of ex-servicemen who have a long tradition of national service, gives special meaning to the event.
The three-day national meeting will conclude on 4th October 2026 and the state’s Minister Shambhuraj Desai will be present as the Chief Guest. On this occasion, felicitation of ex-servicemen participating from across the country, deliberation on future direction of national service and organizational work, and emphasis on strengthening the resolve of national integration and national service will be made.
This national meeting being held on the soil of Maharashtra is also an important opportunity for ex-servicemen in the state.This meeting underlines the importance in terms of increasing direct dialogue between ex-servicemen from Maharashtra and ex-servicemen organizations working in various parts of the country, sharing information about working methods in various states and promoting future joint initiatives.
Working with the spirit of “Nation First – Seva, Sahas and Samman”, bringing together ex-servicemen and using their experience and strength for nation building, the 27th National Meeting is expected to give a new direction to the Parishad’s efforts.
