Former Navy chief, admiral (retd) DK Joshi who is currently the lieutenant governor of Andamans and Nicobar Islands has donated all his funds for the bravery decorations he has received from the government to the Uttarakhand War Memorial.
He has recently agreed to be the patron of the war memorial. Late Manohar Parrikar was the founder patron and presently the Uttarakhand chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat is also a patron.
The war memorial chairman Tarun Vijay informed that admiral Joshi has been awarded various military honours and receives annual annuities to the tune of about Rs 90,900.
Admiral Joshi has written to the Uttarakhand chief minister stating that all his regular income from these annuities, which come to him through state govt's Sainik Kalyan department must be permanently diverted to the Uttarakhand War Memorial under Direct Benefit Transfer scheme.
In his moving letter he has stated to the CM, "This communication may please be treated as my Authority Letter cum Pre-Receipt and annuity amount becoming due to me credited directly to the Trust (War Memorial).”
He said, “During nearly 43 years of service in white uniform, culminating as Chief of the Naval Staff, I was privileged and fortunate to have been awarded five medals .
Being a domicile of the State, I have been receiving ‘Annuity’ for these medals from Uttarakhand government, through the Directorate of Sainik Kalyan Evam Punarvas. I intend to contribute my current and all subsequent annuities due from the Uttarakhand government towards the Uttarakhand War Memorial Trust, in an arrangement similar to Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).”
The former Navy chief said, “I consider myself privileged for this opportunity of paying homage to sacrifices made by the brave sons/daughters of Uttarakhand in the security of our nation and to modestly contribute towards the cause of the memorial trust.”Commenting on this gesture the memorial chairman Tarun Vijay said that this is a warrior's salute for the martyred soldiers and an inspiring announcement by a highly decorated former Naval chief who is the icon of highest integrity and valour in the nation.
