The first of its kind, Veer Yatra is a noble Indian Military tourism initiative. Launched by a body of ex-servicemen from Indian Army in the state of Maharashtra, Veer Yatra is a walk through the military history of India, which dates back to the year 1857 when Sepoy Mutiny, the first War of Independence, took place.
Veer Yatra, which is a nationwide tour of Indian Military camps, colleges, memorials and museums, began today. The Maharashtra Ex-servicemen Corporation (MESCO) undertook the initiative to revive the glory of Indian Military which has immensely contributed to the world history and played a significant role in many historic wars including the First and Second World Wars.
MESCO’s Indian Military Tourism project is aimed at bridging the gap between the military establishment and civilian population of the country. Veer Yatra is full of opportunities for people to explore and experience the world of Indian armed forces from close quarters, thereby imbibing sense of patriotism or rekindling their love for the country.
War memorials, border posts, naval bases, defense academies, army workshops, army hospitals, army colleges, warfare art centers, war museums, air force stations and military hostels fall under the purview of Indian Military Tourism. Veer Yatra also includes a tour of Indian Army posts on Indo-Pakistan and Indo-China borders. Civilians will be introduced to military operations and army survival techniques too.
Another great purpose of Indian Military Tourism is generating employment for retired servicemen and widows of martyrs through Veer Yatra tours across the country. MESCO’s motto is rehabilitation of physically sound, disciplined and efficient ex-servicemen from Indian armed forces. The heroic stories of Indian Army in precarious terrains, hostile circumstances and extreme atmospheric conditions are worth knowing by the youth of India.
Since British Indian Army was renamed Indian Army post independence in 1947, the military power has been the defense backbone of India in the First Indo-Pakistan / Kashmir War of 1947, the annexation of Hyderabad or Operation Polo of 1948, the annexation of Goa in 1961, medical assistance during the 1950-53 Korean War, the Sino-Indian War of 1962, the Indo-Pakistan War of 1965, the Sino-Indian Conflict of 1967, the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971, the 1971 Anti-Naxalite Operation, the Siachen Conflict of 1984, the Kargil War of 1999 and United Nations’ Peacekeeping Missions.
The Indian Military Tourism initiative comprises different tours for different age-groups.
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