'Veer Rakt': A Legacy of Blood, Courage, and Continuity — Soldier Families Launch National Blood Donor Repository on Mother's Day

May 15, 2025 - 16:39

New Delhi | May 15, 2025 : In a deeply emotional tribute to both motherhood and military sacrifice, the Veernari Shakti Resettlement Foundation (VSRF) has launched “Veer Rakt”, a National Blood Donation Repository, led by India’s 7 Lakh Soldier Widows (Veernaris) and their approx. 15 Lakh Children, spread across rural villages that continue to raise the country's bravest. This poignant initiative was unveiled on Mother’s Day, symbolizing a transformation of grief into nation-building.

Unlike isolated blood donation camps, Veer Rakt is a sustained, structured National Blood Donor Registry—a living symbol of healing from the Braveheart Shaheed Families who have already given everything. The Continuous campaign draws attention to the resilience of Soldier Families, who are too often forgotten except on national holidays or during high-impact tragedies. Launched amidst Operation Sindoor after the Pahalgam Terror attack, this initiative calls for Global Attention to the sacrifices these families make.

Recent families from the Operation Sindoor who are receiving immediate psychological Grief Counselling and Long-Term Support from VSRF. These include the families of:

Braveheart Lance Naik Dinesh Kumar Sharma
Braveheart Agniveer Murali Naik
Braveheart Sepoy Amit Chaudhary
Braveheart Havaldar Suraj Singh Yadav
Braveheart Sub-Inspector Mohd Imteyaj (BSF)
Braveheart Airman Kamal Kamboj (IAF)

The Pahalgam Terror Victims, including Veernari Charo Kathua (Arunachal Pradesh) and Veernari Himanshi (Haryana), both recently widowed, have also received immediate Grief & Trauma Counselling and procedural aid within 05 hours of their loss.

Beyond the Veer Rakt repository, in a global first, the VeerNari Shakti Resettlement Foundation has redefined soldier-family support by enabling Soldier Widows to lead critical interventions—from Guard of Honour ceremonies and trauma news delivery, to real-time Grief Counselling, Life-Goal Mentoring, and even rehabilitation counselling inside Women’s Prisons (Tihar Central Jail). The Foundation has also conceptualised and executed over 30 offline workshops for Serving Soldiers and their wives inside Defence Camps, and conducted the first-ever self-defence workshops for Women Soldiers of India’s Paramilitary Forces—setting a new benchmark in dignity-driven, peer-led care.

In another Global first, the VeerNari Shakti Resettlement Foundation empowered Indian Army VeerNari Suguna ( from Special Forces ) to become Indian Government-registered DGCA Drone Pilot - securing her a dignified placement with Flipkart since 2022.

VSRF has institutionalized Weekly Online Counselling Sessions, Career Guidance, and Life-Goal Planning Workshops for Veernaris, Disabled Soldiers, and their children. Led by Veernaris for Veernaris, these sessions create a peer-to-peer support system that empowers families to build sustainable futures.

The sessions have featured Retired Senior Women Army Officers and Gallantry Awardees such as Param Vir Chakra recipient Hony. Captain Yogendra Yadav, who is a resolute supporter of the foundation. “Martyrdom is not an end, but a beginning,” said Captain Yadav. Col. Sonam Wangchuk, Maha Veer Chakra (MVC) also known as the Lion of Ladakh, has also voiced his support for Veernaris, highlighting the importance of self-reliance, entrepreneurship, and identity restoration.

VSRF’s mentorship network also includes retired DRDO and ISRO Scientists, Surgeons, Senior Defence officers, and High Court Judges, all offering their expertise to guide the academic and Career Paths of Martyr Children.

About the Foundation

Conceived post-Operation Vijay (Kargil War) in 1999 by Mr. Prashant Tewari, son of (Late) Major Bhupendra Shankar Tewari, a war-disabled Indian Army Officer, who fought both the 1965 & 1971 Indo-Pak wars. Veernari Shakti Resettlement Foundation (VSRF) is a unique Global initiative. Registered with the United Nations, VSRF operates across India and other Military Forces worldwide, having empowered over 25,000 Soldier Families. VSRF ensures dignity and sustainable livelihoods for Veernaris, Disabled Soldiers, Retired Foot Soldiers (Lowest Ranks) and their children through Weekly Counselling, Training, Employment, and Entrepreneurial Support.

Join this Global Movement

The foundation invites patriotic citizens to join the Veer Rakt initiative by nominating themselves for the blood donor registry or sponsoring a Veernari’s journey. Every act of support counts, contributing to a legacy of hope and resilience.

Call to Action

Patriotic citizens: Register in the Veer Rakt Blood Donor Repository.
Corporate CSR wings: Sponsor digital infrastructure, mobile blood banks, and skill-building workshops.
Educational institutions: Engage martyr families in tribute-based awareness.
Media: Help raise awareness about the silent struggle of Veernaris.
Public citizens: Sponsor a Veernari’s journey.