SUPPORT OUR HEROES (SOH): A NATIONAL MOVEMENT OF GRATITUDE, HOPE AND SERVICE

India is proud of its soldiers. Their courage protects our borders, and their sacrifice keeps the nation safe. But a soldier’s true strength does not come only from the battlefield. It comes from the confidence that when they are injured, retired, or no longer alive, their families will not be forgotten.

This belief is the foundation of Support Our Heroes (SOH) — a pan-India, volunteer-driven organisation working quietly but consistently to support the most vulnerable members of the Defence Veterans Community. SOH focuses on areas where government help is delayed, limited, or not available, ensuring that no veteran or family is left behind.

Today, SOH is recognised as one of India’s most trusted veteran-support initiatives, reaching Ex-Servicemen, war widows, disabled soldiers, medically boarded-out cadets and non-pensioner veterans across the country.

The Story Behind the Mission

Support Our Heroes was founded by Mr Gaurav Shukla, a young man raised in an Army family. He is the son of Subedar Manvendra Shukla, a Kargil War veteran who served the Indian Army for 28 years. Growing up in cantonments across India, Gaurav experienced discipline, pride and sacrifice from a very young age.

Life was not easy. He lost his mother early, and after his father’s retirement, the family survived on a modest pension. To support himself, Gaurav worked night shifts while completing his education through correspondence. Though he dreamed of joining the Army, circumstances did not allow it.

Instead of giving up on service, he chose another way to serve.

With professional training in media and journalism, Gaurav began documenting the real-life struggles of retired soldiers, war widows and disabled veterans—stories that were rarely heard.

A Turning Point: Jantar Mantar, 2016

In 2016, during protests related to One Rank One Pension (OROP) at Jantar Mantar, Gaurav came face to face with the harsh realities faced by veterans and their families. What he saw went far beyond pensions—elderly non-pensioners with no income, widows waiting endlessly for help, and disabled soldiers struggling for dignity.

Using his media skills, he started telling their stories honestly and respectfully. These stories reached thousands through radio and social media, drawing attention from senior veterans, retired officers and concerned citizens.

At the same time, Lt Col R. D. Sharma (Retd) and other senior officers, inspired by the words of Field Marshal K. M. Cariappa, joined hands with him. The belief was simple:

“Never turn away an Ex-Serviceman seeking help.”

This shared spirit gave birth to something much larger than an individual effort.

Birth of Support Our Heroes

In 2017, at just 26 years of age, Gaurav Shukla, along with his brother Ranjeet Shukla and highly respected veterans from the Army, Navy and Air Force, formally established Support Our Heroes (SOH).

The mission was clear:

To serve those who once served the nation.

SOH is registered in Delhi and listed on NITI Aayog’s NGO Darpan platform. To ensure complete transparency and public trust, SOH also uses Milaap.org, one of India’s most trusted crowdfunding platforms, to raise funds for its welfare projects.

SOH and Milaap: Transparent Public Support

SOH runs verified welfare campaigns on Milaap.org, where citizens can see:

• Purpose of each project
• Funds raised and donors
• Regular progress updates
• Real beneficiary stories

Through Milaap, SOH raises support for:

• Elderly non-pensioner veterans and widows
• Medical treatment and medicines
• Education of children of disabled soldiers
• Emergency relief during floods, disasters and border tensions

Milaap ensures that every donation is traceable and transparent, giving confidence to donors that their contribution reaches the right hands.

Who Does SOH Support?

SOH focuses on last-mile beneficiaries, including:

• Elderly non-pensioner veterans and their widows
• War widows and orphaned children of soldiers
• Disabled soldiers
• Medically boarded-out cadets and trainees
• Veterans affected by natural disasters or border tensions
• Families stuck in long government wait cycles

SOH steps in only when help is urgently needed and no other support is available.

Major Projects of SOH

Project PITHU

Provides lifelong monthly ration support to destitute elderly non-pensioner veterans and widows above 65 years.

Project SEHAT

Supports medical expenses such as doctor visits, tests and medicines for elderly non-pensioner veterans and spouses.

Project SAKSHAM

Supports school education up to Class 12 for children of needy and disabled soldiers.

Project SASHAKT

Provides seed funding to Veer Naris and non-pensioner veterans to start small businesses and become self-reliant.

Project INSANIYAT

Provides emergency humanitarian assistance during floods, natural calamities, and war-like situations across regions including J&K, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Ladakh, and other states.

Wing Commander Vinod Nebb Memorial Scholarship

Supports medically boarded-out cadets from NDA, IMA, AFA, NA, OTA and PBOR training institutions with education, skill development and equipment support.

Pan-India Reach and Impact

What started with two beneficiaries in Delhi has grown into a pan-India movement.
SOH has supported 300+ soldiers and families and continues to assist over 150 beneficiaries every month across 20+ states.

SOH regularly participates in Ex-Servicemen Rallies organised by the Indian Army, providing on-ground assistance and guidance to veterans and their families.

Financial Transparency and Public Support

Over the last 8 years, this NGO has spent ₹1.10 crore+ on veteran welfare.
Currently, it spends over ₹2 lakh every month on ongoing support programmes.

Funding comes from:

• Serving personnel
• Retired veterans and their families
• Patriotic civilians
• Public contributions through Milaap.org
• Occasional CSR and self-help group support

How You Can Help Support Our Heroes

You can support SOH in the following ways:

Donate via Milaap (Most Transparent Way)

• Visit www.milaap.org
• Search for “Support Our Heroes”
• Choose a project and donate securely via UPI, card or net banking

Spread Awareness

• Share SOH’s Milaap campaigns
• Encourage ethical and verified support for veterans

Even a small contribution or share can change a veteran’s life.

National Recognition

SOH’s work has been formally acknowledged by:

• The Hon’ble President of India
• Governors and Chief Ministers of multiple states
• Senior Armed Forces officers
• Ministry of Defence offices
• Renowned personalities from cinema and media

These recognitions honour a selfless team working quietly for the nation’s heroes.

A Vision Rooted in Gratitude

Founder Gaurav Shukla often says:

“My father gave his youth to the nation. I grew up in the Army environment.”

His vision is to inspire citizens to support soldiers not only with words, but with action.

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Conclusion: A Salute Beyond the Battlefield

Support Our Heroes is not just an organisation.
It is a promise—that no soldier, widow or veteran will feel forgotten.

From remote villages to border areas, SOH continues to serve with humility, discipline and compassion.

Support Our Heroes is a movement of gratitude.
A movement of action.
A movement of India standing with its soldiers.

JAI HIND