Kerala is home to 1,80,000-plus ex-servicemen and women, the sixth-largest veteran community in India. Behind them stand families that bear the weight of sacrifice with grace and resilience. The Department of Sainik Welfare, Government of Kerala, exists to honour and support these veterans, ex-servicemen, widows, and dependents. But to truly transform gratitude into tangible service, outreach must be strengthened, access simplified, and engagement deepened.

With the launch of weone — a hyper-local, socially committed digital platform supported by the Kerala Local Self-Government Department — a powerful opportunity arises to bring Sainik Welfare closer to those who need it most. Embedding the department’s services into the weone app can bridge long-standing gaps, deliver timely support, and create a more inclusive governance experience for our defence families.

Direct Access to Schemes and Benefits

One of the primary functions of the Department of Sainik Welfare is to implement welfare schemes for ex-servicemen and their dependents. These include financial assistance for education, marriage grants, medical aid, housing benefits, self-employment loans, and more.

Yet, many beneficiaries — especially those in rural or hilly areas — remain unaware of what they are entitled to, or find the application process complex. With weone:

·         Veterans can easily browse and understand available schemes, eligibility criteria, and required documents.

·         The app can offer direct application submission, status tracking, and real-time notifications.

·         Families of deceased personnel can receive guidance and assistance in accessing pensions and death-related benefits with dignity and transparency.

This digitization brings government closer to every soldier’s home, removing red tape and replacing it with respect.

Hyper-local Updates and Engagement

A unique feature of the weone app is its hyper-local focus. For veterans residing in various districts or panchayats, this means:

·         Localized announcements of welfare camps, pension adalats, job fairs for ex-servicemen, and community events.

·         Push notifications in Malayalam or English informing users about registration deadlines, changes in policy, or available counseling services.

·         A direct line of communication with district-level Sainik Welfare Officers.

Such timely and relevant updates empower ex-servicemen to stay informed, connected, and engaged with government efforts meant for them.

Employment and Reskilling Opportunities

The transition from military to civilian life can be challenging. While many ex-servicemen have valuable skills, matching them to jobs in the public or private sector requires awareness and access. Through integration with weone, the department can:

·         Share curated job listings from state government, PSUs, and private firms that prioritize veterans.

·         Promote training and reskilling programs tailored for retired personnel.

·         Enable ex-servicemen to create digital profiles, submit applications, and receive interview alerts — all from their phones.

For young retirees who still have productive years ahead, this can open new doors to financial independence and social contribution.

Support for Defence Widows and Dependents

The spouses and children of martyred or deceased soldiers often navigate bureaucratic hurdles alone. Integrating the Department of Sainik Welfare into weone would offer:

·         A digital support desk where widows can ask questions, submit documents, or book appointments with welfare officers.

·         Access to education scholarships for children, widow pension application assistance, and psychological support services.

·         Verified content and videos that explain procedures in simple terms —ensuring clarity, not confusion.

This compassionate digital bridge ensures that those left behind are not forgotten.

Creating a Digital Honour Board

weone can also serve a symbolic function. A section of the app could showcase:

·         Profiles of decorated Keralite soldiers, war heroes, and martyrs.

·         Stories of courage and service, submitted by users or curated by the department.

·         A calendar of national events — like Kargil Vijay Diwas or Armed Forces Flag Day — inviting citizens to participate in remembrance.

This fosters respect and awareness among the general public, especially the youth, about the lives and sacrifices of our uniformed men and women.

Strengthening the Social Contract

Beyond benefits and services, embedding the Sainik Welfare Department in weone reinforces a powerful message: those who served the nation will never be left behind. It strengthens the social contract between the state and its veterans, placing honor and accountability at the core of governance.

Moreover, it promotes a two-way interaction:

·         Veterans can share their expertise or volunteer in civic efforts.

·         Citizens can express gratitude, offer support, or connect with veterans in their locality.

In this way, weone becomes more than an app—it becomes a digital salute to service and sacrifice.

Conclusion

As Kerala moves toward inclusive, participatory, and technology-driven governance, bringing the Department of Sainik Welfare onto the weone platform is not just a technological upgrade — it is a moral imperative. It ensures that the needs, dignity, and contributions of defence personnel are recognized and responded to — not just in policy documents, but in the daily lives of the people they protected.

Because those who safeguarded the nation deserve a system that safeguards them in return.