Mumbai, Jan 27 (IANS): Fifteen disabled Indian Army soldiers were felicitated by the Sri Shanmukhananda Fine Arts & Sangeetha Sabha to mark the 71st R-Day celebrations, an official said here on Monday.

As part of the Shanmukhananda's annual tradition, this year each soldier disabled in action was honoured with a cheque of Rs 1 lakh each, and mementos at the hands of Lt. Gen. S.K. Prashar, GOC-in-C, Maharashtra, Gujarat & Goa.

The Sabha President V. Shankar said that till date, the organization has honoured 43 soldiers who have been incapacitated while defending the nation.

While the Sabha honours the families of martyrs who have sacrificed their lives for the cause of the nation every year on August 15, Independence Day, it has also made a contribution of Rs 10 lakh each to the Paraplegic Unit of the Indian Army and the Artificial Limb Centre, both in Pune, said Shankar.

Lt. Gen. Prashar said that January 26 and August 15 remind us all that "we are the citizens of this country and these national days bring us together in the celebrations".

"Such functions to honour the army personnel bring confidence in the minds of other soldiers that the 'Society is with Us' in times of need. Although no amount of money or material can actually help wounded warriors or soldiers' widows, the emotional support of the society and the feelings for them truly helps heal their wounds," Lt. Gen. Prashar said.

Sabha spokesperson K.A. Viswanathan said the Sabha has forged "a unique partnership with the armed forces, and it is the first time that a civil society engaged in furthering fine arts joins hands with the armed forces to celebrate Independence Day and Republic Day, and work for the welfare of the armed forces personnel and their families".