Lieutenant Colonel Joy Choudhury (Retd.) was honored with the prestigious Veterans Achievers Award by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) on 19th February 2025 at HQ Eastern Command, Fort William, Kolkata, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to veteran welfare, rural development, and nation-building. His commitment to empowering ex-servicemen, revitalizing rural economies, and promoting sustainable growth in Nagaland has set a high standard for post-retirement service to the nation.
Currently serving as the Deputy Director and Secretary of the Zila Sainik Board, Mokokchung, Nagaland, Lt. Col. Choudhury has played a key role in helping veterans transition to civilian life. His efforts to reconnect them with their roots while offering modern skill development span sectors such as agriculture, entrepreneurship, and community service. Through his ESM Outreach Mission, he has ensured that veterans, some of whom had been out of touch for decades, receive the support and recognition they deserve. His work with elderly veterans, including a 98-year-old World War II veteran, underscores his dedication to their welfare.
A strong advocate for sustainable agriculture, Lt. Col. Choudhury has helped veterans start agri-businesses after initial training, focusing on rural initiatives like pig breeding, fisheries, poultry farming, mushroom cultivation, and eco-tourism in villages such as Tuli and Mongsenyimti.
As Deputy Director and Secretary of the Zila Sainik Board, he is also working to establish Nagaland’s first Integrated Sainik Complex, an initiative of the Ministry of Defence, which will house the Zila Sainik Board, Mokokchung, and the Ex-Servicemen Polyclinic, Mokokchung. In the future, it may also include canteen services, providing veterans with essential healthcare and welfare support.
Recognizing the importance of financial independence, Lt. Col. Choudhury has initiated skill development and entrepreneurship programs for veterans’ families in collaboration with the Army Skill Training Centre, the State Institute of Hotel Management in Dimapur, and other organizations. These programs, which include training in tailoring, candle-making, pottery, and food processing, aim to create sustainable employment opportunities for veterans and their families. His social commitment also extends to waste management initiatives with the Mokokchung Municipal Council, blood donation drives with the Blood Bank and the Voluntary Blood Donors Association, and skill development for prison inmates to help them reintegrate into society.
Lt. Col. Choudhury has also focused on financial literacy for veterans and their families, ensuring they are equipped to make informed financial decisions. By collaborating with financial service firms, he has helped many veterans improve their financial management skills. His advocacy for policies benefiting ex-servicemen has seen him actively engage with government bodies and stakeholders to push for reforms. Additionally, his efforts have improved educational opportunities for the children of veterans through scholarship programs.
Beyond his military and social work, Lt. Col. Choudhury is making a literary contribution. His upcoming biography, “A Road Less Travelled: A Naga’s Military Journey Through Life – Lieutenant Colonel I Imti Maken,” tells the story of the first Naga officer from Nagaland to command an Indian Armed Forces unit. Set for release in 2025, the book aims to inspire young people and highlight the remarkable contributions of Naga servicemen to the Indian Army.