Cuttack: The Kalinga Ex-Servicemen League (KESL) has appealed to President Droupadi Murmu, to permit retired veteransto wear their uniforms again and assist in protecting the nation’s borders. Following a signature campaign at Badambadi Chhak in Cuttack that drew dozens of veterans, KESL submitted a memorandum to the Rashtrapati Bhawan.“Though we have taken off the uniform, our spirit, discipline, and training remain intact. In these critical times, we are once again ready to rise in service. We once gave a blank cheque to the motherland with our lives as the amount, and we are ready to do so again,” said KESL president Dilip Kumar Mohapatra. The appeal comes in the wake of recent security challenges. “If the situation demands, we humbly offer ourselves to be recalled and deployed to serve at the borders, shoulder to shoulder with our serving brothers and sisters in arms,” said navy veteran Kishore Chandra Mohapatra, secretary of KESL.Subedar major Kailash Chandra Dhal echoed these sentiments, stating, “The battlefield may have changed, but the soldier’s heart never rests. We are ready to stand guard once more.” The league, with over 300 members across the state, has proposed to act as a reserve force during times of war or national emergency. The memorandum bears signatures from numerous KESL members, including retired navy, air force, and army personnel. “We don’t seek favour or recognition. This is about duty. We simply want to serve and protect our country again. Our nation needs every capable hand,” added Mohapatra.