PNB Rakshak Plus Scheme: ₹17 Cr Aid Shows Real Support for Soldiers’ Families
Punjab National Bank (PNB)’s recent move to disburse ₹17.02 crore to the families of 26 martyred defence and paramilitary personnel under the PNB Rakshak Plus Scheme is one such story. It’s not just a financial transaction it’s a statement of remembrance, of honor, of empathy.
As someone who’s grown up seeing uniforms not just as attire but as a symbol of courage, this gesture under the PNB Rakshak Plus Scheme touched a chord. Because behind every uniform is a heartbeat. A family. A silent prayer. A promise made to a nation.
A Scheme That Stands for Something Bigger
PNB Rakshak Plus Scheme isn’t just a benefit policy it’s a bridge between the sacrifices made on the border and the lives left behind at home.
Launched to serve India’s defence, paramilitary, and police personnel, this scheme offers:
- ₹1 crore personal accident insurance
- ₹1.5 crore for death in air accidents
- Support for permanent and partial disabilities
- Special provisions suited for the life-threatening roles of these personnel
This is more than paperwork and policy. It’s planning for the unthinkable so that if tragedy does strike, the family has something to hold onto.
₹17 Crore: A Sum That Speaks
On June 18, 2025, PNB officially announced that it had disbursed ₹17.02 crore under this scheme to the families of 26 brave soldiers who lost their lives in the line of duty. Among them were heroes involved in high-risk operations like Birli Gali.
We often talk about crores in terms of profits or losses. But here, that amount reflects something deeply human.
- One grieving parent who can now afford stability in old age
- One child whose education won’t be compromised
- One spouse who knows their partner’s sacrifice is recognized, not forgotten
Not Just Money, It’s a Message
Binay Gupta, Chief General Manager at PNB, put it best:
“It is our solemn duty to stand by the families of our martyrs. Through the Rakshak Plus Scheme, PNB offers more than financial assistance it serves as a symbol of our respect and enduring support for their immense sacrifices.”
And that’s exactly what this scheme feels likea symbol.
In a world where institutions are often seen as cold and calculating, PNB has shown that a bank can also be a bearer of warmth. A vehicle for national gratitude.
The Invisible Warriors: The Families
Behind every soldier is a family that fights their own battle. Every ring of the phone is a moment of held breath. Every headline, a silent prayer. When a life is lost on the front lines, the family doesn’t just lose a loved one they lose a future.
The Rakshak Plus Scheme’s assistance isn’t charity. It’s recognition. It’s India looking them in the eye and saying, “We see you. We thank you. We’re with you.”
Performance Meets Purpose
Interestingly, while extending such heartfelt support, PNB hasn’t lost focus on its fiscal responsibilities. The bank also recently sold a 21% stake in India SME Asset Reconstruction Company for ₹34 crore and aims to recover ₹16,000 crore this financial year.
This is proof that compassion and commercial success can co-exist. That profitability doesn’t have to come at the cost of empathy.
Final Thought: A Tribute Beyond Ceremonies
We, as civilians, may never fully understand the cost of freedom. But what we can do is ensure that those who pay that cost are not forgotten. PNB’s Rakshak Plus Scheme does just that.
₹17 crore may be the headline. But to 26 families, it’s a hug from the nation. It’s a whispered “thank you” in a time of sorrow. And above all, it’s a promise that their hero’s story will not fade.
In a time where gestures often feel transactional, this one feels deeply personal. And for that, it deserves to be remembered.