New Delhi, Nov. 4 -- Retired Rear Admiral Gurinder Singh Jawanda has welcomed the Union Cabinet's approval of an additional two-year engagement period for Agniveers under the Agnipath scheme, describing it as a "very welcome change" that could bring the recruitment arrangement closer to the original induction plan, while Retired Major Mohammed Ali Shah termed the decision a "brilliant" move and a "Diwali gift" for Agniveers and their families.

Reacting to the government's decision to extend the service tenure of Agniveers, Jawanda said he was "thrilled to bits" and viewed the revised arrangement not merely as an extension but as a more structured system that would provide additional opportunities to those who do not make the initial sele...