The Indian Army is celebrating its 75th Army Day at Bengaluru on 15 January 23. The event is being conducted out of the national capital for the first time as part of the Government of India’s initiative to take major events away from the National Capital Region to different parts of the country. This will lead to greater visibility for these events and larger involvement of the local citizens.
Every year, 15 January is observed as “Army Day” to commemorate the occasion when General (later Field Marshal) KM Cariappa took over command of the Indian Army from General Sir Francis Roy Bucher, the last British Commander-in-Chief in 1949, thus becoming the first Indian Commander-in-Chief, post Independence.
The Army day Parade will commence with a wreath laying ceremony at the Madras Engineering Group War Memorial by the Chief of the Army Staff, General Manoj Pande, PVSM, AVSM, VSM, ADC to pay homage to all Army personnel who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty.
The Chief of the Army Staff will then review the Army Day Parade at the MEG & Centre, Bengaluru Parade ground and award gallantry awards for individual acts of bravery and sacrifice. In addition COAS Unit Citations will also be awarded to units for their exceptional performance under active operational circumstances.
The Army Day Parade this year will witness eight marching contingents, including a horse mounted contingent from the Army Service Corps and a military band comprising of five regimental brass bands. Each of these contingents represent regiments with glorious histories and unique traditions.
The Army Day Parade will be supported by a fly-past of Army Aviation Dhruv and Rudra helicopters. In addition, various weapon systems held in the Indian Army’s inventory will be on display including K9 Vajra Self Propelled Guns, Pinaka Rockets, T-90 Tanks, BMP-2 Infantry Fighting Vehicle, Tunguska Air Defence System, 155mm Bofors Guns, Light Strike Vehicles, Swathi Radar and different assault bridges.
To fulfil the designed aim of giving greater visibility of the event to the citizens, we have reached out to the general public to increase awareness about the Army and the significance of the Army day. We have invited people from all walks of life including students from schools (especially govt schools), colleges, NCC candidates, children from orphanages to name a few. More than 8000 local civilians have witnessed the parade during the pre-event displays thus far. We view this as a major achievement. It is also for your information that, in addition to the parade, certain other events have been planned, including, a high tea on 14 Jan 23 to honour the awardees, for which the Governor of Karnataka, has consented to be the Chief guest, and a Military Tattoo, on the evening of 15 Jan 23, which will have the Union Minister of Defence, Shri Rajnath Singh as the Chief Guest.