Bharat Darshan-The Indian Army Celebrates 74th Army Day on Friday, January 15, 2022. Field Marshal K. C. Cariappa, The First Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army, 1949
Even after the Independence, the Indian Army did not have an Indian chief; instead it was led by British Army officers. On January 15, 1949, then Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army General Sir Francis Butcher handed over the charge to then Lieutenant General KM Cariappa, giving Army its first Indian chief. A decorated Army officer, Field Marshal KM Cariappa spearheaded Indian forces during 1947 India-Pakistan war. The first Indian Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army, Cariappa hailed from Karnataka. Born on December 1898, his career spanned over three decades. He is also one of the first two recipients of the title of Field Marshal of India, the second Field Marshal of India is Sam Manekshaw.
Army Day is celebrated every year across the country on January 15.
The Indian Army’s theme for the year 2022, “In Stride with the Future”, is an acknowledgment of the increasingly critical role played by niche and disruptive technologies in modern warfare. The Indian Army confronts a plethora of security challenges, conventional and non-traditional, and is looking at Artificial Intelligence (AI), 5G, Robotics and Quantum Technology to find innovative solutions to these emerging challenges.
The Army Day celebrations commenced with the Wreath Laying Ceremony at the National War Memorial where the three Service Chiefs paid homage to the Bravehearts. In his message to all ranks of the Indian Army, the Chief of the Army Staff, General MM Naravane saluted the supreme sacrifice of all personnel who laid down their lives in the line of duty, reiterating his unstinted support to the Veer Naris and Next of Kin of the fallen soldiers. He assured the Nation that the Indian Army was operationally ready to deal with any adverse situation.
The Chief of the Army Staff reviewed the Army Day Parade at the Cariappa Parade Ground, Delhi Cantonment, and awarded 15 Sena Medals (including five posthumously) for individual acts of gallantry and 23 COAS Unit Citations to units for their commendable performance.
The Army Day Parade this year showcased the evolution of various weapon systems held in the Indian Army’s inventory. New and modern weapon systems and platforms were displayed alongside their old counterparts. Centurion tanks were followed by Arjun Main Battle Tanks and TOPAS was succeeded by the BMP-II. Similarly, pairs of the 75/24 Indian Field Gun and Dhanush, PMP/PMS and Sarvatra bridges, and Tiger Cat & Akash Surface to Air Missiles were also on display.
The parade also included International Sports awardees and seven marching contingents, including mounted horse cavalry. A song titled ‘Maati’, sung by famed singer Hariharan, dedicated to the Army and the Nation was exclusively released during the event.
The 72nd year Army day celebrations was different as a fourth-generation woman army officer spearheaded an all men contingent on January 15. Captain Bhavana Kasturi, marking a departure from the convention, led an all men contingent on Republic Day 2019. Army Day is celebrated to honour our brave soldiers who serve the country selflessly, sometimes, laying down their lives.
Tweeting from its official handle, the Indian army also paid tribute to the 100 martyrs who sacrificed their lives in 2020. “Army pays homage to the 100 battle casualties in the year 2020 on the Army Day today. These officers and jawans lost their lives in different operations including the Galwan valley clash in Eastern Ladakh on June 15,” the army’s tweet read.
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Army chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane will be chief guest at the Army Day celebrations this year. The parade will showcase various routines such as aerial stunts and bike pyramids.
On Army Day, the army chief takes the salute and inspects the parade led by the General Officer Commanding, HQs Delhi Area. The other two service chiefs also attend the parade every year and take salute. This year, the Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat will also attend the parade this year and take salute. General Rawat took charge as CDS on 31st December, 2019.
Pic Courtesy: PTI
Pic Courtesy: PTI
Pic Courtesy: PTI
Pic Courtesy: ANI
Last year, Captain Tania Shergill from the Corp of Signals lead an all men contingent on Army Day. Shergill was inducted in March 2017 from Officers Training Academy, Chennai. Her father and grandfather also served in the Indian Army.
The main event takes place at Cariappa Parade Ground at Delhi Cantonment. The ceremony begins with Indian Army chief taking the salute. Soldiers are accorded Sena medals for their service to the nation. However, Army Day is observed at all Army Command headquarters across the country.
Indian Army soldiers take out a parade and arsenals are put on display. Last year, Army exhibited the BrahMos Missiles, BLT T-72 ‘Bharat Rakshak’ tank, Advanced Light Helicopters, and the 155mm Soltam Gun.
In 2020, 15 soldiers were decorated with gallantry awards while 18 battalions got unit citations. The military hardware which were showcased in the 2020 parade include infantry combat vehicle BMP-2K, K9 Vajra-T artillery guns, locally built Dhanush towed guns, T-90 main battle tanks and the short span bridging system.
Army Day 2020 Theme
The main focus of Army Day 2020 will be on the ‘Digital Transformation of Defense’.
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