Indian Army celebrated its 73rd Army Day today. The celebrations commenced with wreath laying ceremony at National War Memorial where CDS Gen Bipin Rawat and the three Service Chiefs paid homage to the Martyrs.
General MM Naravane, 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 for commendable performance of their respective units. The Army Day parade was commanded by Maj Gen Alok Kaker, Chief of Staff, Delhi Area.
The leading contingent of the parade was formed of the recipients of the Param Vir Chakra and Ashok Chakra awardees. This was followed by army contingents which included T-90 tank BHISHMA, infantry combat vehicle BMP II, BRAHMOS missile system, PINAKA Multiple Launch Rocket System, upgraded SCHILKA Gun System, Bridge Layer Tank, international sports awardees and seven marching contingents including mounted horse cavalry.
The Indian Army also carried out a live demonstration of Drone Swarming capability using 75 indigenously designed and developed drones which executed an array of Artificial Intelligence (AI) enabled simulated offensive missions and close support tasks.
Every year Indian Army celebrates 15th January as ‘Army Day’ to commemorate the day when General (later Field Marshal) K M Carriappa took over the command of Army from General Sir FRR Bucher, the last British Commander-in-Chief in 1949 and became the first Commander-in-Chief of Indian Army post Independence.
A day before, Indian Armed Forces Veterans Day is being observed. This day is celebrated on 14th of January every year to honour services rendered by veterans of the Army. This year is being celebrated as Swarnim Vijay Varsh. It marks 50th Anniversary of 1971 Indo-Pak War.
5th Tri Services Armed Forces Veterans Day was celebrated by Headquarter Eastern Command on 14 Jan 2021. This day is celebrated every year as a mark of respect and recognition of the services and sacrifices rendered by the Veterans. To mark this occasion in a befitting manner, a wreath laying ceremony was organised wherein Lt Gen JS Nain, AVSM, SM and Veterans from all three Services paid their homage to the fallen soldiers in a solemn ceremony at Vijay Smarak, Fort William.
The Services by virtue of being a close knit family, take pride in caring for its Veterans Community. Indian Army recognizes the sacrifices and hard work of its retired personnel and has undertaken a number of initiatives aimed at their welfare. As a mark of respect to their invaluable contribution in the task of nation building and honouring their sacrifices, India Army carries out regular programmes covering various aspects of their needs and requirements thorughout the Country.
In Eastern Command this year also special programmes are being conducted which include medical camps, awareness programmes on various initiatives in the field of job placement, skill development, education facilities, pension entitlement and other related issues to help the Veterans.
