75th Army Day: For the first time, Parade outside Delhi in over 7 decades

For the first time since 1949, Army Day will be celebrated outside Delhi. The Army Day Parade, which used to take place in the capital for over seven decades, is being held in Karnataka’s Bengaluru at Govindaswamy Parade Ground.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will take part in the parade as the chief guest. Along with Army Chief of Staff General Manoj Pande, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan will also grace the event.

According to Army Chief of Staff General Manoj Pande, celebrating Army Day outside the capital has provided the Army with a golden opportunity to connect with the people.

Army Chief of Staff Gen. M. Pande will review the parade and present gallantry awards. The Army Service Corps (ASC) Tornadoes will next perform a daring motorcycle show, followed by a skydiving display by the Paratroopers, daredevil jumps, and fly past by helicopters of the Army Aviation Corps.

While addressing the parade, Army Chief General said that last year, Army firmly faced security-related challenges and ensured the security of borders actively and strongly. Army took steps to improve capability development, force restructuring & training, adding that it also further strengthened its preparations for future wars.

He further said the Army is taking measures to ensure combat readiness and adapt to the latest technology. The situation on the eastern border is stable at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and we are ready to take on any contingency. All the equipment is adequate, the COAS added.

Army Day is celebrated every year on January 15 to commemorate the day when General (later Field Marshal) KM Carriappa, the first Indian Army commander, took over leadership of the Indian Army from General Sir Francis Robert Roy Bucher, the last British Commander-in-Chief, in 1949.