Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan inaugurated the second edition of the annual Indian Military Heritage Festival (IMHF) in New Delhi on November 8, 2024. During the event, he officially launched Project ‘Shaurya Gatha’, a new initiative aimed at conserving and promoting India’s rich military heritage through education and tourism.
This project is a collaborative effort between the Department of Military Affairs and the United Service Institution (USI) of India.
The two-day festival is designed to facilitate meaningful engagement among global and Indian think tanks, corporations, public and private sector entities, non-profits, academicians, and researchers, all of whom will focus on vital themes such as India’s national security, foreign policy, military history, and heritage.
In his address, Gen. Chauhan emphasized the need to enhance public awareness of India’s extensive military history and strategic culture, noting that many citizens remain unaware of the diverse aspects of the nation’s military background and security challenges.
The festival aims to address this knowledge gap by enriching national discourse and cultural appreciation of military ethos, traditions, and contemporary security issues. Through initiatives like Project ‘Shaurya Gatha’, the festival seeks to foster a deeper understanding of India’s military capabilities, aligning with the government’s goals of promoting self-reliance in defense sectors under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
General Chauhan also took the opportunity to release several noteworthy publications on military-related topics. These included “Because of this: A History of the Indo-Pak Air War December 1971” authored by retired Air Marshal Vikram Singh, “Valour and Honour,” a collaborative effort between the Indian Army and USI of India, and “War-wounded, Disabled Soldiers, And Cadets,” published jointly by USI and the War Wounded Federation.
In addition, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) showcased a photo exhibition that outlined its contributions to India’s self-reliance in defense through innovation. The exhibition highlighted various milestones in the DRDO’s journey. Participating in the festivities were NCC cadets from across the Delhi-NCR region, who contributed to the event’s vibrancy and engagement with the themes presented.
The IMHF stands as a platform to ensure that India’s military history and heritage are preserved and appreciated, advocating for a broader understanding that ties in with contemporary issues of security and defense strategy.
