The vibrant and much-anticipated Indian Military Heritage Festival (IMHF) will kick off on November 8, 2023, in New Delhi, with a focus on bringing together a diverse range of stakeholders interested in India’s national security, military history, and heritage. The event, scheduled to last for two days, aims to foster discussions and collaborations among think tanks, corporations, non-profits, academicians, and industry leaders.
Chief of Defence Staff, General Anil Chauhan, along with the three Service Chiefs, will inaugurate the festival. A significant highlight of this year’s event will be the launch of Project “Shaurya Gatha,” an initiative led by the Department of Military Affairs in collaboration with the United Services Institution (USI) of India. This project aims to preserve and promote India’s military heritage through education and tourism, showcasing the rich history and cultural significance of the Indian Armed Forces.
Throughout the festival, a range of prominent publications on military topics will be released, spotlighting works such as “Because of This: A History of the Indo-Pak Air War December 1971” by retired Air Marshal Vikram Singh, “Valour and Honour,” a joint publication by the Indian Army and USI of India, and “Silent Weapons, Deadly Secrets: Unveiling the Bioweapons Arms Race,” edited by retired Lt General Vinod Khandare, among others.
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) will also take part by presenting a photo exhibition that highlights its contributions to the concept of Atmanirbhar Bharat, or self-reliant India, through innovations in defense research. The festival will aim to engage the youth, with active participation from National Cadet Corps (NCC) cadets and students from various schools and colleges across the Delhi NCR region. Informative stalls representing the three Services will provide insights into career opportunities within the armed forces, inspiring young attendees to consider a future in military service.
The event receives support from several key government bodies, including the Ministry of Defence, the Department of Military Affairs, the Indian Army, Indian Navy, Indian Air Force, DRDO, as well as the local governments of Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh, the Ministry of Culture, and even the British High Commission.
The inaugural edition of the IMHF, held on October 21-22, 2023, at the Manekshaw Centre, successfully showcased India’s military culture through lively performances by military bands and informative exhibits that highlighted the various facets of the armed forces.
For more information on the festival, interested individuals can visit the official website: indianmilitaryheritagefestival.in.
