Indian Army Day is celebrated because on the same day (15th of January) in 1948 Lieutenant General K. M. Cariappa (Kodandera Madappa Cariappa) took over as the first Commander-in-chief of the Indian Army from Sir Francis Butcher, the last British commander. Thus this day is celebrated to recognize this proud moment. In 2015 Indian Army is celebrating 67th Army Day. On this day various parades, celebration and shows are held in the National Capital of New Delhi and in all Army Commands. On this day homage is paid to the epitome of bravery, the soldiers who have come all their way to protect the country without giving a second thought, the soldiers for whom the Nation has come first always.
Take pride, as you are a citizen of India, as you can watch the bravest of the soldiers giving away everything they have for their motherland. Indian Army is one of the finest Army of the world. With the finest institutions like National Defence Academy Khadakwasla, Indian Military Academy, Dehradun and Officers Training Academy, Chennai and Gaya, Indian Army has the best of the soldiers. From the shivering cold of Kashmir, to the sweating Rajasthan and the jungles of North East India, Indian Army has proved its mettle always and every time.The soldiers are selfless as they strongly believe in these words “The safety, honor and welfare of your country come first, always and every time.The honor, welfare and comfort of the men you command come next.Your own ease, comfort and safety come last, always and every time”. Time and again they have proved their bravery, from the battlefield to the peace keeping, and to the rescue operations.
Indian Army celebrated its 71st Army Day today. General Bipin Rawat, Chief of the Army Staff reviewed the Army Day Parade at the Cariappa Parade Ground, Delhi Cantonment and awarded fifteen Sena Medals (including five posthumously) for individual acts of Gallantry and seventeen COAS Unit Citations for commendable performance of their respective units.
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.
The Army Day parade was commanded by Maj Gen Rajpal Punia, 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, M 777 ultra light howitzer,K-9 Vajra guns, Akash missile system, Mobile transportable satellite terminal service vehicle, surface minimum clearing system, international sports awardees and seven marching contingents including mounted horse cavalry.
The Veterans Tableaux, organized by the Directorate of Indian army Veterans, depicted their role and contributions towards the nation. A motorcycle display by “DARE DEVIL” team of the Corps of Signals was the other attraction during the parade. A paramotors display was also carried out by a team from the 50 (I) Para Brigade.
The grand finale was a combat demonstration, which showcased combat techniques. Combat actions included strafing runs depicted by armed helicopter, combat manoeuvres by tracked combat vehicles and special operations including air insertion and extrication of soldiers behind enemy lines.
Earlier in the day, wreaths were laid at Amar Jawan Jyoti, India Gate by the three Service Chiefs to commemorate the Army Day.
