Guwahati: This year on 15 January, India will celebrate its 74th Army Day. On this day, the soldiers are acknowledged and honoured for their selfless act and the celebrations set an example of brotherhood among the citizens. Due to the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Indian Army Day will be marked amidst stringent protocols at all Army Command Headquarters.
Every year, a grand parade takes place at Cariappa Parade Ground at Delhi Cantt. During the event, the Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane takes salute. Bravery awards including unit credentials and Sena medals are also awarded to a few.
The Command Headquarters as well as the main headquarters in the national capital recognises and celebrate this day with pomp and show. Along with military parades, the Indian Army displays all the latest technology that has either been acquired or incorporated into the service.
History And Significance
On April 1, 1895, the Brit Indian Army was founded within the British administration and was known as the British Indian Army. After India became independent in 1947, it was not until January 15, 1949, that the nation received its first-ever Indian chief.
Lt Gen KM Cariappa succeeded General Francis Butcher, the final British commander-in-chief of the Indian Army, as commander-in-chief of the Indian Armed forces in 1949. The handover of authority from the Brits to India is seen as a watershed point in Indian history and is observed as Army Day. This day is also marked to pay tributes to the troops who have given their lives for the nation.
Indian Army Day 2022 : Celebrations
Each year on the Indian Army Day, a grand parade is organised at the Cariappa parade ground of the Delhi cantonment. The salute of the parade is usually taken by the Indian Army Chief. Thus, in 2022, it will be General Manoj Mukund Naravane who will be making the salute on the occasion.
Alongside this, the Indian Army Day also usually involves a showcase of all the weapons in the Indian Army arsenal. The latest kind of weapons, drones, helicopters etc are displayed with great pride.
In 2022, the celebrations shall involve a showcase of the latest weapons the Indian Army has acquired recently, indigenously-developmed and imported. The latest additions on display will be the BLT T-72 ‘Bharat Rakshak’ tank, the 155mm Soltum Gun, and the BrahMos Missiles.
Besides this, bravery awards such as unit credentials and Sena medals are also awarded on the Indian Army Day.
In 2022, what’s special is that the all new camouflage uniform, designed in partnership with the Indian Army and the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), shall be showcased during the Indian Army Day parade.
