First out-of-Delhi Army Day celebrations in Bengaluru on Jan 15

Bengaluru, Jan 10: MEG and Centre is all geared up to host India’s first out-of-Delhi Army Day celebrations here on January 15.The 75th celebration will be attended by Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh among other dignitaries. The event is being conducted out of the national capital for the first time as part of the Central Government’s initiative to take major events away from the National Capital Region to different parts of the country.
This will lead to greater visibility for these events and larger involvement of the local citizens.
Every year, January 15 is observed as Army Day to commemorate the occasion when General, later Field Marshal, KM Cariappa took over command of the Indian Army from General Sir Francis Roy Bucher, the last British Commander-in-Chief in 1949, thus becoming the first Indian Commander-in-Chief, post Independence.
The Army day Parade will commence with a wreath laying ceremony at the Madras Engineering Group War Memorial by the Chief of the Army Staff, General Manoj Pande, PVSM, AVSM, VSM, ADC to pay homage to all Army personnel who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty. The Chief of the Army Staff will then review the Army Day Parade at the MEG and Centre, Bengaluru Parade ground and award gallantry awards for individual acts of bravery and sacrifice. In addition COAS Unit Citations will also be awarded to units for their exceptional performance under active operational circumstances.
The Parade this year will witness eight marching contingents, including a horse mounted contingent from the Army Service Corps and a military band composed of five regimental brass bands. Each of these contingents represent regiments with glorious histories and unique traditions.
The Parade will be supported by a fly-past of Army Aviation Dhruv and Rudra helicopters. In addition, various weapon systems held in the Indian Army’s inventory will be on display including K9 Vajra Self Propelled Guns, Pinaka Rockets, T-90 Tanks, BMP-2 Infantry Fighting Vehicle, Tunguska Air Defence System, 155mm Bofors Guns, Light Strike Vehicles, Swathi Radar and different assault bridges.
“To fulfil the designed aim of giving greater visibility of the event to the citizens, we have reached out to the general public to increase awareness about the Army and the significance of the Army day, Major General Ravi Murugan told reporters in a press conference.
“We have invited people from all walks of life including students from schools (especially govt schools), colleges, NCC candidates, children from orphanages to name a few,” he said. More than 8,000 local civilians have witnessed the parade during the pre-event displays thus far, Major General Murugan, who is also General Officer commanding, Karnataka and Kerala Sub Area, said. “We view this as a major achievement. It is also for your information that, in addition to the parade, certain other events have been planned, including, a high tea on 14 January to honour the awardees, for which the Governor of Karnataka, has consented to be the Chief Guest.