TIL Desk Lucknow/ The Indian Army is celebrating its 76th Army Day at Lucknow on 15 January 2024. The event is being conducted out of the national capital for the second time as part of the Government of India’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. The last Army Day Parade was conducted at Bangaluru on 15 Jan 2023.
Every year, 15 January 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 1947, thus becoming the first Indian Commander-in-Chief, post-Independence.
Towards fulfilling the aim of Army Day being conducted here in Lucknow, we have reached out to the general public to increase awareness about the Army and the significance of the Army day wherein starting Nov 2023 onwards various events were organised in the complete Central Command Area of Responsibility (AOR) so far. It included various School Outreach Programs where Army Gallantry Award Winners spoke to Generation Next and motivated them, Blood Donation Camps were organised for the masses, Tree Plantation Drives have been conducted at various stations within Headquarter Central Command and Army based Quiz Competition has been conducted for local populace through Radio. One of the major event conducted was Know Your Army Festival at Surya Khel Parisar, Lucknow from 05 – 07 Jan 2024 and was graced by Chief Minister, Yogi Adityanath, Chief Secretary of Uttar Pradesh and other dignitaries. It was open to the public and thousands of people attended the same. Details of the event are already covered in various digital & print media.
The other events which are lined up are :- 13 Jan 2024
(a) Investiture Day Parade where all the Awardees like Sena Medal (Gallantry), Sena Medal (Distinguished) and Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM) awardees of Headquarter Central Command will be felicitated by Lieutenant General NS Raja Subramani, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, Sena Medal, Vishisht Seva Medal, General Officer Commanding -in-Chief Central Command. The General Officer Commanding -in-Chief will also present awards for Unit Appreciations (Total 18), Best Zonal Hosp, Best Field Hospital, Mid Zonal/ Peripheral Hosp, Best Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) Polyclinic and Best Green Military Station.
14 Jan 2024
(a) 8th Veterans Day which is celebrated in recognition of the services rendered by the First Commander-in-Chief of Indian Armed Forces, Field Marshal KM Cariappa, OBE who retired on this day in 1953.
(b) At Lucknow Veterans Day is being celebrated at Surya Officers’ Institute on 14 Jan 24 where Deputy Chief Minister Brijesh Pathak will be the Chief Guest and will felicitate the Veterans, Veer naris of Gallantry Award Winners & Gallantry Award winners like 2 x Param Veer Chakra (PVC), 2 x Ashok Chakra (AC), Kirti Chakra, Sena Medal, Veer Chakra and Shaurya Chakra. We are also felicitating GC Pandey father of Captain Manoj Pandey, Param Veer Chakra (Posthumous). It will be followed by interaction & tea.
(c) Swagat Samaroh has been organised for all Awardees & Veer Naris who are being felicitated during Army Day Parade by COAS will at Army Commander’s Residence. The event will be attended by Rajnath Singh, Raksha Mantri, Anandiben Patel Governor of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Gen Anil Chauhan, Chief of Def Staff, Gen Manoj Pande, Chief Of Army Staff and other prominent Army and Civil dignitaries.
(d) Band Symphony is being organised at Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Memorial Park where Military Brass Bands will perform for people of Lucknow and the event will be graced by Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh, Governor of Uttar Pradesh Anandiben Patel and other prominent Army and Civil dignitaries. The expected strength is around 7000 people.
15 Jan 2024
(a) Army Day Parade will commence with a wreath laying ceremony at the SMRITIKA War Memorial by the Chief of Army Staff, General Manoj Pande, Param Vishisht Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, Vishisht Seva Medal, ADC to pay homage to all Army personnel who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty.
(b) The Chief of the Army Staff will then review the Army Day Parade at the Parade ground of 11 Gorkha Rifles Regimental Centre at Lucknow and will present Gallantry awards for individual acts of bravery and sacrifice. In addition, Chief of Army Staff Unit Citations will also be awarded to units for their exceptional performance under active operational circumstances.
(c) The Army Day Parade this year will witness Six Marching Contingents, military band comprising of five regimental brass bands and three pipe bands :-
(i) Marching Contingents
(aa) 50 (I) PARA Brigade
(ab) SIKH LIGHT Infantry Regiment Centre
(ac) JAT Regiment Centre
(ad) Garhwal Rifle Regiment Centre
(ae) Bengal Engineer Group Centre
(af) Army Air Defence Centre
(ii) Five Regimental Brass / Military Band
(aa) Punjab Regiment Centre
(ab) Grenadier Regimental Centre
(ac) BIHAR Regiment Centre
(ad) SIKH LI Regiment Centre
(ae) KUMAON Regimental Centre
(af) SIKH Regimental Centre
(iii) Five Regimental Pipe Bands
(aa) SIKH Regiment Centre
(ab) SIKH LI Regiment Centre
(ac) JAT Regiment Centre
(ad) KUMAON Regimental Centre
(ae) 1 Signal Training Centre
(iv) Each of these contingents represent regiments with glorious histories and unique traditions. (d) The Army Day Parade will have a fly-past of Microlights and hepters. There will also be a display of Para Motors by Army Adventure Node of Agra and a Combat Free Fall by Para Commandos of 50 (I) Para Brigade. A team of Motor Cycle riders from Signal Corps will also showcase their skills. In addition, various weapon systems held in the Indian Army’s inventory will also be displayed on parade ground including K9 Vajra Self Propelled Guns, T-90 Tanks, Sarvatra Bridging System, Infantry Combat Vehicle BMP-2, Tunguska Air Defence System, Swathi Radar, 155mm Bofors Gun, 155mm SHARANG / SOLTAM Gun, GRAD BM-21 and Light Strike Vehicles of Para Battalion.
Approx 1800 open passes have been distributed on first come first seen basis to common man. We have invited people from all walks of life including teachers and students from various schools and colleges as well as NCC cadets etc. As part of practice, full dress rehearsals of the parade were held on 07, 09 & 11 Jan 2024 and approx 6600 people have already witnessed the parade so far. We view this as a major achievement.
On 15 Jan 2024 evening, Shaurya Sandhya will be held after the parade at Surya Khel Parisar where Raksha Mantri, Rajnath Singh will be the Chief Guest. This is also open to local public and approx 5000 people are expected to attend. It will showcase various forms of martial arts, Motorcycle display by ‘Dare Devils’ and Tent pegging by Remount Veterinary Corps Centre & College, combat displays, Fly past by ALH, ALH – WSI, Cheetah, Microlight, Sukhoi & Kiran aircrafts.
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