The nation is celebrating the 72nd Army Day today and on the occasion, President Ramnath Kovind extended greetings to veterans and their families. “On Army Day, greetings to the valiant men and women of the Indian Army, to veterans and to their families. You are our nation’s pride, the sentinels of our liberty. Your immense sacrifice has secured our sovereignty, brought glory to our nation and protected our people. Jai Hind!,” he tweeted in the morning. Earlier today, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat along with Army chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria and Navy Chief Admiral Karambir Singh paid tributes at the National War Memorial.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also extended greetings to the Indian Army personnel. “On Army Day today, I salute all valiant Indian Army personnel and recall with pride their indomitable spirit, valor and sacrifices in making India a safer place. Army Day 2020,” Singh tweeted. 

General Bipin Rawat on Wednesday took salute as the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) during the Army Day celebrations here at Army Parade ground, Delhi Cantonment. During the ceremony, Army chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane conferred medals upon the jawans. He also remembered and paid tributes to jawans who lost their lives in Avalanche recently.

Meanwhile, Indian Army’s Captain Tanya Shergill became the first woman officer as Parade Adjutant on Army Day Parade this year. Earlier today, General Bipin Rawat along with Army chief, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria and Navy Chief Admiral Karambir Singh paid tributes at the National War Memorial.

History

In 1949, the command of the Indian Army was handed over from General Sir Francis Butcher to Lieutenant General KM Cariappa. Therefore, 15 January marks the transfer of power from the British colonial rulers to Indians.

Who was Field Marshal Cariappa?

Cariappa, the first Indian Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army, hailed from Karnataka. With a career spanning over three decades, Cariappa was a recipient of the title of Field Marshal of India, after Sam Manekshaw.

Significance

The Army Day is celebrated every year at all Army Command headquarters to honour our nation’s soldiers who set the example of selfless service and brotherhood, and above all, love for the country.

Competing with superpowers like the US, Russia and China, the Indian Army is one of the most powerful militaries of the world.

How is Army Day celebrated?

The day is marked by a showcase of military strength. Bravery awards such as unit credentials and Sena medals are distributed to deserving personnel on this day. The main event is organised at Parade Ground in Delhi Cantonment.

The Delhi Cantonment Parade Ground was renamed as Cariappa Parade Ground after Field Marshal KM Cariappa in 2016.