Why Army Day Was Celebrated in Pune this year Instead of Delhi?
Why Army Day Was Celebrated in Pune this year Instead of Delhi?
In 2023, Army Day took place in Bengaluru, Karnataka, while in 2024, the event was hosted in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.
The Indian Army celebrated its 77th Army Day, marking the significant historical event when the command was handed over to Field Marshal Kodandera Madappa Cariappa in 1949. On this occasion, the Indian Army honors the bravery and dedication of the soldiers who selflessly place themselves in harm’s way to protect the nation’s citizens. This year’s Army Day festivities were held in Pune.
Each year, the celebration takes place in Delhi, the national capital that houses numerous departmental headquarters. However, for the past three years, the Army has chosen to commemorate the event at various locations. In 2023, Army Day was celebrated in Bengaluru, Karnataka, and in 2024, it took place in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. “The initiative aims to decentralize the celebration, offering the local communities the opportunity for direct engagement,” the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting stated last year about choosing different locations for the parade. The parade took place at the Bombay Engineering Group (BEG) and Centre on January 15.
Additionally, the Indian Army’s Southern Command is headquartered in Pune, Maharashtra, overseeing 11 states and four Union Territories. This strategic location is why Pune was selected to host the Army Day parade and related events this year. The theme for the occasion is “Samarth Bharat, Saksham Sena.”
During his visit to Pune, Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi opened a state-of-the-art upper limb training lab at the Artificial Limb Centre (ALC) on Tuesday. This facility features cutting-edge technology in prosthetic care, marking a substantial improvement in the center’s ability to offer customized rehabilitation for individuals with upper limb amputations.
The Indian Army was initially formed by the British government on April 1, 1895, and it experienced a significant change following India’s independence in 1947. On January 15, 1949, Field Marshal Kodandera M. Cariappa took on the role of the first Indian Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army, taking over from General FRR Bucher, the final British Chief.
January 15 is now commemorated as Indian Army Day, a tribute to the courage, sacrifices, and significant contributions of Indian soldiers in safeguarding the nation’s sovereignty and integrity.
