64th Army Day Celebrations

Why does India still not have a national military memorial?
Published On: January 15, 2012 | Duration: 51 min, 15 sec
As the country marks Army Day, there is perhaps an unprecedented perception of differences between the Ministry of Defence and the bureaucracy at large, and the military. But beyond the controversies, and a perception within the military that modernisation and acquisition of equipment takes far too long, there is a much more basic issue: Why does India not have a national war memorial?
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Monday 16 January, 2012.
Army Day being celebrated today
President Pratibha Devisingh Patil, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and Defence Minister A.K. Antony have greeted the personnel of the Indian Army on this occasion.
64th Army Day is being celebrated across the country on Sunday.
Chief of Army Staff, General V.K. Singh, laid a wreath at the Amar Jawan Jyoti in New Delhi to mark the occasion this year.
General V.K. Singh on this historic occasion called upon each of the Army personnel to continue performing their duties with resolve, keeping the interest of the nation and army in the forefront.
He further said that the armed forces are ready to face any challenges.
Army Day is celebrated on 15th January every year in India, in recognition of Lieutenant General (later Field Marshal) K. M. Cariappa's taking over as the first Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army from Sir Francis Butcher, the last British commander, in 1948.
The day is celebrated in the form of parades and other military shows in national capital as well as all six Army Command headquarters.
Army Day marks a day to salute the valiant soldiers, who sacrificed their lives to protect the country. (SP-15/1)
DD News: Army Day

Army Day in Pictures: 15 Jan 2009

Indian Army Chief General Deepak Kapoor is showered with rose petals from a helicopter during Army Day celebrations in New Delhi, India, Thursday, January 15, 2009. (AP)

Army chief General Deepak Kapoor takes the salute at a parade showcasing the technological prowess and achievements of the 1.1 million-strong Indian Army. (PTI)

Indian Army officers look on at a display of Brahmos missiles during Army Day parade in New Delhi, India, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2009.

The Indian Army's Bheeshma T-90 S/SK tank is displayed during the Army Day parade in New Delhi January 15, 2009. India on Thursday celebrated the 61st anniversary of the formation of its national army with soldiers from various regiments and artillery on display. (Reuters)
Military Photos

Army puts its best foot forward on 61st Army Day parade

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BEST FOOT FORWARD: The Army will also re-dedicate itself to the service of the nation with a brand new slogan.

New Delhi: Hoping to put a difficult year behind it, the Indian Army will put its best foot forward at the 61st Army Day Parade in the Capital on Thursday, January 15.

Army Day commemorates the taking over of General K M Cariappa as the first Indian Chief of the Indian Army.

It's also a day of stock taking. It comes in the wake of tensions with Pakistan and the major security revamp forced by the terrorist attacks on Mumbai.

The Army will keep it's guard up on the border and play the lead role in beefing-up counter-terrorist forces across the country.

The 1.1-million-strong force is also putting in place institutional checks following the alleged involvement of an officer in a terrorist attack. The Army will also re-dedicate itself to the service of the nation with a brand new slogan.

Chief of Army Staff General Deepak Kapoor said, “Our troops have stood up to uphold the faith which the nation reposed in them to come up to the expectation and for that I humbly feel proud and keeping that as the perspective, the theme for the army day celebrations this year as been 'Nation above all.'”
Army puts its best foot forward on 61st Army Day parade

India Marks 60th Army Day

India's Army Day commemorates the late Field Marshal B. C. Cariappa's taking over as the first Indian commander-in-chief of the armed forces in 1949, two years after India's independence from British rule.

Army Chief Gen Deepak Kapoor

"There have been some instances which have brought down the image of the army in the eyes of the public," the Army Chief said on the occasion of Army Day. "We are concerned. We will try to maintain the image of the army, which is held in high regard," Gen Kapoor said.

Earlier, addressing officers and jawans of his force, he asked them to ensure that the army's image is kept intact. The Army Chief also highlighted the achievements of the force in counter-insurgency operations in Jammu and Kashmir and North East but asked the troops to take all measures to avoid collateral damage during such actions. Gen Kapoor said the force had successfully faced challenges and there was need to ‘be ready’ to take on any future challenges.

In the afternoon, the Army Chief held a reception at his residence, which was attended by President Pratibha Patil, Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil, Defence Minister AK Antony, Congress President Sonia Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition, L.K. Advani, the Chief of the Navy, Admiral Sureesh Mehta and the chief of the Air Force, Air Chief Marshal Fali Homi Major, besides many serving and retired Service Officers.

Photograph Credits:

Cavalry AP Photo by Gurinder Osan

Artillery Reuters

NCC Reuters

Gorkha and Sikh Tps AFP