Today, India is celebrating its 74th Army Day. The Army Day is celebrated every year at all Army Command headquarters to honour the country’s soldiers. Army Day is celebrated to mark Lt Gen K M Cariappa’s taking over as Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army in 1949 from General Francis Butcher,the last British Commander-in-Chief of India. The transfer of power from the British to India signifies an important moment in Indian history. Army Day also honours soldiers who have continuously sacrificed their lives for the country.
Army Day is celebrated every year on 15 January to commemorate the day when General (later Field Marshal) KM Cariappa was appointed as the first Indian Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army.
The Indian Army epitomizes the idea of India and always lives by the National values. As the land component of the Indian Armed Forces, the Indian Army is dedicated to preserve our national interest, safeguard our sovereignty, territorial integrity and unity of our Nation. On this day, the Army reaffirms its commitment towards the Nation and assurance of peace and security.
On this occasion, Lt Gen Manoj Pande, AVSM, VSM, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Command, laid wreath at Vijay Smarak, Fort William and paid homage to Bravehearts who made the supreme sacrifice for the nation. Similar ceremonies were organised in all military stations in the Eastern Theatre.
To mark this occasion 26 units of Eastern Command were conferred with the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Command Citation for their exemplary professional performance.
(Inputs by Pratyusha Mukherjee)
Pics credit: Fort William, Eastern Command