Pramesh S Jain & Dr.Thomas (Special Correspondent)
Bengaluru (Karnataka) will host the upcoming Army Day Parade on 15 January 2023,keeping in tune with the decision of holding such events of national importance outside the National Capitalin order to give wider visibility and participation of citizens.
The Army Day Parade on 15 January, signifies the formal taking over of Indian Army by its first Indian Commander-in-Chief,Field Marshal KM Cariappa on 15 January 1949 replacing his British predecessor.
While the conduct of this historical event at Bengaluru is in recognition of the valour,sacrifices and services of the people of Southern India for the Nation,it is also an apt tribute to Field Marshal KM Cariappa who hails from Karnataka.
Over the next one month,the Indian Army has planned an extensive outreach campaign so as to strengthen the bond with the citizens by organising events with school /college students,remote villages and people from all walks of the society.
General Manoj Pande,Chief of the Army Staff will lay a wreath at Bengaluru to honour the bravehearts and review the Army Day Parade on 15 January2023.
The Parade,while highlighting the military prowess of Indian Army will also showcase Indian Army’sefforts to transforminto a future ready, technology driven,lethal and agile force.
Alongwith the marching contingents & military bands, adventure activities like Motor Cycle Display, Para Motors and Combat Free Fall will be organised to inspire the younger generations of the Nation.
A number of gallantry awards and Unit Citations will also be awarded by the Army Chief in recognition of the valour and meritorious service of Army personnel and units.
As a prelude to the Army Day 2023, the Southern Command Investiture Ceremony is also being held at Bengaluru on 13 January2023,wherein Lt Gen AK Singh, Army Commander,Southern Command will present distinguished service awards to Army personnel.
A series of events showcasing Indian Army’s commitment to Nation building is plannedby Army Units of Southern Command over the next one month with holistic participation of citizens from all sections of the society.
“Southern Star Vijay Run – 2022”(Theme – Run For Soldiers – Run With Soldiers) on 17 December2022, in commemoration of Vijay Diwas,will be the Curtain Raiser event where-in over 50,000 participants across 18 stations (Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Ahmedabad, Bhuj & Alwar, Bhopal, Secundrebad, Jhansi, Gwalior, Chennai, Bangalore, Belgaum, Wellington (TN), Pune, Nasik, Nagpur, Ahmedabad & Mumbai) in Southern Command will be flagged off simultaneously.
Thereafter multiple events depicting the Indian Army’s commitment to the Nation are beingorganised in coordination with local bodies and society as per details below:-
24 December2022 – Blood Donation (Theme : Donate Blood – Save A Life) for collection of 7,500 units of blood for needy patients & compilation of data for 75,000 voluntary donors.
30 December 2022 :Outreach programme by Indian Army in 75 x remote / border / less developed villages (Theme : Gram Seva- Rashtra Seva) where Medical Camps, Agnipath Scheme Awareness, Felicitation of Veer Naris & Veer Matas, Swachta Abhiyan, Creation of sports facilities – Volleyball / Kho Kho / Kabaddi and Sports events will be organised.
07 January2023 : ‘Vidyanjali’ Scheme, wherein Army Public Schools would affiliate with 75 x Government / Government aided schools for sharing and exchanging mutually beneficial development programmes like sharing sports infrastructure, organising sports events and promoting yoga & other soft skills.
10 January 2023 :Work on creation / resuscitation of 75 x Amrit Sarovars / ponds (Theme : Jal – Jeevan Suraksha) for revival of water bodies & ecosystem development.
14 January 2023 : ‘Vraksharopan’ (Theme : Paryavaran Suraksha) Plantation of 75,000 saplings for Green India across Southern Command Area.
In the week leading to the Army Day (from 09-15 January 2023),additional activities like weapons and equipment display, band performances, quiz competitions,painting & essay writing competitions, cyclothons,motivational talks by gallantry awardees,presentation on famous battles, visits to war memorial / war museums and cultural programmes based on theme – ‘Ek Bharat Sarvashrestha Bharat’ are also planned.
Indian Army urges active participation of people from all sections of society in the various events being conducted in the run up to the Army Day Parade.
