Army Chief Reviews 69th Army Day Parade and Awards 15 Sena Medals (5 Posthumous) to Bravehearts

National Defence Bureau,

New Delhi, 15 January 2017

Indian Army celebrated its 69th Army Day today. General Bipin Rawat, Chief of the Army Staff reviewed the Army Day Parade at the Cariappa Parade Ground, Delhi Cantonment and awarded fifteen Sena Medals (including five posthumously) for individual acts of Gallantry and fourteen COAS Unit Citations for commendable performance of their respective units. Siachen Braveheart Lance Naik Hanmanthappa Koppad’s wife Mahadevi Ashok Bilebal and 202 Army Aviation Squadron Helicopter Crash martyr Lt. Col. Rajesh Gulathi’s wife Sarika Gulathi were amongst the recipients.  

 Every year Indian Army celebrates 15th January as ‘Army Day’ to commemorate the day when General (later Field Marshal) K.M Carriappa took over the command of Army from General Sir F.R.R Bucher, the last British Commander-in-Chief in 1949 and became the first Commander-in-Chief of Indian Army post Independence.

General Bipin Rawat, in his address stated that while India sought peace on Line of Control, Cease Fire Violations or untoward incidents propagated by Pakistan will be responded to by force. He also brought out that Confidence Building Measures were being further strengthened along the Line of Actual Control with China to reduce tensions. The COAS  highlighted contribution of Indian Army in UN Peace Keeping Missions, modernization projects in the pipeline and welfare schemes being instituted for serving soldiers, ex servicemen and veer naris. He  reinforced the point that redressal of individual grievances by serving personnel should be carried out through established mechanisms within Army rather than resorting to platform of social media for the same.

The parade was commanded by Maj Gen Rajesh Sahai, Chief of Staff, Delhi Area.  The leading contingent of the parade was formed of the recipients of the Param Vir Chakra, Ashok Chakra Awardees and International Sports Awardees. This was followed by Army contingents which included T-90 Tank BHISHMA, Infantry Combat Vehicle BMP II, Brahmos Missile System,  Weapon Locating Radar (SWATHI), Akash Missile System, CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological & Nuclear) Reconnaissance Vehicle, Mobile transportable satellite terminal vehicle and seven marching contingents including mounted horse cavalry. 

The Veterans Tableaux, organized by the Directorate of Indian Army Veterans, depicted their role and contributions towards the nation. A motorcycle display by “SHWET ASHW” team of the Army Corps of Military Police was the other attraction during the parade. A Paramotors display was also carried out by a team from the 50 (I) Para Brigade.

The grand finale was a combat demonstration, which showcased combat techniques of the Army sub units. Combat actions included strafing runs depicted by armed helicopter, combat manoeuvres by tracked combat vehicles and special operations including  air insertion and extrication of soldiers behind enemy lines.  

The Indian Army is regarded as one of the most credible institutions and Instrument of National Power. Indian Army operates in the most inhospitable conditions with resolve and pride. It has acquitted itself extremely creditably in internal security and counter-insurgency operations and has extended invaluable aid to civil authorities in disaster management and maintenance of law and order.

Earlier in the day, wreaths were laid at Amar Jawan Jyoti, India Gate by the three Service Chiefs to commemorate the Army Day.


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