The Army Day was celebrated with great fanfare and gusto by Sudharshan Chakra Corps at Dronachal, Bhopal on Monday. The day began with a solemn wreath laying ceremony at the Sudharshan Chakra War Memorial by Lieutenant General IS Ghuman, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, General Officer Commanding Sudharshan Chakra Corps.
The ceremony was attended by a large gathering of army officers and other ranks of the Corps. War veterans of 1971 Indo–Pak war, Guardsman Munshi Lal Gahlot of the Brigade of the Guards and Rifleman Ram Bahadur of Rajputana Rifles also graced the occasion and laid wreaths.
The evening was dedicated to the citizens of Bhopal who thronged in large numbers to witness the Army Day Celebrations at Yodhasthal. Yodhasthal, which is now also home to a MIG- 23 fighter aircraft, was all decked up for the event. The event was organised at Prerna Stambh, dedicated to the gallantry award winners of Madhya Pradesh.
The programme ensued with the performance of Pipes and Drum Band display by the Army Band. Thereafter, a welcome song by the Jazz band was followed by a march past. The bands played various martial tunes and patriotic songs to enthrall the audience and ended the show with a retreat, leaving the visitors spell bound by the mesmerising display. Another highlight of the event was a Taekwondo display by army personnel and a musical bonanza by students of Army Public School.
The event at Bhopal was organised at Prerna Stambh to pay homage to martyrs and to motivate the youth who had assembled at Yodhasthal to get a glimpse of our army. The MIG-23 and other artifacts especially drew large footfalls of civilians who found it fascinating to be acquainted with the aircraft as well as the various military equipment and guns at Yodhasthal. It was a popular spot for clicking photographs throughout the evening. Needless to say, the event invoked immense patriotic fervor amongst the audience.
Army Day is celebrated on January 15 every year, in recognition of Lieutenant General (later Field Marshal) KM Cariappa’s taking over as the first Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army from General Sir Francis Butcher, the last British Commander-in-Chief of India, on January 15, 1949. Army Day marks a day to salute the valiant soldiers who sacrificed their lives to protect the country and the people living in it.