Lucknow: The city witnessed a spectacular show of valour and skill by the Indian Army on Friday, as it celebrated the Army Day with a grand parade and display at the 11 Gorkha Rifles Regimental Centre.
The parade was held under the command of Major General Salil Seth, the General Officer Commanding of the Uttar Pradesh Sub Area. Six marching contingents from the army’s different regiments, a military band comprising five regimental brass bands and three pipe bands, and a mounted column participated in the event.
The army chief, General Manoj Pande, reviewed the parade and presented gallantry awards to the brave soldiers who had displayed exemplary courage and devotion to duty in various operations. He also felicitated the veterans and the veer naris (war widows) and paid tribute to the martyrs.
The parade was followed by a series of thrilling and daring displays by the army’s various units and formations. The Army Service Corps (ASC) Tornadoes, the world record holders for motorcycle stunts, enthralled the audience with their breathtaking feats of balance and coordination.
The Paratroopers, the elite airborne force of the army, showcased their skydiving skills and landed with precision and flair. The Army Aviation Corps also performed a fly-past by helicopters, displaying their agility and manoeuvrability.
The event was attended by a large number of dignitaries, including the Governor of Uttar Pradesh, Anandiben Patel, the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath, the Defence Minister of India, Rajnath Singh, and other senior civil and military officials.
The event was also witnessed by thousands of spectators, who cheered and applauded the army’s performance.
The Army Day is celebrated every year on January 15 to commemorate the day when General (later Field Marshal) KM Cariappa took over as the first Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army from General Sir Francis Butcher, the last British Commander-in-Chief of India, in 1949.
The Army Day is an occasion to honour the soldiers who have made the supreme sacrifice for the nation, to salute the veterans who have served the country with dedication and loyalty, and to inspire the young generation to join the army and serve the nation.
The New Indian photojournalist Sumit Kumar captured the event in Lucknow.