Know All About the 73rd Army Day of India
This year India is celebrating its 73rd Army Day. As per Statista in the year 2020, China had the largest armed forces in the world by active duty military personnel. It had about 2.18 active soldiers, followed by India which occupied the second position. The United States, North Korea, and Russia followed the two with over one million active military personnel.
The origination of the Indian Army dates to the forces of the East India Company, which was later known as the 'British Indian Army'. The Indian Army was founded almost 125 years ago by the British on April 1, 1895. Eventually, when India attained Independence the name ‘British Indian Army’ was changed to the National Army. The Army Day in India is celebrated every year on the 15th January.
Army Day and the history behind it
After serving as slaves of the Britishers and losing lives of millions of India, our country finally attained its independence on August 15, 1947. During this time of Indian independence, the command of the Indian army was in the hands of the British General Sir Francis Butcher.
At the time of India, one other historic event was on its way – the partition of India. Because of this, the country was experiencing communal riots and refugees were coming from Pakistan and some peoples were migrating towards Pakistan. This anarchic atmosphere in the country led to many administrative problems. It was about time that the army had to come forward to control the situation, so that peace can be ensured during partition. Given the situation, a decision was made to hand over the full control of the country in the hands of the Indians.
Following this, Field Marshal K. M. Cariappa became the first Indian Army Chief of Independent India on January 25, 1949. Since then, this day went down in the history of India, especially Indian Army and it was decided to celebrate this grand day every year as the Army Day.
How is Army Day celebrated?
Every year, this day is celebrated at all the Army Command headquarters and national capital by organizing army parades including many other military shows. The parade is organised every year at the Cariappa Parade Ground of Delhi Cantonment. Its salute is taken by the Indian Army Chief.
On this day, the salute is given to all those brave fighters who have sacrificed everything to protect the motherland and maintain the integrity of the nation. Tributes are also paid to Indian soldiers at the ‘Amar Jyoti Jawan’ at India Gate.
The day is celebrated by showcasing the military strength of our country. On this day, many bravery awards such as unit credentials and Sena medals are distributed to deserving army personnel.
In the year 2016, it was decided to rename the Delhi Cantonment Parade Ground as Cariappa Parade Ground after Field Marshal KM Cariappa and as a tribute to whatever he has done for our country.
The Indian Army's motto
The motto of the Indian Army says, "Service before self."
Who was Field Marshal Cariappa?
Field Marshal Sir Kodandera "Kipper" Madappa Carriappa was born on January 28, 1898, in Madikeri, Kodagu, Cariappa. He was India's first post-Independence Commander-in-Chief, appointed in the year 1949. He led India on the Western Front during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947 and is also one of the two recipients to hold the Five-star rank of Field Marshal the other being Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw.
His military career spanned over three glorious decades. He was the first Indian military officer to attend the Staff College, Quetta, the first Indian to command a battalion and was also one of the first two Indians selected to undergo training at the Imperial Defence College in Camberley.
He served as the commander of the Indian Army's Eastern and Western Commands just before taking over as the Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army.
