CHENNAI, JAN 15
A wreath-laying ceremony was held at Victory War Memorial located on Beach Road here in the early hours of Wednesday to mark the Army Day.
Major General Prakash Chandra, Chief of Staff, Headquarters Dakshin Bharat Area laid the wreaths on this solemn occasion. Serving and retired senior officers of the Army, Junior Commissioned Officers, Jawans and Veer Naris laid wreaths and paid floral tributes at the War Memorial. A well turned out and a smart guard of, the Garrison Battalion saluted with arms and the last post was sounded followed by observing a two-minute silence.
The Chief Guest and Governor of Tamil Nadu Banwarilal Purohit awarded the coveted Governor’s Silver Salver to The 17th Battalion of Jammu and Kashmir Rifles for their outstanding performance during Chennai tenure from 2017 till date.
The history of the Indian Army Day
The Indian Army was founded 125 years ago by the British on April 1, 1895. Army Day is observed on January 15 every year in recognition of Field Marshal KM Cariappa’s taking over as the first Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army from Gen Sir Francis Butcher, the last British Commander-In-Chief of India, on January 15, 1949.
The tradition of celebrating Army Day every year on January 15 is to commemorate the taking over of the Indian Army by an Indian officer. All Headquarters of Indian Army organise an ‘At Home’’ wherein the Army is showcased and at Delhi, Army Day Parade is a prelude to RD parade and Supreme Commander graces “At Home” at COAS residence.
On this day, the Army also salutes all brave fighters who have made supreme sacrifice to protect the motherland and maintain the integrity of our great nation. In the year 2020, 72nd Army Day celebrated across the country, a release from Defence PRO said.
