New Delhi: The Army Wednesday showcased its military might and some of its state-of-the-art assets at the 72nd Army Day parade held at Cariappa Parade Ground in Delhi Cantonment.
Army Chief Gen M.M. Naravane, Air Chief Marshal R.K.S. Bhadauria, Navy Chief Admiral Karambir Singh and Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat were among those present.
New CDS General Bipin Rawat greets Air Chief Marshal R.K.S. Bhadauria (centre) and Navy Chief Admiral Karambir Singh (right) | Suraj Singh Bisht | ThePrintArmy chief Gen M.M. Naravane inspects the Army Day parade | Suraj Singh Bisht | ThePrint
Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted army personnel on Twitter, calling them the “pride of India”.
“The Indian Army is the pride of Mother India. On the occasion of Army Day, I salute the indomitable courage, valour of all the soldiers of the country,” he wrote on Twitter.
An Army contingent in the parade | Suraj Singh Bisht | ThePrintThe Army displays the Akash missile, the indigenously-produced medium-range surface-to-air missile | Suraj Singh Bisht | ThePrint
This year’s parade also saw its first woman parade adjutant. Captain Tania Shergil, who is an officer with Army’s Corps of Signals, led the all-men contingents.
Captain Tania Shergil leads the Army Day parade | Suraj Singh Bisht | ThePrintArmy personnel display their military might at the parade | Photo: Suraj Singh Bisht | ThePrint
The Army Day is celebrated on 15 January every year to mark Lt Gen K.M. Cariappa becoming the first Indian commander-in-chief of the Army in 1949. He took over from General Francis Butcher, the last British commander-in-chief of India.
Army personnel put on a performance during the parade | Photo: Suraj Singh Bisht | ThePrintArmy personnel carry out a triple bike stunt during the Army Day parade in New Delhi | Suraj Singh Bisht | ThePrintAn Army stunt specialist balances on a moving motorbike during the Army Day parade | Suraj Singh Bisht | ThePrintArmy soldiers show their combat prowess while suspended on a wire from a chopper | Suraj Singh Bisht | ThePrintAn Army soldier climbs up a wire as a chopper holds position mid-air | Suraj Singh Bisht | ThePrintA contingent of the Military Police ride tandem while performing a bike stunt during the Army Day parade | Suraj Singh BishtSeven personnel of the Military Police balance on a motorbike as they perform a stunt on Army Day | Suraj Singh Bisht | ThePrint
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