Paratroopers, drones & cavalry — glimpses from first Army Day parade held in Bengaluru
In Pictures

Paratroopers, drones & cavalry — glimpses from first Army Day parade held in Bengaluru

The 75th Army Day parade, ‘Shaurya Sandhya’, was held at MEG and Centre in Bengaluru. Army Chief said 'we want to pivot from manpower intensive to technology-driven force'.

   
Para Jumpers team performing during 75th Army Day celebrations at MEG and Centre in Bengaluru | Suraj Singh Bisht | ThePrint

Para Jumpers team performing during 75th Army Day celebrations at MEG and Centre in Bengaluru | Suraj Singh Bisht | ThePrint

Bengaluru: On 15 January each year, the Indian Army observes Army Day to commemorate the occasion when General Sir Francis Roy Bucher, the last British Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army, relinquished power in 1949 to General K.M. Cariappa who then became the first Indian Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army.

This year was the first time the Army Day parade was not held in Delhi and instead held at the Madras Engineer Group (MEG) and Centre in Bengaluru, Karnataka. Also known as Madras Sappers, MEG is part of the Army’s Corps of Engineers.

Addressing the ‘Shaurya Sandhya‘, Chief of Army Staff General Manoj Pande said Sunday that the Indian Army wants to “pivot from manpower intensive to technology-driven force”. This, he added, will prepare us for “future conflict”.

The 75th Army Day parade witnessed a military band comprising five regimental brass bands, besides an impressive show of weaponry, discipline, precision, and teamwork.

Moreover, this was also the first time a horse-mounted contingent from the Army Service Corps (ASC) took part in the parade.

Chief of Army Staff General Manoj Pande during 75th Army Day celebrations | Suraj Singh Bisht | ThePrint
Defence minister Rajnath Singh during ‘Shaurya Sandhya’ | Suraj Singh Bisht | ThePrint
Army jawan showcasing skill | Suraj Singh Bisht | ThePrint
Army’s Parachute Regiment showcasing skills during 75th Army Day celebrations | Suraj Singh Bisht | ThePrint
Raksha Mantri signing an autograph | Suraj Singh Bisht | ThePrint
Army personnel showcasing skills during ‘Shaurya Sandhya’ | Suraj Singh Bisht | ThePrint
Army’s para jumpers team performing | Suraj Singh Bisht | ThePrint
Chief of Army staff Gen. Manoj Pande witnessing fly-past | Suraj Singh Bisht | ThePrint
Army personnel showcasing combat skills | Suraj Singh Bisht | ThePrint
Army Service Corps displaying skills during 75th Army Day celebrations | Suraj Singh Bisht | ThePrint
Member of Army Service Corps (ASC) Tornadoes team | Suraj Singh Bisht | ThePrint
An IAF officer attending ‘Shaurya Sandhya’ with her child | Suraj Singh Bisht | ThePrint
Madras Regiment personnel during Army Day parade | Suraj Singh Bisht | ThePrint
Fly-past by Indian Army drone | Suraj Singh Bisht | ThePrint
IAF aircraft fly-past | Suraj Singh Bisht | ThePrint
Special Forces commandos during march-past | Suraj Singh Bisht | ThePrint
Rajnath Singh addressing attendees during ‘Shaurya Sandhya’ | Suraj Singh Bisht | ThePrint