Watch: PM Modi extends wishes as Army Day Parade held in Bengaluru for the first time

For the first time the Army Day parade and related events were held outside national capital Delhi. Bengaluru became the first city to host the parade at the Govindaswamy Parade Ground since the celebrations started in 1949.

The Army Day is celebrated every year on January 15 to commemorate the sacrifices made by the jawans and the Indian Army. In a tweet, Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his wishes to all army personnel, veterans and their families. He said that the countrymen are proud and grateful to the soldiers.

President Droupadi Murmu also tweeted: “On Army Day, let us recall countless stories of Indian Army soldiers’ sacrifices! They have always pushed the frontiers of valour and courage and also acted as saviours in times of calamities. I salute all brave soldiers of Indian Army and their families on this occasion”.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh saluted the indomitable courage, bravery, sacrifices and service of army personnel. He tweeted: “Greetings to all Indian Army personnel and their families on #ArmyDay. The nation salutes their indomitable courage, valour, sacrifices and service. We are proud of the Indian Army’s efforts to keep India safe and secure”.

 

Addressing the soldiers in Bengaluru, Chief of Army Staff General Manoj Pande said that moving the Army Day parade out of Delhi has “given a golden opportunity to Army to connect to the people. I’m confident this will make our relations even stronger”. He conveyed felicitations and warm wishes to all ranks of the Indian Army, veterans and their families on the occasion of 75th Army Day.

 

Addressing the soldiers, the army chief said that attempts to smuggle weapons and drugs through drones on India Pakistan border, in Jammu and Punjab continue. He added that the forces have placed counter-drone jammers and other equipment to control cross-border activities.

In his address, General Pande said that even though there has been a decline in violence, several proxy terrorist outfits have resorted to the technique of targetted killings to gain visibility. The Indian Army, along with other security forces, is determined to foil all such attempts, he said.