Army Day 2019: Army Day is celebrated on January 15 every year to mark the day when (then) Lieutenant General KM Cariappa took over General Sir Francis Butcher as Commander-in-Chief of India in January 1949.
Popularly known as “Kipper”, K.M Cariappa was the first Indian commander-in-chief of the Indian Army. He is one of only two Indian Army officers to hold the five-star rank of field marshal. With a military career spanning three decades, his unrelenting patriotism and secular beliefs blazed a trail in the Indian Army.
By the time India gained independence, Cariappa had seen action in Iraq, Syria, Iran, and Burma and became the first Indian Officer to be given command of a unit in 1942. He also led the Indian forces on the Western Front during the Indo-Pak War of 1947 and successfully recaptured Zojila, Drass, and Kargil and established a linkup with Leh.
Once, after chasing the raiders beyond Uri, Cariappa was stopped by a group of people at Baramulla and told that they had suffered a lot due to the absence of food supplies, including salt. It was a puzzling question for the general, as no stocks were available with the army. But he fulfilled his assurance the next day when he visited the old town and distributed flour, rice, and salt to the neediest families.
"We extend our gratitude towards our brave soldiers and their families who safeguard the sovereignty of the country and keep the nation safe and secure with the incessant vigil. On the 71st Army Day we salute the indomitable courage and valour of the heroes of Indian Army."
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Former defence minister and current Goa CM Manohar Parrikar congratulated the armed forces on Army Day.
Army Chief General Bipin Rawat Tuesday said that the Indian Army will not hesitate to take strong action to deal with terror activities along the western border. Speaking at the annual Army Day event at the Cariappa Parade Ground in New Delhi, Rawat, taking an alleged dig at Pakistan, said, "The country along our western border is providing support to terror groups. We are dealing with them effectively."
"We are ensuring moral dominance along the border in Jammu and Kashmir," General Rawat added.
The Army Chief also said that new guidelines are being followed to maintain peace and tranquillity along the border in the eastern sector.
"We will keep reviewing the situation along eastern border. Our soldiers will not allow any compromise in guarding border in eastern sector," the Army Chief said.
Major restructuring and modernisation of Army is being done to suit modern defence standards, the Army Chief said.
Punjab CM Capt. Amarinder Singh wishes the armed forces on Army Day.
General Bipin Rawat at the Army Day event in New Delhi. (Express photo by Tashi Tobgyal)
General Bipin Rawat with the kin of a martyred soldier at the Army Day event in New Delhi. (Express photo by Tashi Tobgyal)
Army General Bipin Rawat at the event. (Express photo by Tashi Tobgyal)
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee wishes armed force on Army Day.
A wreath laying ceremony was organised at Vijay Smarak, Fort William, Kolkata on Army Day.
Actor Anupam Kher wishes armed forces on the 71st Army Day.
Telangana CM N Chandrababu Naidu wished the armed forces on Army Day.
Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad wishes the armed forces on Army Day
PM Narendra Modi Tuesday wished the armed forces and their families on Army Day. Taking to Twitter, the PM said the nation is proud of the dedication and determination of the armed forces.