The Indian Army celebrated its 77th Army Day with at the Bombay Engineers Group and Centre Parade Ground in Pune, Maharashtra, on 15th January 2025. General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of Army Staff (COAS), as the Reviewing Officer, took the salute during the spectacular parade, which was commanded by Major General Anurag Vij, General Officer Commanding, Dhakshin Maharashtra and Goa Sub Area.
The 77th Army Day Parade was marked by the presentation of 52 prestigious awards. Among the highlights were 15 Sena Medals (Gallantry), including 8 posthumous awards, and 37 Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Unit Appreciations, which recognised the outstanding efforts of units across the command. These accolades honoured the courage, dedication and exemplary service of personnel who continue to serve the nation with distinction.
In his address to the troops, General Upendra Dwivedi, COAS paid tributes to those brave souls who have made the supreme sacrifice for the nation’s defence and assured their families that their well-being remains a priority. He also expressed pride in the dedication of soldiers who continue to serve with commitment, whether in securing borders, performing disaster relief, or maintaining peace in challenging environments. General Dwivedi also assured the army full preparedness for any situation at the border or internally.
Women Agniveers from the Corps of Military Police and the Girl’s NCC Contingent from Maharashtra Directorate took centre stage at the prestigious Army Day Parade marking a significant milestone in the Indian Army’s journey towards gender inclusion and empowerment.
Speaking with IANS, Agniveer Lakshmi Bisht expressed her joy, saying, “I am proud to be an Agniveer. To parade on Army Day and Republic Day in such a short time is a great honour. As Agniveers, we are doing the same as other soldiers, and this is a huge opportunity for women who wish to serve the nation. It’s wonderful to be part of this change.”
Fellow Agniveer Anamika echoed her sentiments, saying, “It feels amazing to be part of the Army Day parade. It’s a significant moment for all of us. Serving the country as an Agniveer is a dream come true, and I feel proud to be here.”
Renuka Kumari, another Agniveer, shared her pride in fulfilling her dream of joining the Indian Army. “It’s a dream come true. After joining the Agniveer initiative, I had the honour of parading on Republic Day, and now on Army Day. It’s a big achievement, especially for women who are now getting opportunities to join the Army,” she said.
For Agniveer Neha Jat, the experience was equally fulfilling. “There is no difference between Agniveers and other service personnel. We are treated equally and given the same respect. Joining the Army was my dream, and now, with the Agniveer scheme, I feel like my life has changed. Parading in front of the Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Staff is a moment I will cherish forever,” Neha remarked.
The women’s contingent was led by Captain Sandhya, who expressed immense pride in guiding the motivated women soldiers.
“It was an honour to lead such a determined group of women. We have been practicing for over 40 days, and today, seeing them march with such enthusiasm fills me with pride,” said Captain Sandhya.
The parade featured an impressive march-past with eight distinguished marching contingents, representing various Regimental Centers, including the Maratha Regimental Centre, Belgaum, Artillery Centre Nashik, Army Ordnance Regimental Centre, Secunderabad, Mechanised Infantry Regimental Centre, Ahilya Nagar, Madras Regimental Centre, Wellington, the BEG Centre, Khadki and the mounted Army Service Corps Horse Contingent.
A highlight of the Army Day Parade was the performance by the Joint Armed Forces Military Band, conducted by Sub Major Prakash Chand Joshi. The band included teams from various regimental centers, including the Madras Regiment, Bombay Engineer Group, The Guards Regiment Centre, Army Service Corps, Corps of Military Police and the PARA Regimental Centre. For the first time, the Nepal Army Band also participated in the parade, symbolising the synergy and deep cultural bonds between the Indian and Nepali army.
The 77th Army Day Parade also witnessed an impressive array of vehicle mounted contingents, equipment and cutting-edge technologies, showcasing the Indian Army’s advancements and preparedness for modern warfare.
(With inputs from IANS)
