The Indian Army will shift its annual Army Day Parade, held on January 15, from New Delhi to the Southern command area next year in an effort to showcase its prowess and capabilities to the people of other regions. 

Till now, the parade was held only in the national capital.  The headquarters of the Southern Command is located in Pune.

Incidentally, the Air Force Day annual parade also will take place this year outside the national capital for the first time, on October 8 in Chandigarh.   The fly past and parade will be held there instead of Hindan airbase, Ghaziabad.

The annual high profile event, till now, used to take place at the Hindan airbase for the past few years after shifting from the Palam airbase in 2006.  The Palam airbase hosted the annual event for many decades. As regards the decision to shift the annual Army Day parade, sources said here on Monday, the main reason is to reach out to more people and apprise them of the ethos of the force.  It will be the 75th Army Day parade.

On this day in 1949, the Indian Army got its first chief. Lieutenant General KM Cariappa took over as the reins of the armed force as first Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army from General Sir Francis Butcher, the last British Commander-in-Chief of India.

Holding the Army Day parade in different parts of the country will instill a sense of patriotism and encourage youth to join the Army, they said adding the venue will be decided shortly. On holding the annual Air Force Day event, sources said after gauging the response of this year’s parade and fly past, the IAF may hold the annual parade, in other cities of the country in the coming years. The main objective of shifting the fly past from the national capital region is to expose the general masses to the IAF especially the thrilling aerobatics performed by front line fighter jets, they said.  These demonstrations may also inspire youngsters to opt for a career in the IAF, sources said.

The fly past this year may take place in the backdrop of the Sukhna Lake in Chandigarh where a large number of people from nearby towns can also come and see the gala event.

The IAF will showcase most of its frontline fighter jets including the newly inducted Rafales, SU-30, Mirage, Mig 29s and Jaguars.  The Surya Kiran and Sarang teams will also perform hair raising aerobatic stunts. The decision to have the IAF fly past in Chandigarh comes at a time when the present NDA government has hosted several high profile events outside the national capital. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has hosted several foreign VIPs in different cities.

Moreover, the prestigious defence exhibition Def Expo is also being held in different cities for the past few years after shifting from New Delhi, they said.  Besides involving local people, the aim of holding these events in other cities is to promote tourism and the economy of that region, they said.