Army Day was celebrated with great fanfare and gusto by Sudharshan Chakra Corps at Dronachal, Bhopal, on 15 January 2020. The day began with a solemn wreath laying ceremony at the Sudharshan Chakra War Memorial by Lieutenant General Yogendra Dimri, AVSM, VSM, General Officer Commanding Sudharshan Chakra Corps. The ceremony was attended by a large number of officers and jawans of the Corps.
The evening was dedicated to the citizens of Bhopal who thronged in large numbers to witness the Army Day Celebrations at Yodhasthal, Bhopal. Yodhasthal, a prominent tourist attraction of Bhopal which is now also home to a Mig-23 fighter aircraft, was all decked up for the event.
The event was organised at Prerna Stambh, dedicated to the gallantry award winners of Madhya Pradesh.
The programme ensued with a performance by the Pipe Band. A welcome song was followed by a march past and a number of other martial tunes as well as patriotic songs enthralled the audience.
Other highlights of the event included Taekwondo martial arts display and a musical bonanza by students of Army Public School.
The event at Bhopal was organised at Prerna Stambh to pay homage to martyrs and motivate the youth who had assembled at Yodhasthal. The Mig-23 and other artifacts especially drew large footfalls of civilians who found it fascinating to be acquainted with the aircraft as well as various other military equipment and weapons. The event invoked patriotic fervour and confidence towards the Armd Forces of the country.
Army Day is celebrated on 15 January every year, to commemorate Field Marshal KM Cariappa’s taking over as the first Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army from General Sir Francis Butcher in 1949.