Col Satish Singh Lalotra
‘We live by chance, we love by choice, we kill by profession.’
The armed forces of any nation-state is an extension and power projection of that country’s collective might in the comity of nations and doubles up as the ultimate carrier of a country’s Geo-political hedging when all else fails in achieving the same. In other words, army by engaging its enemies within and outside the national boundaries is indirectly achieving political ends as set forth by the ruling dispensation that has not been achieved by peaceful means. This delicate equation of a nation state with its armed forces draws its sustenance from each other’s strength that has to be maintained in all its sincerity if none has to fail in achieving its aim in finality -that is existence in the world order with a sense of responsibility. Indian army is no different than any other army of the world, albeit counting on its centuries old ties with the princely armies as also being the sword arm of its colonial master i.e Britain for more than two centuries and giving its remit in an unparalleled way in all the wars post 1857 mutiny onwards to include the Anglo-Afghan wars, the Boxer war in China, the 1st WW and the 2nd WW etc. Indian soldiers Cemeteries spanning from Dunkrik to Tobruk , Haifa , Baghdad ,Kabul and Kota Bharu in the far eastern Asia as part of common wealth countries is a bespoken quality of their unflinching resolve and dedication to their ‘Naam,Namak and Nishan that lie buried in them spanning more than 200 years while fighting foreign armies under the Union Jack colours. But that was all when the foreign masters ruled the roost in the sub-continent till 1947.
The date of 15th January every year rings a bell in the army fraternity with a host of emotions irrespective of the ranks being donned, signaling a seminal tryst with the final indigenization of the top order of its command which saw Field Marshal KM Cariappa, OBE taking over the reins of the Indian army from British General FR Roy Bucher on this day in the year 1949. This was an unprecedented act in the annals of Indian sub-continent, since from times of yore never ever in the entire geographical history and boundary from Gujarat to Arunachal Pradesh and Kashmir to Kanyakumari militarily the country was under the unified command of an Indian. The day resonates with honouring the acts of valour, sacrifices, and unwavering commitment of the Indian army towards maintaining the sanctity of India’s territorial integrity and sovereignty since the time this nation called up its armed forces to do their bidding as explained above. With each member of the Indian army lugging the proverbial ‘Unlimited liability’ towards the country it necessitates a soldier’s behavior to be contrary to his natural instincts and morally binds him walk in the line of fire ,irrespective of personal danger. And the fundamental import is unmistakably military and Indian in nature. Till recently this annual army extravaganza used to be the center piece of celebrations at the national capital Delhi infusing the capital crowds with a nostalgic aura of its existence down the ages followed by an equally grand investiture ceremony conferring gallantry awards to its members that had shown exemplary courage and fortitude in the face of enemy. This march past is generally taken as a precursor for the annual RD Parade which is the cynosure of millions of Indians both within India as well as ex-India.
But with the advent of Modi dispensation since 2014 that has been at the forefront of an inclusive approach towards events of such national importance and taking it to all the corners of the country, this time for the year 2024 the same has been planned at Lucknow ; the headquarters of ‘Central command ‘ of the Indian army . With last year heralding the army day parade at southern command Bangalore, it was not a surprise that the event would cross the ‘Vindhyachal & Satpura divide and plonk itself in the heart land of India (Lucknow) to hold the Government’s intent in letter and spirit. Similarly to give a big boost to the ‘Def Expo’ -Defence exposition a ‘Pan India approach as also to up the ante for defence industries of the country to meet the demands of its armed forces this event too has been doing rounds all over the country having been taken out from the confines of ‘Pragati Maidan’ at Delhi. This time the theme for Indian Army Day 2024 that has been reserved by authorities focuses on ‘In service of the nation’. It encapsulates the core essence of the IA’s existence-to serve the nation with unwavering commitment, dedication and professionalism. The theme resonates with the Indian army’s motto ‘Service before self’ emphasizing the primacy of national service over individual interests. It underscores the Indian army’s unwavering commitment to protecting the nation’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and the well-being of its citizens. The center piece of the celebrations will be a grand parade in Lucknow, showcasing the Indian army’s strength, discipline and operational readiness. Witnessing of the march past in a synchronized manner of various regiments each with its unique history and traditions symbolizing the centrality of our country that follows adroitly ‘Unity in diversity’ will be the icing on the cake.
The onlookers will watch with their mouths agape as fighter jets and helicopters roar above them with a thunderous decibel capable of turning even a deaf and dumb into an avid watcher. The programme will further showcase the investiture ceremony that will have a special section concerning honouring the sacrifices of the veterans who have served the nation with bravery and distinction. The event is a reinforcing thought of vibrant cultural extravaganza featuring traditional dances, music and display of military heritage at is zenith. Now what could be the Government’s aim of choosing Lucknow as the city gracing this grand event? Well Lucknow holds a special place in the Indian military history having witnessed several battles of consequence and uprisings. The great 1857 Indian mutiny, Begum Hazart Mahal, Nawab Wazid Ali Shah, Nana Saheb Peshwa all are names that are firmly etched in the mental firmament of all Indians with a searing intensity that refuses to be washed away under the tide of time and events. Hosting the Army Day of 2024 is a way of country’s small effort to repay that debt and gratitude for being the ‘standard bearer’ of Indian resolve during the tumultuous days of freedom struggle. Not only the above, the city of Nawabs with its centrality of location in the country makes it an ideal venue to reach a wider and much diverse audience transcending the barriers of class, creed and sex. ‘Cultural diversity’ is that USP of Lucknow that acts like a magnet and provides a befitting backdrop for the army day celebrations ,highlighting the Indian army’s all-encompassing theme of inclusivity and unity in diversity.
In so far as the impact of this army day celebrations in a place like Lucknow is concerned, it instills a sense of pride and patriotism amongst the citizenry of tier -2 cities too with a seminal indication that Delhi itself is not hallmark and repository of such events. The Government of the day wants to make the army as a beacon of inspiration to young minds, motivating them to consider a much more sublime path of existence and earning their names while earning their bread too simultaneously. The event will go a long way in fostering cum strengthening of civil-military bonhomie and camaraderie, those a thousand meetings and conferences on civil-military liaison can’t forge in their entirety. The present grandiose concept of the ruling dispensation of taking such events out from the confines of national capital region amounts to extending the ‘Indian Army Day’ ethos beyond the parade ground and injecting it into the sinews of the masses for times to come. As India’s military landscape continually evolves, the army day remains a steadfast reminder of the nation’s rich military heritage and the unflinching commitment towards its concept of ‘Unlimited liability’ for the nation that refuses to lose its sheen. The celebrations in the Hindi heartland of the country will blow the bugle of change the way its people look towards its armed forces.
(The writer is a retired army officer)
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