71st Army Day: The Nation Joins PM, President in Saluting Soldiers

On Army Day, an annual parade is held at Delhi’s Cariappa Parade Ground every year.

On the occasion of the 71st Army Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Ram Nath Kovind on Tuesday, 15 January, said that the country was proud of its soldiers.

Army Day is celebrated on 15 January every year as it marks the day Lieutenant General KM Cariappa took over as India’s first Commander-in-Chief from General Sir Francis Butcher in 1949.

On the occasion, an annual parade is held at Delhi’s Cariappa Parade Ground.

President Ram Nath Kovind’s wrote on Twitter that the “valiant men and women of the Indian Army” were our “nation’s pride” and “sentinels of our liberty.”

On Army Day, greetings to the valiant men and women of the Indian Army, to veterans and their families. You are our nation’s pride, the sentinels of our liberty. Citizens sleep securely knowing you are ever awake and ever vigilant #PresidentKovind

— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) January 15, 2019

PM Modi also said that the country is “proud” of the Indian Army.

सेना दिवस के अवसर पर हमारे जवानों, पूर्व सैनिकों और उनके परिवारों को बहुत-बहुत शुभकामनाएं। हम सभी देशवासियों को अपने सैनिकों के दृढ़ संकल्प एवं समर्पण पर गर्व है। मैं उनके अदम्य साहस एवं वीरता को प्रणाम करता हूं।

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 15, 2019

Air Force, Coast Guard Hail the Army

Congratulations to Indian Army : On the occasion of the Army Day, Chief of the Air Staff and all Air-Warriors of IAF wish Indian Army personnel & their families, a very happy #armyday2019 .#ServiceBeforeSelf #स्वयं_से_पहले_सेवा pic.twitter.com/K031722SxI

— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) January 15, 2019

On the occasion of Army Day 2019, All ranks of @IndiaCoastGuard & families join me in wishing Indian Army fraternity and family members a very Happy Army Day 2019 - Director General Rajendra Singh DGICG @adgpi pic.twitter.com/mgPxxV3pIQ

— Indian Coast Guard (@IndiaCoastGuard) January 15, 2019

Army Chief General Bipin Rawat also congratulated soldiers, officers, veterans and their families on Army Day.

#COAS Gen Bipin Rawat congratulates all ranks, families, our Veterans & Veer Naris & Armed Forces fraternity on 71st #ArmyDay. #IndianArmy#NationFirst@PIB_India @SpokespersonMoD pic.twitter.com/XcF58ykSM2

— ADG PI - INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) January 15, 2019

Former Army chief General Ved Prakash Malik also took to twitter to wish “success” to the soldiers.

Army Day 2019. Warm greetings to all Army personnel. Specially to those posted on combat duties along LoC, LAC and on CI/CT missions. Wishing you success in all your endeavours.

— Vedmalik (@Vedmalik1) January 14, 2019

Nation ‘Salutes’ Men and Women in Uniform

On the occasion, Union Minister Smriti Irani said that "a grateful nation salutes the indomitable spirit of our men and women in uniform on Army Day.”

जो न्योछावर करते है अपना सर्वस्व माँ भारती के सम्मान में, जिनका शौर्य देता है प्रेरणा जन जन को; जो रहते है सरहद पर तैनात अडिग, अमर ऐसे शूरवीरों को प्रणाम।

A grateful Nation salutes the indomitable spirit of our men & women in uniform on #ArmyDay. pic.twitter.com/Fy0F3kUkjv

— Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) January 15, 2019

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, too, tweeted: “It is a day to remember the glory of Indian Army.”

Greetings on the occasion of #ArmyDay. It is a day to remember the glory of #IndianArmy and to salute the valiant soldiers, who have sacrificed their lives for the Nation.. pic.twitter.com/q1rajLMQSY

— Ashok Gehlot (@ashokgehlot51) January 15, 2019