By: Lt Col JS Sodhi (Retd), Editor, GSDN
As was appropriate the Indian Army’s decision to hold the annual Army Day Parade of 2025 in Pune, Maharashtra which has a strong linkage and legacy with the Indian Army historically, the Army Day 2025 conducted with military precision and professionalism on January 15, 2025 in the Bombay Engineer Group & Centre, Khadki, Pune and organised by the largest command of the Indian Army, the Southern Command. The day long affair comprising the Parade in the morning and Gaurav Gatha in the evening, aptly displayed India’s military might.
At sharp 8 am in the slight wintry morning of January 15, 2025, with the arrival of Major General Anurag Vig, the General Officer Commanding, Pune Sub Area as the Parade Commander, the annual Army Day Parade commenced. Slightly earlier, Brigadier Paramjit Singh Jyoti, VSM, Commandant, Bombay Engineer Group & Centre had taken his place as the Parade Second-in-Command.
Soon thereafter Lieutenant General Pawan Chadha, VSM, General Officer Commanding Maharashtra, Gujarat and Goa Area and then Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth, AVSM, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Command took the General Salute from the Parade comprising the Indian Army’s finest soldiers belonging to various Arms & Services.
As the clock struck 8.40 am and the Sun shining brightly making the day look beautiful, General Upendra Dwivedi, PVSM, AVSM, ADC, the 30th Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), Indian Army arrived and was accorded the General Salute. Thereafter, the COAS reviewed the Parade and, in his address, spelt out the achievements and vision of the Indian Army. The COAS in his address also spoke about the futuristic challenges that the Indian Army is fully geared to combat and thanked the Indian Air Force and the Indian Navy for their continued cooperation. The address was followed by distribution of awards.
The March Past was very impressive with demo-type drill and fantastic word of command. The Equipment & Tableau Display showcased the prowess of the Indian Army and its steely resolve to combat the rapidly changing dimensions of modern warfare that encompasses Multi-Domain Operations.
As the Sun was setting, Gaurav Gatha, a sound and light show encapsulated Indian Army’s rich history and heritage in the Bhagat Pavilion of the BEG & Centre. Preceding the Gaurav Gatha were two short movies on the themes “Indian Army: Forging the Future” and “Regimentation” following by Bhangra, a traditional folk dance performed by Punjab Regiment.
Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth, AVSM, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Command, welcomed all those present for the Gaurav Gatha and assured the nation of the Indian Army’s preparedness to combat any external and internal threats.
Gaurav Gatha was inaugurated by Rajnath Singh, the Defence Minister of India who in his address stressed the need for preparedness of the Indian Army for Multi-Domain Operations and the success of Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives which have been successful in reforming the Indian defence manufacturing sector.
The superb concept and awesome execution of Gaurav Gatha left everyone spellbound and the non-stop applause of the spectators was a testament of the great narration and phenomenal professionalism of the Indian Army.
The arrangements and execution for both the functions of the Army Day Parade 2025 were world-class and it made every spectator present proud of the Indian Army that is renowned the world over for its professionalism and bravery.
