Hon'ble President of India Shri Ram Nath Kovind
On Indian Army Day today, President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted the officers and troops of the Indian Army. Every citizen of the country has "unwavering trust and pride" in the Indian Army, the Prime Minister said. January 15 is observed every year as Army Day in India. On this day in 1949, Field Marshal Kodandera M Cariappa took over as the first Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army from General Sir Francis Butcher, the last British Commanderin-Chief. Army day is dedicated to the soldiers who fought to safeguard the country's honour. On 70th Army Day today, President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted the officers and troops of the Indian Army. Every citizen of the country has "unwavering trust and pride" in the Indian Army, the Prime Minister said.
On 70th Army day, a look at Gallantry Awards of the Indian Army:
Gallantry awards of the Indian Army are classified into two categories: gallantry in the face of enemy and gallantry other than in the face of enemy. The medals awarded by the President of India for gallantry displayed at the battlefield are:
1. Param Vir Chakra (PVC)
2. Mahavir Chakra (MVC)
3. Vir Chakra
4. Sena Medal, Nao Sena Medal, Vayu Sena Medal
5. Mention in Dispatches
6. Chiefs of Staff Commendation Card
The Param Vir Chakra is the highest military award. Subedar Major Bana Singh, Naib Subedar Sanjay Kumar and Subedar Yogendra Singh Yadav are the only living recipients of the Pram Vir Chakra award. So far, the Mahavir Chakra has been awarded to 218 martyrs for their selfless courage in the battlefield. Most Mahavir Chakra medals were awarded after
Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. Vir Chakra is third in precedence and was first awarded in 1947 to Nadikerianda Bheemaiah and R Kanikasamy for Kashmir war.
In the second category, the medals are awarded by the President of India for gallantry displayed away from the battlefield:
1. Ashok Chakra
2. Kirti Chakra
3. Shaurya Chakra
4. Sena Medal, Nao Sena Medal, Vayu Sena Medal
5. Mention in Dispatches
6. Chiefs of Staff Commendation Card Ashok Chakra is India's highest peacetime military award. Last year, Havildar Hangpan Dada was awarded the Ashoka Chakra for killing four terrorists who had infiltrated into north Kashmir. Five Kirti Chakras, 17 Shaurya Chakras, 85 Sena Medals, three Nao Sena Medals and two Vayu Sena Medals were also awarded.
India remembers its bravehearts on 70th Army Day
Chief of Army Staff Bipin Rawat, Chief of the Naval Staff Sunil Lanba, and Air Chief Marshal B S Dhanoa paid tribute to India's bravehearts at Amar Jawan Jyoti on the 70th Army Day. The day commemorates the valiant soldiers for their sacrifice to the nation and its citizens. On the occasion, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter to extend greetings to the soldiers and their families and paid salute to the army. "On Army Day, I convey greetings to the soldiers, veterans and their families. Every citizen of India has unwavering trust and pride in our Army, which protects the nation and is also at the forefront of humanitarian efforts during times of natural disasters and other accidents," Modi wrote on Twitter. In another tweet, he said, "Our Army always puts the nation first. I salute all those great individuals who sacrificed their lives while serving the nation. India will never forget our valiant heroes." Finance Minister Arun Jaitley also honoured the courage and bravery of the soldiers. "On #ArmyDay we remember the indomitable courage and supreme sacrifices of our soldiers & salute their exemplary dedication & bravery. # ArmyDay2018," Jaitley wrote on Twitter. Union Minister Rajyavardhan Rathore posted, "Salute to band of brothers. Nation first, always and every time. #ArmyDay." Paying tribute to the soldiers, Congress chief Rahul Gandhi wrote, "We salute the valour, courage and sacrifice of our brave jawans on #ArmyDay. Your perseverance defends our freedom; your dedication shields our liberty. It's because of your sacrifices a billion hopes and dreams can take shape." Union Minister Smriti Irani posted, "On Army Day, a grateful Nation salutes the courage and spirit of selfless service of our armed forces personnel." Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani also took to Twitter and wrote, "Let's salute our real heroes for their indomitable courage, valour, ultimate sacrifice and dedication towards the NATION. #ArmyDay." Army Day is celebrated annually on January 15.