NAME : AGGANOOR AARTHI RANK : CADET REGIMENT NUMBER : TS20SWA108344 COLLEGE :ST.FRANCIS JUNIOR COLLEGE FOR WOMEN, SECUNDERABAD UNIT : 1(T) GIRLS BN NCC GROUP : SECUNDERABAD GROUP DIRECTORATE : AP & TS DIRECTORATE IMPORTANT DAYS IN THE INDIAN DEFENCE ESTABLISHMENT

In this particular article we are going to give knowledge about some important days with regard to the Indian Defence Forces and the reason why these days are commemorated.

India celebrates its military achievements and foundation days of its forces on various dates. Here’s a list of some such days:

Indian Army Day: This day is celebrated on 15th of January every year. On this day in 1949, Field Marshall Kodandera Madappa Cariappa took over as the first commander in chief of the from General Francis Butcher, who was the last British General of the Indian Army. This day is very prodigiously celebrated every year to mark the supreme sacrifices of our gallant soldiers. On this day the whole defense fraternity gathers at gate to pay their obeisance to the soldiers who gave their life for the country. The motto of the Indian Army is “Service Before Self”.

Indian Airforce Day: Indian Airforce Day is observed every year on 8th October. On this very day in 1932, the was officially established by the British Raj. It's first flight was on 01 April 1933. At that time it possessed 6 Officers of the Royal Airforce (RAF) and 16 sepoys. Since then the Indian Airforce has never looked back. It has served unstintingly throughout the years and always brought glory to the nation. The motto of the Indian Air Force is “Touch The Sky With Glory”. Day :- Indian Navy Day is celebrated every year on 4th December. The day commemorates the Indian Navy’s daring assault on its Pakistani counterpart during the 1971 war between the two nations. Called , the assault saw the Navy sink several Pakistani vessels and kill scores of Pakistan Navy personnel. This resulted in a decisive victory for India which liberated East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) from the Pakistani control. This day is very ebulliently celebrated across the country to commemorate the achievements and sacrifices of our naval personnel. The motto of the Indian Navy is “May the Lord of the Oceans be Auspicious unto us” or “Sham NoVarunah”.

Indian Coast Guard Day: The Day is observed on 1st February every year. On this day in 1977, the interim Indian Coast Guard was set up with 2 ships and 5 patrol boats acquired from the Indian Navy. The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) was established on February 1, 1977 on an “interim” basis. The force formally came into being on August 18, 1978. It is tasked with protecting India’s maritime interests and enforcing maritime law. The motto of Indian Coast Guard is “We Protect” or “Vayam Rakshamah”.

Armed Forces Flag Day :- The Armed Forces Flag Day is observed on 7th December every year since 1949. The sole purpose of celebrating this day is to procure funds for the welfare of the Armed Forces Personnel by selling flag stickers. This day, the nation commemorates its soldiers, airmen and sailors who laid down their lives to protect their motherland.

Kargil Vijay Diwas :- This day is celebrated on 26th July every year. On this day in 1999 the Indian Army achieved another milestone by recapturing all the outposts which had been usurped by Pakistani Intruders in the 1999 Indo-Pak war. The 60 day long war resulted in the loss of 527 Indian soldiers. This day the whole country pays their respect to the brave-hearts. Vijay Diwas: This day is observed on 16th December every year to reminisce another Indian victory over Pakistan. On this day in 1971, the Pakistani Army chief A.A.K Niazi surrendered along with 93,000 soldiers to the Indian Army and Bangladesh Liberation Army (Mukti Bahini). This was the largest surrender of troops by a nation after the second world war and that too in mere 13 days. Certainly this speaks volumes about the character of which the Indian Army is made of.

JAI HIND