Women Agniveer Contingent feature in Army Day parade

Mumbai: In a remarkable first, two special contingents participated in the Army Day parade in Pune - the Women Agniveer Contingent from the Corps of Military Police, symbolising the increasing role of women in the Indian Army, and the Girl's NCC Contingent from Maharashtra Directorate.

These contingents reflected the progress and inclusivity of the Indian Armed Forces.

The Army Day Parade commemorates Field Marshal K M Cariappa’s appointment as the first Indian Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army in 1949, symbolizing India’s post-independence military leadership. Traditionally held in Delhi, the parade began rotating to different cities in 2023, starting with Bengaluru, followed by Lucknow in 2024.

Pune’s selection for the 2025 parade highlights the city’s historic ties to the Armed Forces and its role as the headquarters of the Indian Army’s Southern Command.

General Upendra Dwivedi, the Chief of Army Staff, was the Reviewing Officer, for the 77th Army Day parade at the Bombay Engineers Group and Centre Parade Ground in Pune, during which he addressed the officers and jawans.

The event was attended by various military and civil dignitaries -n General Anil Chauhan, Chief of DefenceStaff, Lt Gen NS Raja Subramani, Vice Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Command, Lt Gen Pawan Chadha, General Officer Commanding, Maharashtra, Gujarat & Goa Area, among other esteemed guests, including foreign dignitaries.

The 77th Army Day Parade was marked by the presentation of 52 prestigious awards. Among the highlights were 15 Sena Medals (Gallantry), including 8 posthumous awards, and 37 Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Unit Appreciations, which recognised the outstanding efforts of units across the command.

The Army chief expressed pride in the dedication of soldiers who continue to serve with commitment, whether in securing borders, performing disaster relief, or maintaining peace in challenging environments.

Gen Dwivedi assured that the army remains fully prepared for any situation on the Northern and Western borders, with ongoing improvements in critical infrastructure.

The parade featured an impressive march-past with eight distinguished marching contingents, representing various Regimental Centers, including the Maratha Regimental Centre, Belgaum, Artillery Centre Nashik, Army Ordnance Regimental Centre, Secunderabad, Mechanised Infantry Regimental Centre, Ahilya Nagar, Madras Regimental Centre, Wellington, the BEG Centre, Khadki and the mounted Army Service Corps Horse Contingent.

A fly-past by Sukhoi aircraft and Army helicopters further enhanced the grandeur of the parade.

The parade also honoured Param Vir Chakra and Ashok Chakra awardees, including Honorary Captain Yogendra Singh Yadav, PVC, Sub Major Sanjay Kumar, PVC and Colonel D Sreeram Kumar (Ashok Chakra), who attended the event as distinguished guests.

A highlight of the Army Day Parade was the performance by the Joint Armed Forces Military Band, conducted by Sub Major Prakash Chand Joshi.

The band included teams from various regimental centers, including the Madras Regiment, Bombay Engineer Group, The Guards Regiment Centre, Army Service Corps, Corps of Military Police and the PARA Regimental Centre.For the first time, the Nepal Army Band also participated in the parade, symbolising the synergy and deep cultural bonds between the Indian and Nepali army. Their performance added a unique touch to the event, highlighting the enduring friendship and cooperation between the two nations.

The 77th Army Day Parade also witnessed an impressive array of vehicle mounted contingents, equipment and cutting-edge technologies, showcasing the Indian Army’s advancements and preparedness for modern warfare. These formations presented a rare opportunity for the public to witness the advanced weaponry and military technology that empowers the Indian Army in safeguarding the nation.