Current Events :
January 15
Every year on January 15, India celebrates Army Day to honour the valour, dedication and sacrifices of its soldiers. This significant day commemorates the momentous occasion in 1949, when General (later Field Marshal) KM Cariappa took over as the first Indian Commander-in-Chief of the Army from General Sir Francis Butcher, the last British Commander-in-Chief. This event marked a critical milestone in India’s post-Independence history, symbolising the nation’s growing self-reliance and sovereignty in defence matters.
Army Day is a tribute to the men and women of the Army, which serves the nation with unflinching dedication. The day is a reminder of their vital role in safeguarding India’s territorial integrity and maintaining peace and security within its borders. It also acknowledges their contributions during natural disasters, internal crises and international peacekeeping missions.
India’s Army, one of the largest and most professional in the world, has a rich legacy of bravery and strategic acumen. The day is not just a celebration of its past achievements but also an occasion to reaffirm its commitment to upholding the values of the Constitution and serving the people of India.
The main Army Day parade takes place at Cariappa Parade Ground in Delhi Cantonment. This event showcases the strength, discipline and technological advancements of the Army. The parade includes a display of military equipment, advanced weaponry and battle strategies, alongside cultural performances that reflect the diversity of the nation. Gallantry awards and medals, including the Param Vir Chakra and Vir Chakra, are also presented on this occasion to recognise acts of exceptional bravery and selflessness.
In addition to the parade, the day is marked by military drills, exhibitions and ceremonies across the country. These events provide an opportunity for the public to interact with soldiers and learn more about the Army’s operations and contributions. The day also sees tributes being paid to fallen soldiers at war memorials, including the iconic India Gate in New Delhi.
The Army has a long history of courage and resilience. From the Kargil War of 1999 to peacekeeping missions under the United Nations, the Army has consistently demonstrated its commitment to duty. It plays a crucial role in disaster management, rescue operations and rebuilding efforts during floods, earthquakes and other calamities.
The Army’s role extends beyond national security; it is a symbol of national unity and pride. Its motto, ‘Service Before Self’, reflects its ethos of placing the nation above personal interests.
Army Day is a celebration of the spirit of the Indian Army and its unwavering commitment to protecting the nation. It is a day to express gratitude to the soldiers, who stand vigilant at the borders, often in extreme conditions, to ensure the safety of 1.4 billion Indians.
As India continues to grow as a global power, the Army remains a cornerstone of its strength and sovereignty. On this day, the nation salutes its bravehearts, recognising their immense contributions to its freedom, security and progress.
In the wake of a controversy over the replacement of the iconic ‘1971 Surrender’ paint ing at the army chief’s lounge in South Block, General Upendra Dwivedi on Tues day defended the decision, stating that the new artwork symbolizes a bridge between India’s past, present, and future. The painting in question, which depicts the surrender of Pakistani forces during the Bangladesh Liberation War, was moved to the Manekshaw Centre in Delhi Cantonment in December last year. It was replaced by a new painting showcasing India’s military strength, with themes inspired by the Mahabharata, modern war fare, and historical symbols. The new artwork includes depictions of Chanakya, Garuda, and Krishna driving Arjuna’s chariot, alongside images of tanks, helicopters, and boats. In response to the back lash, the Additional Direc torate General of Public Information (ADGPI) issued a statement on social media, explaining: “This painting represents one of the greatest military victories of the Indian Armed Forces and underscores India’s com mitment to justice and humanity. Its new placement at the Manekshaw Centre will ensure it reaches a large and diverse audience, includ ing dignitaries from across the world.” A month later, during his annual press conference ahead of the 77th Army Day, General Dwivedi addressed the issue, explaining that the date 16 December was chosen for the relocation as an “auspicious date.” Regarding the new paint ing, the Army Chief said that it was created by Lieu tenant Colonel Thomas Jacob of the 28 Madras Regiment, a serving officer and a rep resentative of the younger generation of the Army. He added: “Coming to the painting which is there as of now [in South Block], this has been conceptualised and made by Lt Col Thomas [Jacob] of 28 Madras Regi ment, which is the younger generation [of the Army]. If you see the golden history of India ~ it has three chap ters. It has British era, Mughal era and the era before that. If we wished to connect that [history] and the Army’s vision, symbolism becomes important.” General Dwivedi empha sized that symbolism plays a crucial role in communi cation with the younger gen eration of officers and sol diers. “So, once you look at that, my communication with my younger generation ~ my young officers, my jawans, is equally impor tant.” Addressing concerns about the painting’s mytho logical elements, the COAS pointed out that Chapter 4 of the original Indian Con stitution includes an image of Krishna and Arjuna in the same chariot depicted in the artwork. He also defended the inclusion of a semi-clad Brahmin and the depiction of Chanakya near Pangong Tso, urging that India’s civilizational history should be recognized. “If you open Chapter 4 of the original Constitution book, the painting which is there is of Krishna and Arju na, of the same chariot. It is also being said that there is a semi-clad Brahmin stand ing at the centre on the banks of Pangong Tso. If the Indian does not know Chanakya, we need to refer back to our civilisational approach,” said the COAS.
Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi unveiled the 10th edition of the ‘SAM MAAN’ magazine during the 9th Armed Forces Veterans Day (AFVD) celebrations held in Pune today. The latest edition of the magazine highlights key ini tiatives by the Directorate of Indian Army Veterans (DIAV), including Project NAMAN, the Chatbot SAMBANDH, and VSK+. These initiatives reflect the Army’s unwavering commit ment to the welfare of its vet erans, embodying the core ethos of “Taking Care of Our Own.” The magazine also features updates from various veteran welfare organizations, illus trating significant progress in enhancing the quality of life for veterans and their families. The SAMMAAN magazine was unveiled simultaneously at multiple locations across India as part of the Veterans Day celebrations. General Dwivedi, accom panied by General Officer Commanding-in-Chief South ern Command, Lt. General Dhiraj Seth, also visited the Artificial Limb Centre, where he inaugurated a state-of the-art Upper Limb Training Lab and interacted with patients. He later attended the Veterans Lunch, which was attended by about 1,300 veterans from Maharashtra. During the event, the General honoured five distinguished veteran achievers and eight Veer Naris, including Veer Matas and Veer Pitas, and unveiled the “SAMMAAN” magazine dedicated to vet erans’ welfare. The COAS commended the veterans for their invalu able contributions to the nation and highlighted ini tiatives like VSK+ and Naman Kendras, which provide critical support to veterans. He also emphasized the vital role vet erans play in inspiring future generations and contributing to India’s progress. The event in New DelHI
began with a solemn wreath laying ceremony at the Nation al War Memorial to honour the sacrifices of fallen heroes. It was followed by a rally at the Manekshaw Centre, attended by senior military officials and about 2,500 veterans. Hero MotoCorp donated seven retrofitted scooters to serving disabled soldiers and veterans, and 40 stalls provided welfare-related infoR mation and support. The unveiling of SAMMAAN (Army), Vayu Samvedna (Air Force), and Sagar Samvad (Navy) magazines was also part of the event. The Veterans Day celebrations also took place at various military stations across the country, including Beng dubi, Jaipur, and Bareilly, where veterans and Veer Naris were felicitated for their exemplary service. These events highlighted the nation’s deep respect and gratitude for its heroes, with a focus on pro viding welfare support and skill development opportunities for veterans.
Asks it to dismantle terror infra or face consequences
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday reiterated India’s stance on Jammu and Kashmir being incomplete without Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir (PoK), and that Islamabad must stop using the territory to sponsor terrorism or be ready to face consequences.
Omar praises forces for safeguarding country
Terror launch pad
Neither in the 1965 war nor during the peak of terrorism did the J&K people side with Pakistan. Even today, over 80% of the terrorists infiltrating into India are born in Pakistan.
Rajnath Singh, Defence minister
Addressing an event on the occasion of Armed Forces Veterans Day at Akhnoor in Jammu, the minister said, “For Pakistan, PoK is nothing more than foreign territory. The people living there have been deprived of a dignified life. Efforts are being made by Pakistan to mislead and provoke the people against India in the name of religion.” The retort is being viewed as a reply to PoK Prime Minister Anwar-ul-Haq, who had recently called for jihad against India.
Rajnath said Pakistan must immediately dismantle its terror infrastructure. “PoK is being used as a base for terror training camps, which act as launch pads for infiltration. The Indian Government is well aware of the situation. Pakistan will have to put an end to its nefarious designs,” he said.
The minister said Pakistan had been fostering terrorism and infiltration since 1965, but had repeatedly failed to influence the people of J&K. “Neither during the 1965 war nor when terrorism was at its peak did the J&K people side with Pakistan. Even today, over 80 per cent of the terrorists infiltrating into India are born in Pakistan,” he said.
Rajnath said terrorism would have ended in 1965 itself had the then Indian regime “not given away the strategic advantages gained on the battlefield”. “The situation on the ground has significantly improved after the abrogation of Article 370,” he said.
Describing the scrapping of Article 370 as a crucial step towards bridging the gap between J&K and the rest of the nation, he said the veterans’ day event in Akhnoor was a testament to the fact that J&K would always remain an integral part of India.
L-G Manoj Sinha, CM Omar Abdullah and Army Chief Gen Anil Chauhan were among those present at the event at Tanda Artillery Brigade. Rajnath interacted with ex-servicemen and expressed gratitude to the armed forces’ personnel, both retired and serving, for safeguarding the country’s borders.
In a landmark event in indigenous ship-building capabilities, two frontline warships and a Kalvari-class submarine will join the Indian Navy tomorrow. The commissioning of three war-fighting assets in a single day is unique achievement. PM Narendra Modi will dedicate these…
In a landmark event in indigenous ship-building capabilities, two frontline warships and a Kalvari-class submarine will join the Indian Navy tomorrow.
The commissioning of three war-fighting assets in a single day is unique achievement. PM Narendra Modi will dedicate these platforms to the nation. The ships include the stealth frigate Nilgiri, stealth destroyer Surat and submarine Vaghsheer. The event will be held at the naval dockyard at Mumbai. These inductions will be a transition of technology.
The Nilgiri is the first warship made using ‘integrated construction’ technique. Integrated construction entails various parts of a ship, particularly its hull, superstructure and internal systems getting designed to be manufactured in separate blocks of 250 tonnes each. Each block is built with precision to allow cabling and piping to pass through when two set of blocks are aligned and welded together seamlessly. This technique accelerates the speed of making warships.
The objections raised by Bangladesh notwithstanding, India has decided to go ahead with fencing on its territory along the border between the two countries. 800 km of the 4,096-km India’s border with Bangladesh is unfenced New Delhi had temporarily halted..
The objections raised by Bangladesh notwithstanding, India has decided to go ahead with fencing on its territory along the border between the two countries.
800 kmof the 4,096-km India’s border with Bangladesh is unfenced
New Delhi had temporarily halted the “single-line” fencing at two border points — Malda in West Bengal and Unakoti in Tripura — following objections by Dhaka, said sources. The fencing in 92 other border sections, however, was continuing, they said.
India shares 4,096-km-long border with Bangladesh and 800 km of it is unfenced.
Terming the fencing “unauthorised”, Bangladesh had on Sunday summoned Indian Ambassador Pranay Verma. India too on Monday called Bangladesh’s Acting High Commissioner Mohammad Nural Islam, conveying the message that “security measures at the border, including fencing, were being undertaken as per agreements reached between the two sides”. Single-line fencing is usually done within 150 yards of the border. “The border is defined. Our fencing is legitimate. The single-line fencing is being done at 92 points. It will be impractical to stop the projects now,” said highly placed sources in the security establishment.
The sources said the fencing pact was finalised during the Director General-level talks of the Border Security Force (BSF) and the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) in March 2024 in Dhaka. The agreement was subsequently vetted by both governments.
The current interim government in Dhaka, led by Nobel laureate Mohd Yunus, however, has been objecting to the projects, though it has not attributed any clear reason.
While the fencing was being done to check criminal activities, the objections seemed to have a political motive, the sources said. “It’s understood the hostilities towards India are percolating from the top leadership in Dhaka,” they said.
The tensions have escalated between the two sides after the BGB stopped the fencing in Malda and Unakoti on January 6. After meeting Indian Ambassador Verma on Sunday, Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Mohammad Jashim Uddin, in a statement, asked India to “refrain from any provocative actions that could escalate tensions along the border”. On Monday, the MEA reiterated its commitment to ensuring a crime-free border by effectively addressing the challenges of cross-border criminal activities, smuggling, movement of criminals and trafficking. “Barbed fence, border lighting, installation of technical devices and cattle fences are measures for securing the border,” it said.
The relations between India and Bangladesh suffered a blow in August last year after Mohd Yunus became the head of the interim government in Dhaka. The development came days after then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was ousted following weeks of violent protests. The differences also surfaced when Bangladesh sought the extradition of Hasina, who has been provided asylum in India. The BSF-BGB DG-level talks are scheduled next month in New Delhi and the border fencing, among other issues, is expected to be taken up.
January 14, 1761
The Third Battle of Panipat, fought on January 14, 1761, was one of the largest and bloodiest conflicts in the Indian history. It was a decisive confrontation between the Maratha empire and the Durrani empire, led by Ahmad Shah Abdali (also known as Ahmad Shah Durrani). This epic battle marked a turning point in Indian history, shaping the political and military landscape of the subcontinent for years to come.
By the mid-18th century, the Maratha empire had become the dominant power in India, extending its influence across vast territories. However, the weakening Mughal empire had left northern India vulnerable to invasions. Ahmad Shah, the founder of the Durrani empire in Afghanistan, sought to expand his control into the region. Alarmed by the growing strength of the Marathas, Abdali formed alliances with key regional powers, including the Rohilla Afghans and Shuja-ud-Daula, the Nawab of Awadh.
The Marathas, under the leadership of Sadashivrao Bhau, mobilised a massive army to counter Abdali’s advance. However, internal divisions and the lack of support from other Indian rulers weakened their position.
The two armies faced off on the plains of Panipat. Abdali’s forces, estimated at 1,00,000 men, included Afghan tribesmen, Persian troops and Indian allies. The Marathas, with a similar number, fielded a disciplined army equipped with artillery and cavalry.
The battle began in the early hours of January 14, 1761, and raged throughout the day. The Marathas launched a fierce assault, initially gaining the upper hand. However, Abdali’s superior military strategy and the betrayal of key Maratha allies turned the tide in his favour. The Maratha forces were outflanked and eventually overwhelmed by Abdali’s relentless attacks.
The Third Battle of Panipat was a catastrophe for the Marathas. Estimates suggest that over 1,00,000 soldiers and civilians were killed, making it one of the deadliest battles in history. The Maratha leadership suffered devastating losses, including the death of Sadashivrao Bhau and Vishwasrao, the heir to the Maratha throne.
For Ahmad Shah, the victory ensured his dominance in northern India, but it came at a heavy cost. His army suffered significant casualties, and he struggled to maintain control over the region in the long term.
The defeat at Panipat marked the end of Maratha expansion in northern India. It left a power vacuum that was eventually filled by the British East India Company, which began its steady rise to dominance. The battle also exposed the fragmentation and lack of unity among Indian rulers, a factor that facilitated foreign invasions and colonisation.
The Third Battle of Panipat remains a poignant reminder of the complexities of Indian history. It symbolises both the valour and the vulnerabilities of its warriors, leaving a lasting imprint on the nation’s collective memory. The battle is commemorated as a pivotal moment that reshaped the course of the Indian history.
A day after 45-year-old Harpreet Singh from Adampur lost his life due to Chinese kite string, his body was cremated today. His family members, including his wife Satinder Kaur, remained inconsolable. She demanded help for her children. Meanwhile, local…
A day after 45-year-old Harpreet Singh from Adampur lost his life due to Chinese kite string, his body was cremated today. His family members, including his wife Satinder Kaur, remained inconsolable.
She demanded help for her children. Meanwhile, local NGOs and the Adampur Press Club has decided to hold a candlelight march on Wednesday evening. They will demand action against those selling and buying chinese strings.
Hatinder Mehta, one of the members of the Adampur Press Club said such incidents should not happen again. “It is heartbreaking to see families suffer like this,” he said.
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Last year, a 13-year-old boy from Adampur had also lost his life when he had injuries on his throat by the deadly dor.
A resident of Jalandhar’s Adampur Harpreet was the only breadwinner for his family of four. “Our life has been ruined, I want strict action against those who still sell the banned string,” said Satinder Kaur, pointing to their two children.
“My husband couldn’t take even a day off. Even when he was with us enjoying a Lohri function, he wanted to go to work so that he could earn for us,” added inconsolable Satinder Kaur.
