Defence Minister addresses Gaurav Gatha as part of 77^th Army Day celebrations in Pune

• Govt is transformingthe Armed Forces into a modern warfare machine in view of dynamic geopolitical world order: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh at 77^th Army Day celebrations in Pune

• Exhorts the Armed Forces to always remain ready to face any challenge

• “Our focus is on equipping soldiers with latest weapons & platforms and modernisation through self-reliance”

• “India cannot depend on other countries for its security; Aatmanirbharta must to achieve strategic autonomy”

New Delhi. “Government is leaving no stone unturned to transform the Armed Forces into a modern warfare machine in view of the dynamic geopolitical world order and the constantly-changing character of warfare,” said Defence Minister Rajnath Singh during his address at ‘Gaurav Gatha’, an event organised in Pune on January 15, 2025 as part of the 77^th Army Day celebrations. Defence Minister highlighted the increasing use of unconventional and asymmetrical methods in today’s warfare, and exhorted the Armed Forces to always remain vigilant and ready to face any challenge.

“Conflicts and wars will become more violent & unpredictable. The emergence of non-state actors in many countries and their resorting to terrorism is also a matter of concern. Due to the rapid technological advancements, future wars witness a change to a great extent. Cyber and space domains are rapidly emerging as new war zones. Along with this, a war of narrative as well as perception is also being fought all over the world. The military must focus on holistic capacity building and reforms,” said Mr. Rajnath Singh.

Defence Minister emphasised on the need of a robust security system, strong military and secure borders to realise Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047. He asserted that the Ministry of Defence (MoD) is constantly striving to bolster the strength of the Armed Forces by equipping them with latest weapons & platforms, and the focus is on modernisation through self-reliance.

“India is currently going through a phase of transition. We are moving forward from being a developing country to a developed one. To become Viksit Bharat, every section of society will have to contribute. But their contribution will only be meaningful when our security apparatus is fool-proof & borders are safe. The security system will be robust only when our military is strong. No nation can develop unless its military is powerful,” said Mr. Rajnath Singh.

Defence Minister echoed the Government’s emphasis on the fact that a strong military is a must to ensure peace. He highlighted that India has always prioritised ‘Buddha’ over ‘Yuddha’, and the Armed Forces have, time-and-again, proved that peace is not a weakness, but a sign of strength.

Highlighting the giant strides made towards attaining ‘Aatmanirbharta’ in defence manufacturing, Mr. Rajnath Singh stated that without self-reliance, India cannot achieve strategic autonomy. “A country like India cannot depend on other countries for its security. Today, we are not only manufacturing military equipment on Indian soil, but are exporting them. Domestic defence production touched the record figure of Rs 1.27 lakh crore in the last financial year, while defence exports, which were around Rs 2,000 crore a decade ago, crossed the record figure of Rs 21,000 crore,” he said.

Defence Minister enumerated the steps taken by the Government to promote self-reliance, including the notification of positive indigenisation lists of over 5,500 items. He stated that MoD is moving ahead at an unprecedented pace and in a planned manner towards making the defence sector strong and ‘Aatmanirbhar’.

On 2025 being declared as the Year of Reforms in MoD, Mr. Rajnath Singh stated that efforts will be made to bring-in reforms which will ensure modernisation of the Armed Forces. He exuded confidence that with concerted efforts, India will soon become Viksit Bharat and its military one of the strongest in the world.

Defence Minister paid tributes to the country’s brave soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice in the service of the motherland while safeguarding the borders with unmatched valour & commitment. He commended the Indian Army personnel for protecting the nation from external threats, and playing a crucial role in dealing with internal challenges & natural disasters.

“The might of our Armed Forces is such that the adversary does not dare to wage war against India. But, natural disasters are not in our control. Whenever disasters occur, our forces play an active role in the relief and rescue efforts. And, this is not only limited to India. In other countries too, our military is the first responder. It acts as a representative of the Indian value of helping others in the times of trouble,” said Mr. Rajnath Singh.

On the occasion, Defence Minister virtually laid the foundation stone for the Army Paralympic Node, which will be established at Dighi, Pune. He expressed confidence that the Node will inspire the Divyang soldiers of the Indian Army to participate in international events such as Paralympics, Commonwealth & Asian Para Games and bring laurels to the nation.

Mr. Rajnath Singh also launched the Bharat Ranbhoomi Darshan App, through which the people of the country will be able to visit historical war zones easily and learn about them. A commemorative medallion marking the 352^nd Coronation of Shivaji, along with a special day cover, was also released.

In a heart-warming moment, Defence Minister also felicitated eight Veer Naris and the next of kin of brave soldiers, acknowledging their sacrifice and courage. Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi and various civil & military personnel were present on the occasion.

The event, organised at the Bombay Engineers Group and Centre, was a magnificent tribute to the valor and rich legacy of the Indian Army. It featured an awe-inspiring amalgamated display of lights, sounds and live actions, celebrating the evolution of the Yodha, from its mythological roots to its present-day, modern avatar – the Indian Army. It was a visual and emotional journey that captivated all in attendance.

The entire event, a successional depiction, encompassed seven distinct sections, each showcasing different facets of the Indian Army’s remarkable journey:

• Yudh Kala (Martial Arts and Combat Skills): Highlighting the scientific principles of Dhanurveda, this segment focused on India’s rich tradition of martial arts. Featured were martial arts like Gatka, Khukri Hath, Tang-Ta, Kalaripayattu, and Mallakhamb, each a vital part of India’s military culture and traditions.
• Yudh Pradarshan (Battle Demonstrations): This thrilling demonstration depicted a tactical raid on a terrorist hideout, showcasing the Indian Army’s technological prowess and tactical expertise. The display included a simulated battle scenario using advanced military equipment, underscoring the Army’s operational readiness and its commitment to upholding its ethos of ‘Naam, Namak, and Nishan’ (Name, Honor, and Symbol).
• Pracheen Ranneeti (Ancient Warfare Strategies): This section brought forth the military culture of India through the historic periods from the Ramayana and Mahabharata. It showcased prominent strategic thinkers and legendary warriors whose unique & successful strategies have been imbibed into Indian Army and have been instrumental in shaping it.
• Yudh Parivartan (Evolution of Warfare): The evolution of warfare was explored from close-quarter combat during ancient times, through the introduction of cavalry and elephants, to the use of explosives and firearms and further fomenting into trench warfare, and mechanized warfare.
• Shaurya Gatha (Tales of Valour): The section honoured key battles like the Battle of Badgam (1947-48), Battle of Asal Uttar (1965), Battle of Longewala, and the Battle of Tololing, celebrating the bravery of leaders such as Major Somnath Sharma, CQMH Abdul Hamid, Major Kuldip Singh Chandpuri, amongst others.
• Samarth Bharat Saksham Sena: This section entailed a comprehensive clip of the Indian Army’s contribution in not only upholding India’s security and territorial integrity but also in nation building. A tableau depicting the tech prowess and the latest equipment of the Army was also displayed.

Mr. Rajnath Singh also interacted with soldiers of the Indian Army, Nepal Army, NCC Cadets, Women Agniveers of Indian Army and Youths of Mission Olympic Wing exchanging thoughts and acknowledging their dedication towards Nation. He also presented awards to several distinguished participants and teams:

• Best Marching Contingent of 77^th Army Day Parade: Awarded to the top contingent for their outstanding display of discipline and pride during the parade. The award was given to Bombay Engineers Group and Centre.
• Nepali Army Band: Recognised for their participation in the 77^th Army Day Parade for the first time ever, adding a new dimension to the celebrations and to the relations India shares with Nepal.
• NCC Girls Contingent: Awarded for being part of the Army Day Parade marching contingents for the first time, symbolising the progress of women empowerment in the Indian Armed Forces.
• Team of the Mission Olympics Tableau: Acknowledged for their excellent presentation that celebrated India’s Olympic achievements.
• Gaurav Kalash by Cyclothon Team: The team, which traversed 750 kms across Maharashtra, collected water from various Forts of Shivaji, symbolizing the strong connection between India’s military heritage and the present. The water in the Gaurav Kalash was handed over to the Defence Minister, who further passed it to the Director of the National Museum.

Additionally, a heartfelt Mouth Painting was presented to the Defence Minister by Airman Mridul Ghosh, a paraplegic resident from the Paraplegic Rehabilitation Centre, showcasing the resilience and creativity of individuals overcoming physical challenges.