Matter of Pride that Army Day Parade is being conducted in Lucknow, outside Delhi: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh

It is a matter of pride that the 76th Army Day Parade is being held in Lucknow, this year, the Defence Minister Rajanth Singh said on January 14, 2024 as he lauded the Indian Army for organizing a mesmerizing symphony band concert on the eve of Army Day 2024. This is only the second time that the Army Day Parade is taking place outside Delhi. The first instance was in Bengaluru.

Swagat Samaroh

Rajnath Singh also attended the Swagat Samaroh held at the GOC in-C (general officer Commanding in-Chief) residence here. The Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Yogi Adityanath was also present at the Swagat Smaroh were dignitaries saw a display of martial arts and combat skills along with fly past displays of military aircraft.

Besides the Samaroh presented an opportunity to the awardees of the Investiture Ceremony, Central Command Veterans Day and those Veer Naris who would be felicitated at the parade to meet the defence minister, chief minister and governor Anandiben Patel as well as CDS General Anil Chauhan and COAS General Manoj Pande.

Symphony Performance

In the evening, 7500 people gathered at the Ambedkar Park to watch the Army Band Symphony Performance as an over orchestra took over the stage for the event. Despite, the biting cold, the residents of Lucknow scrambled to get a good view of the majestic symphony band on the stage. they played patriotic songs, some written by the officers in the orchestra themselves and some from films and great Indian songwriters.

Wreath Laying Ceremony

There was also a Bollywood song Medley. The Army Band Symphony showcase was the last large scale day event before the 76th Indian Army Day Parade.  Earlier in the day, the 8th Armed Forces Veterans Day was commemorated at the Surya Officers Institute after a solemn wreath laying ceremony at the Smritika War Memorial where the GOC-in-C Lieutenant General NS Raja Subramani and other senior officers payed homage to the Bravehearts who laid down their lives for the nation.

At the commemoration at the Institute, deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak applauded the courage and valor of the Indian Army adding that the Indian armed forces have always given a befitting reply to any threat to our nation’s sovereignty