New Delhi, 15 January (H.S.): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh extended heartfelt Army Day greetings on Thursday to all Indian Army personnel and their families, lauding the force's indomitable courage, supreme sacrifices, and unyielding commitment to preserving the nation's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

In a poignant social media message on X, Singh affirmed that a grateful nation stands united in profound pride and reverence for its soldiers, who remain ever-vigilant along frontiers and steadfast amid crises.

Singh highlighted the Indian Army's stellar international reputation, forged through exemplary professionalism, iron discipline, and humanitarian endeavours that transcend battlefields. He reaffirmed the government's steadfast pledge to cultivate a modern, Aatmanirbhar (self-reliant), and future-prepared Army equipped to confront emerging threats with indigenous innovation and cutting-edge capabilities.

This vision encompasses accelerated indigenisation of defence production, bolstering border infrastructure, and enhancing operational readiness across diverse terrains from Himalayan heights to maritime domains.

Later Thursday, Singh will headline Army Day celebrations in Jaipur, where the annual parade at Mahal Road in Jagatpura will showcase the force's modernisation trajectory: cutting-edge weaponry, futuristic equipment, and synchronised displays by specialised units under aerial petal showers.

Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Mizoram Governor Vijay Kumar Singh, Rajasthan Governor Haribhau Bagde, Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, and senior military brass will join, culminating in an evening Shaurya Sandhya at Sawai Man Singh Stadium.

This observance commemorates Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa assuming command as India's first Commander-in-Chief on January 15, 1949.These tributes resonate alongside Prime Minister Modi's Sanskrit-infused Army homage, nationwide leadership salutations—from President Murmu to Rahul Gandhi—Om Birla's tech-democracy vision at CSPOC, Pongal harvest invocations, Himachal's tragic blaze, ED's Bengal DGP ouster bid, Bangladesh cricket mutiny, Jana Nayagan judicial deferral, and Startup India decennial, weaving Thursday's narrative of valour, vigilance, and visionary resolve.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar