15th January of each year is celebrated as Army Day in India in recognition of Lt Gen (later Field Marshal) K. M. Cariappa’s taking over as the first Army Chief of independent India. He took over from General Sir Francis Butcher, on the same day back in 1949. This is the day when medals are presented to brave soldiers in person or posthumously. The PM too tweeted, "Our Army always puts the nation first. I salute all those great individuals who sacrificed their lives while serving the nation. India will never forget our valiant heroes." Here are some facts about the Indian Army, as our way of celebrating this day. Here are some facts about the Indian Army, as our way of celebrating this day.
1. One of the top in the world
After the United States and China, the Indian army is the biggest in the world. Its 1,129,900 active personnel and 960,000 reserve personnel make it the second largest standing army in the world. The Indian army is the best in jungle warfare and certain anti-insurgency operations; foreign military personnel frequently visit Indian training academies for training.
2. Highest in the world
The Indian Army controls the world’s highest battlefield, Siachen Glacier
And has also built the world’s highest bridge – Bailey Bridge in the Ladakh Valley is the highest bridge in the world.
3. Only two Field Marshals
The Indian Army has had only two Field Marshals (5-star generals) in its history: Field Marshal Cariappa and Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw.
4. Biggest contributor to UN peacekeeping
The India Army is the biggest contributor to the various peacekeeping forces of the United Nations with 7,860 personnel deployed with ten UN Peacekeeping Missions.
5. Largest number of POW since the World Wars
The emphatic victory over Pakistan in the 1971 war resulted in the Indian Army capturing the highest number of prisoners of war since the World War; about 90,000. This was one of the precipitating factors that resulted in the international recognition of Bangladesh’s sovereignty.
Not only does the army protect us all from external threat, it also quietly goes about protecting us from internal threats so we can sleep peacefully at night. This is of course in addition to the fact that the Army and the other arms of the military; the Air Force and the Navy are the first to be called upon every time there is any disaster or emergency in the country: insurgency, terror attack, flood, earthquake, and tsunami you name it.
Jai Hind and a collective national Salute to all Faujis today!
