Army Day 2023: Parade moves out of Delhi for first time since 1949; PM Modi says every Indian is proud

A look at key moments of the Army Day 2023 held in Bengaluru, Karnataka. It was for the first time since 1949 that the annual Army Day parade was held out of Delhi. 

A look at the Daksha drone of the Indian Army. Daksha is developed by the MIT aerospace department and initiated by aerospace research students.

"Ceasefire continues at the Line of Control (LOC) in the western border areas and ceasefire violations have been brought down. But across the border, terror infrastructure still remains. Our counter-infiltration grid is continuously foiling the infiltration from there," Army Chief General Manoj Pande said.

"Attempts to smuggle weapons and drugs through drones in the international boundary sector in Jammu and Punjab continue. Counter-drone jammers and other equipment have been brought into use against such activities," he added.

"For the first time, the Army Day parade and other events related to it are being held outside the national capital Delhi. This has given a golden opportunity to the Army to connect with the people. I'm confident this will make our relations even stronger," Army Chief General Manoj Pande said.

"Last year, Army firmly faced security-related challenges and ensured the security of borders actively & strongly. Army took steps to improve capability development, force restructuring and training. It also further strengthened its preparations for future wars," he said.

"In the northern border areas, the situation has been normal and through established protocols and existing mechanisms, necessary steps have been taken to maintain peace. Maintaining a strong defence posture at LAC, we are ready to tackle any contingency," the Army Chief said.

"Despite difficult areas and rough weather, our brave jawans are deployed there. All kinds of arms, equipment & facilities are being given to them in adequate quantity. With combined efforts of local administration, other agencies & military, there've been improvements in infrastructure development," General Manoj Pande said.

Indian Army Chief General Manoj Pande attends the Army Day 2023 event in Bengaluru at Govindaswamy parade ground.

Every soldier of the Indian Army is full of bravery, patriotism and sacrifice. Happy Army Day to all jawans, ex-servicemen and their families for their sacrifice, penance and dedication.

On the occasion of Army Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded the Indian Army, saying the soldiers have always kept our nation safe and are widely admired for their service during times of crisis.

"On Army Day, I convey my best wishes to all army personnel, veterans and their families. Every Indian is proud of our Army and will always be grateful to our soldiers," Prime Minister Modi said in a tweet.

"They have always kept our nation safe and are widely admired for their service during times of crisis," he said.

For the first time since 1949, the Army Day is taking place out of Delhi in Karnataka's Bengaluru.

Bengaluru is hosting the Army Day parade keeping in tune with the decision of holding such events of national importance outside the national capital in order to give wider visibility and ensure participation of citizens.

The parade signifies the formal taking over of the Indian Army by its first Indian Commander-in-Chief Field Marshal K M Cariappa on January 15, 1949, replacing his British predecessor.