Introducing Citizens to Glorious Legacy of Indian Army and Inspiring Youth to Join the Forces is Essential: Chief Minister Dr. Yadav

Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav has stated that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Indian Army has demonstrated indomitable courage, valour and capability on every occasion and at every front. He said that for every citizen and family of the country, it is a matter of pride to be connected with the traditions of bravery and sacrifice of the Indian Army.

With the objective of acquainting the people of the state with the rich military heritage of the Indian Army and inspiring the youth of Madhya Pradesh to join the armed forces, a special Army Day Parade will be organised in Bhopal on 15 January 2027. Chief Minister Dr. Yadav stated that the experience of participating in the Army Day programmes in Bhopal would be similar to the events held on Republic Day (January 26 ) at Rajpath in New Delhi. He assured that the State Government will extend every possible support to the Indian Army for organising the event in the state capital.

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav was addressing a meeting held at Samatva Bhavan (Chief Minister’s Residence) in the presence of Chief Secretary Shri Anurag Jain and Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi. The meeting was attended by Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister, Shri Neeraj Mandloi, Director General of Police Shri Kailash Makwana and senior officers of the Indian Army.

During the meeting of military officers chaired by Chief Minister Dr. Yadav, Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi informed that a grand Army Day Parade will be organised in Bhopal on 15 January 2027. Along with the parade, Shaurya Sandhya, a military exhibition showcasing the Army’s weapons, equipment and resources and demonstrations of military exercises will also be organised. Retired soldiers will also be honoured during the event. All activities will be conducted with the same grandeur and dignity as the event held in New Delhi on Republic Day. Union Defence Minister Shri Rajnath Singh will also attend the event.

The event is being organised with the objective of showcasing the Indian Army’s rich tradition of bravery and military heritage, connecting citizens with the military parade, strengthening coordination and mutual trust between the Army and civil administration, and motivating youth to join the Indian Army.

It was informed in the meeting that preparations for the event scheduled for Army Day on 15 January 2027 will begin from 1 November, Madhya Pradesh Foundation Day. On the occasion of Foundation Day, under the ‘Meri Maati’ campaign, soil will be collected from different districts of the state and brought to Shaurya Smarak in Bhopal, where a ‘Sankalp Vriksh’ will be planted.

Rehearsals for the Army Day parade will be held on January 9, 11 and 13, while rehearsals for Shaurya Sandhya will take place on January 11 and 13. The military exhibition will be organised from January 7 to 12. Military exercise demonstrations will be conducted at Bhopal’s Upper Lake on January 11 and 12.

For the Army parade, routes including Atal Path, Aerocity Road, BHEL Kalibari Road and BHEL Link Road have been proposed as the parade route. Shaurya Sandhya will be organised at T.T. Nagar Stadium, while the military exhibition will be set up at Jamboree Ground. Activities such as water sports, air shows and military demonstrations will also take place at the Upper Lake.

As a preliminary event, on Madhya Pradesh Foundation Day (November 1, 2026), under the ‘Meri Maati’ campaign, activities such as hot air ballooning, a motorcycle rally, a run and other events will be organised.

Army Day is celebrated every year on 15 January to commemorate the historic occasion in 1949 when General K. M. Cariappa took over the command of the Indian Army from the last British Commander-in-Chief, General Sir F. R. R. Bucher. In line with Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Ek Bharat–Shreshtha Bharat’, the initiative to decentralise national events to encourage nationwide participation in the Indian Army began in 2023. Such events also provide an opportunity to honour and remember the brave soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the nation at the local level.

The first such Army Day parade was organised in Bengaluru in 2023, followed by Lucknow in 2024, Pune in 2025, and Jaipur in 2026. These events have also helped inspire young people to serve in the Indian Army.

The meeting was attended by Lieutenant General Sandeep Jain, Lieutenant General Arvind Chauhan, Lieutenant General Ranjeet Singh, Major General Vikas Lal, Brigadier Nitin Bhatia, Colonel Saurabh Kumar, Sunny Juneja, Rajesh Bandle and other officials.