Jaipur witnessed a historic spectacle on Thursday as an almost 3-kilometer stretch of Mahal Road in Jagatpura transformed into a grand avenue showcasing the might and weaponry of the Indian Army. For the first time ever, the Army Day Parade opened its gates to the public, drawing an overwhelming crowd of over one lakh enthusiastic citizens who gathered to witness the military display.
Chief of Army Staff Leads the Ceremonial Review
Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi served as the Reviewing Officer for the parade, taking the salute during the impressive proceedings. His arrival added a dramatic touch to the event. General Dwivedi flew in an Advanced Light Helicopter from the Sapta Shakti Command, escorted by two Apache helicopters in front and two Light Combat Helicopters behind. He landed at the grounds of the Rajasthan Cricket Academy before proceeding to the parade venue by car.
Gallantry Awards Presented with Emotional Moments
The ceremony included the poignant presentation of five Sena Medals for Gallantry to soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice. These awards were given posthumously to:
- Subedar Major Pawan Kumar of the 25 Punjab Regiment
- Havildar Sunil Kumar Singh from the 625 EME Battalion
- Lance Naik Dinesh Kumar from the 5 Field Regiment
- Lance Naik Subhash Kumar from the 7 Jat Regiment
- Lance Naik Pradeep Kumar from the 1 Para (Special Force)
An emotional moment unfolded when Ram Snehi, the grieving mother of Lance Naik Pradeep Kumar, received his award. Overcome with emotion, she fell unconscious during the ceremony and was immediately attended to by soldiers standing nearby.
Spectacular Parade Features and Military Displays
The parade itself featured more than thirty participating entities in a magnificent march-past. Seven distinguished marching contingents represented various regimental centers, including the Madras Regimental Centre, Rajput Regimental Centre, Regiment of Artillery, Mixed Scouts Contingent, and an NCC Girls Contingent.
For the first time, two special contingents joined the parade: the Bhairav Battalion Contingents from RAJRIF and SIKH LI. These units symbolize the Indian Army's strategic shift toward modern, agile, and lethal warfare capabilities specifically designed for rapid, high-impact operations along the nation's borders.
Weaponry and Equipment on Display
The public cheered enthusiastically as they viewed an impressive array of military hardware. The display included:
- T-90 tanks
- Arjun tanks
- Upgraded Schilka air defense systems
- K-9 Vajra self-propelled howitzers
- All-terrain vehicles of the Indian Army
- Helina indigenous air-launched anti-tank missiles
- Various Indian and foreign dog breeds used in military operations
Aerial Grandeur and International Participation
The grandeur of the parade was further enhanced by a spectacular fly-past featuring Army helicopters including Light Combat Helicopters (LCH), Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH), Weapon Systems Integrated (WSI) helicopters, and Apache aircraft. Adding an international dimension to the event, the Nepal Army Band participated as part of the military bands performing during the parade.
The historic opening of the Army Day Parade to the public in Jaipur created an unprecedented connection between citizens and their armed forces, allowing ordinary people to witness firsthand the discipline, dedication, and capabilities of India's military personnel.
