Indian Army day, 2022

In news– 74th Indian Army Day was celebrated on January 15, 2022.

About Indian Army Day-

The Army Day is celebrated every year in recognition of Field Marshal K.M Cariappa as the first commander-in-chief of the Indian army.
The British Indian Army was founded on April 1, 1895, within the British administration.
After India became independent in 1947, it was not until January 15, 1949, that the nation received its first-ever Indian chief.
Lt Gen KM Cariappa succeeded General Francis Butcher, the final British commander-in-chief of the Indian Army, as commander-in-chief of the Indian Armed forces in 1949.
This day was recognised as Indian Army Day to start paying respect to the martyred Indian army personnel at the “Amar Jawan Jyoti” at News Delhi’s India Gate.
Bravery awards including unit credentials and Sena medals will also be awarded in 2022, to mark the day.
During the celebration, the new uniform of the Indian Army designed in collaboration with the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) was showcased at the parade ground.

About Field Marshal Kodandera Madappa Cariappa-

He was the first Indian Commander-in-Chief (C-in-C) of the Indian Army.
He was born on 28 January 1899 in Madikeri, Karnataka.
He led Indian forces on the Western Front during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947.
He is one of only two Indian Army officers to hold the Five-star rank of Field Marshal; the other being Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw.
He had joined the British Indian Army shortly after the end of World War I, and was commissioned as a temporary first lieutenant into the 2/88 Carnatic Infantry.
He was transferred between multiple regiments early in his career before settling on 1/7 Rajputs, which became his permanent regiment.
He was the first Indian military officer to attend the Staff College, Quetta, the first Indian to command a battalion, and was also one of the first two Indians selected to undergo training at the Imperial Defence College in Camberley.
After four years of service as the C-in-C, Cariappa retired on 14 January 1953.
He died in 1993, at the Bangalore Command Hospital.