Chief of Defence Staff, Army chief pay homage to infantrymen on 78th Shaurya Diwas

Gen. Chauhan and Gen. Dwivedi laid wreaths and paid tributes; solemn ceremony held at the National War Memorial

Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan and Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi on Sunday (October 22, 2024) paid homage to infantrymen who had died on duty at a solemn ceremony held at the National War Memorial here to mark the 78th Shaurya Diwas.

October 27 has a unique significance for the Infantry. On this day, in 1947, infantrymen became the first from the Indian Army to land in Srinagar and help evict invaders from the outskirts of the city, thus saving Jammu and Kashmir from Pakistani invasion, the Army said.

At the Shaurya Diwas event, Gen. Chauhan and Gen. Dwivedi laid wreaths and paid tributes.

Infantry is the largest fighting arm of the Indian Army.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted on social media platform X on the occasion. "On Infantry Day, we all salute the indomitable spirit and courage of all Ranks and Veterans of the Infantry, who tirelessly protect us. They always stand resolute in the face of any adversity, ensuring the safety and security of our nation. The infantry embodies the essence of strength, valour and duty, inspiring every Indian," he wrote.

Three decorated veterans — Brigadier Vijay Kumar Berry (Retd.), MVC, who had participated in 'Operation Cactus Lily' (1971), Subedar Major (Hony Capt) Shatrughan Singh, VrC (retd), and Hav Jai Ram Singh, VrC (retd) who had participated in 'Operation Vijay' (1999) also laid wreaths on behalf of Infantry veterans at the war memorial.

The ceremony which was attended by Colonels of all the regiments of the Infantry, was conducted with military precision and solemnity.

In his message to all infantrymen on the occasion, the Director General of the Infantry exhorted them to rededicate themselves to the core values of bravery, sacrifice, selfless devotion to duty, and professional excellence, and to remain indomitable in their resolve to defend the integrity and sovereignty of the country, an Army official said.

In a video post on X, the Army said: "#GeneralUpendraDwivedi, #COAS and All Ranks of #IndianArmy convey best wishes to All Ranks, #Veterans and Families of the #Infantry on the occasion of 78th #ShauryaDiwas."

Published - October 27, 2024 10:22 pm IST