Bhopal, March 23 Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav welcomed a delegation of military officers led by Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi at his residence on Monday.
During the meeting, General Dwivedi shared that a grand Army Day parade will be organized in Bhopal on January 15, 2027. The delegation sought the state government's cooperation for the program.
In addition to the parade, 'Shaurya Sandhya', a military exhibition showcasing the Army's weapons, equipment, and resources, as well as demonstrations of military exercises, will also be organized. Retired soldiers will be honored during the event.
All activities will be conducted with the same grandeur and dignity as the Republic Day event held in New Delhi. Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will also attend, according to a press note from the state government.
The Chief Minister assured that the state government will provide every possible support to the Indian Army for organizing the event in the state capital.
The event aims to showcase the Indian Army's rich tradition of bravery and military heritage, connect citizens with the parade, strengthen coordination and mutual trust between the Army and civil administration, and motivate youth to join the Indian Army.
It was informed in the meeting that preparations for the Army Day event scheduled for January 15, 2027, will begin from November 1, Madhya Pradesh Foundation Day.
On Foundation Day, under the 'Meri Maati' campaign, soil will be collected from different districts of the state and brought to the 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 organized from January 7 to 12. Military exercise demonstrations will be conducted at Bhopal's Upper Lake on January 11 and 12.
Proposed routes for the parade include Atal Path, Aerocity Road, BHEL Kalibari Road, and BHEL Link Road. Shaurya Sandhya will be organized at the 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.
Army Day is celebrated every year on January 15 to commemorate the historic occasion in 1949 when General K. M. Cariappa took over command of the Indian Army from the last British Commander-in-Chief, General Sir F. R. R. Bucher.
In line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of 'Ek Bharat–Shreshtha Bharat', the initiative to decentralize national events to encourage nationwide participation in the Indian Army began in 2023.
The first such Army Day parade was organized 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.
Other military officers present at the meeting included 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.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Secretary Anurag Jain, Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Neeraj Mandloi, and Director General of Police (DGP) Kailash Makwana also joined the meeting at the Chief Minister’s residence.
