What Were the Key Discussions at the Military Heritage Festival?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- International Forum: The festival serves as an international platform for military discussions.
- Historical Preservation: Emphasis on preserving military history for future learning.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Involvement of diverse stakeholders enhances dialogue.
- Project Shaurya Gatha: Initiative to promote military heritage through education and tourism.
- Notable Publications: Various military-themed books and exhibitions presented.
New Delhi, Nov 15 (NationPress) The spotlight was on India's military history and heritage, in addition to vital topics surrounding national security and geopolitics, during the concluding day of the annual Indian Military Heritage Festival (IMHF), according to an official statement.
Organized by the United Service Institution of India, this two-day event acted as a significant venue for dialogue and collaboration among diverse stakeholders, including the three armed services, diplomats, administrators, academia, think tanks, and both public and private sectors.
The festival commemorated India's rich military legacy while facilitating valuable discussions on national security, as highlighted by a Ministry of Defence official.
It sought to establish an international platform for dialogue and enhance military cooperation and diplomacy with allied nations and organizations.
During the inauguration of the third edition of the IMHF, Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth emphasized the importance of preserving historical narratives in literature and learning from them to fortify military capabilities.
In his inaugural address, MoS Seth remarked, "This festival connects us to our illustrious military traditions and heroic stories, motivating us for the future." He urged the youth to embrace military history, saying it is not just a matter of pride but also a foundation for fostering self-reliance and national security.
The IMHF served as a platform for diverse stakeholders to engage in discussions about India's military history and heritage, along with pertinent issues of national security and geopolitics.
The 2025 edition showcased attractions like an exhibition of military artwork by Lieutenant Colonel Arul Raj (Retd) and the launch of publications such as "The Sukraniti: Statecraft and Warcraft" by Colonel P.K. Gautam (Retd) and "Honours & Awards of the Indian Armed Forces" by A.K. Mishra.
The event also featured panel discussions with renowned authors on various subjects related to India's military history. Topics included Operation Sindoor, The War India Forgot, Contested Partitions, and others.
The last IMHF edition launched Project 'Shaurya Gatha', an initiative by the Department of Military Affairs and the United Service Institution (USI) of India aimed at preserving and promoting India's military heritage through education and tourism.
During this two-day event, significant publications on military themes were unveiled, including "Because of This: A History of the Indo-Pak Air War December 1971" by Air Marshal Vikram Singh (Retd), and others.
In 2024, the Defence Research and Development Organisation exhibited a collection of photographs illustrating its contributions to 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' through advancements in defence research.