Bhopal, March 23 (NationPress) Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Mohan Yadav, hosted a group of military officials led by Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi at his residence on Monday.

During their discussion, General Dwivedi announced that a spectacular Army Day Parade is set to take place in Bhopal on January 15, 2027. The delegation requested support from the state government for this important event.

In addition to the parade, ‘Shaurya Sandhya’, a military exhibition featuring the Army's arsenal, equipment, and demonstrations of military tactics, will also be part of the festivities. The event will honor retired soldiers.

All planned activities will reflect the same level of grandeur and respect as the Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi. Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is expected to be present, as per a press release from the state government.

The Chief Minister pledged that the state administration would provide comprehensive support to the Indian Army to ensure the success of the event in the state capital.

This initiative aims to highlight the Indian Army's rich legacy of valor and military tradition, foster a connection between the citizens and the parade, enhance cooperation and trust between the Army and local authorities, and inspire youth to consider a career in the Indian Army.

It was revealed during the meeting that preparations for the Army Day event will commence on November 1, coinciding with Madhya Pradesh Foundation Day.

On Foundation Day, as part of the ‘Meri Maati’ campaign, soil will be collected from various districts and transported to Shaurya Smarak in Bhopal, where a ‘Sankalp Vriksh’ will be planted.

Rehearsals for the Army Day Parade are scheduled for January 9, 11, and 13, while rehearsals for Shaurya Sandhya will occur on January 11 and 13. The military exhibition is set to run from January 7 to 12, with military exercise demonstrations taking place at Bhopal’s Upper Lake on January 11 and 12.

The proposed routes for the parade include Atal Path, Aerocity Road, BHEL Kalibari Road, and BHEL Link Road. Shaurya Sandhya will be hosted at T.T. Nagar Stadium, while the military exhibition will be located at Jamboree Ground. Additionally, activities such as water sports, air shows, and military demonstrations will be featured at the Upper Lake.

Every year, Army Day is observed on January 15 to mark the significant moment in 1949 when General K. M. Cariappa assumed command of the Indian Army from the final British Commander-in-Chief, General Sir F. R. R. Bucher.

In alignment with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Ek Bharat–Shreshtha Bharat’, the initiative to decentralize national events to promote widespread participation in the Indian Army was launched in 2023.

The inaugural Army Day Parade took place in Bengaluru in 2023, followed by events in Lucknow (2024), Pune (2025), and Jaipur (2026). These initiatives have also served to motivate the youth to join the Indian Army.

Other military officials attending 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 dignitaries.

Among those present from the state government were Madhya Pradesh Chief Secretary Anurag Jain, Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Neeraj Mandloi, and Director General of Police (DGP) Kailash Makwana.