New Delhi, October 21, 2023: India’s Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh, inaugurated the first edition of the Indian Military Heritage Festival in the nation’s capital. The two-day event, which commenced on October 21, 2023, is dedicated to celebrating India’s rich military culture and heritage, which has evolved over centuries. The festival aims to achieve this through a diverse range of activities, including conversations, art exhibitions, dance performances, dramatic presentations, storytelling, and exhibitions.
This cultural festival is designed to offer different perspectives and understandings of India’s military history through panel discussions featuring renowned scholars, practitioners, and both serving and retired military officers.
One notable highlight of the event was the launch of ‘Project Udbhav.’ This collaborative initiative between the Indian Army and the United Service Institution of India seeks to promote indigenous discourse by exploring and integrating the country’s ancient strategic wisdom into contemporary military thinking.
Prominent military figures attended the festival, including Chief of the Army Staff General Manoj Pande, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari, Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee (CISC) Lt Gen JP Mathew, and Vice Chief of the Naval Staff Vice Admiral Sanjay Jasjit Singh.
Addressing reporters during the festival’s inauguration, Rajnath Singh emphasized that the Indian Military Heritage Festival not only showcases the unparalleled bravery and the invaluable role of the Armed Forces in safeguarding the nation but also serves as an inspiration for the youth. He highlighted the festival’s role in igniting the curiosity of the younger generation to learn more about India’s military history and the gallant deeds of its soldiers.
The Military Heritage Festival aims to address the limited awareness of India’s extensive military history and strategic culture, despite a long and illustrious legacy. It seeks to set a new standard for public engagement with military history and heritage, while aligning with the goals of developing the Armed Forces for the 21st century.
The festival’s objectives include reinvigorating the study of Indian military culture, traditions, and history, and contributing to the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ (Self-Reliant India) and ‘Make in India’ initiatives. It also provides a platform for discussions on contemporary issues related to India, global security, strategy, and international relations.
The festival’s agenda encompasses various activities such as military band performances, including presentations by the Army Symphony Band and Brass band displays, as well as a Cultural Gala Evening. Additionally, an exhibition showcasing select milestones and achievements in India’s extensive military history is being organized in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Heritage, Ministry of Culture.
