Kolkata: Sending out a message of unity and coordination between the Indian Army, Indian Air Force and Indian Navy, senior officers from the three services for the first time jointly observed the 68th 'Army Day' at the Fort William, the headquarters of the Eastern Command on Friday morning.
To prevent any untoward incident further the Kolkata Police beefed up security along Red Road and around the Fort William on the occasion after drawing severe criticism for the security breach during the Republic Day parade rehearsal two days ago when young IAF Corporal Abhimanyu Gaud was run over by a speeding Audi Q7 SUV, belonging two sons: Ambia Sohrab and Sambia Sohrab of Trinamul Congress leader Mohammed Sohrab who are absconding.
General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (Eastern Command) Lieutenant General Praveen Bakshi, officiating Air Officer Commanding of Eastern Air Command's Advance Headquarters based in Fort William Air Commodore M Rawat and Naval Officer In Charge (West Bengal) Commodore Ravi Ahluwalia laid wreaths at the war memorial: Vijay Smarak to pay their tribute to the soldiers who sacrificed their lives in service to the nation.
Chief public relation officer (Eastern Command) Wing Commander S S Birdi said, "This is the first time in the Fort William that the officers of the three services have laid wreaths together on the Army Day."
According to Eastern Command sources, the Army commander's thrust is on jointmanship. "Since he is the senior most officer in this region, it was his desire to showcase the jointness," sources revealed.
The 'Army Day' is celebrated every year on January 15 in recognition of Lt Gen (later Field Marshal) K M Carriappa taking over as the first Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army on 15 January in 1949.
