On January 15, 2025, Pune will witness a spectacular display of technological innovation as the Army hosts ‘Gaurav Gatha,’ an event that illustrates the evolution of warfare from ancient times to the present day, inspired by themes from Indian epics and recent conflicts.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is set to attend this significant event, taking place at the Bhagat Pavilion within the Bombay Engineers Group (BEG) and Centre, as part of the celebrations for the 77th Army Day.
In an engaging prelude to the main event, the Defence Minister will meet with ‘Veer Nari’ and veterans over tea earlier in the afternoon, as reported by official sources.
Additionally, Singh will unveil a new app and virtually inaugurate an Army Paralympic Node before the evening’s showcase of ‘Gaurav Gatha.’ He will also receive a ‘Kalash’ filled with sacred waters collected from various forts across Maharashtra associated with Maratha legend Chhatrapati Shivaji, which he will later present to a representative of a local museum.
These sacred waters were gathered by army personnel during a cyclothon leading to their arrival in Pune earlier this week.
Leading up to the ‘Gaurav Gatha,’ a grand parade will be conducted at the BEG and Centre, part of the Army’s Southern Command. This year’s Army Day Parade promises to be especially noteworthy, featuring a Nepal Army band, an all-girl marching contingent from the National Cadet Corps (NCC), and innovative ‘robotic mules.’
The parade will serve as a platform to exhibit military prowess while ‘Gaurav Gatha’ offers an artistic representation of warfare’s historical journey. Narratives drawn from epic tales paired with contemporary warfare will be the central theme of this captivating performance.
In preparation for the showcase, impressive posters outlining the themes of ‘Gaurav Gatha’ have been displayed at the Bhagat Pavilion. Key themes include ‘Prachin Ranniti’ based on the Ramayana and Mahabharata, ‘Yudh Kala’, ‘Yudh Parivartan’, and ‘Shaurya Gatha’, among others, culminating in the overarching theme of the 77th Army Day Parade: ‘Samarth Bharat, Saksham Sena.’
The narrated segments will celebrate historical figures like Lord Ram, Chhatrapati Shivaji, and renowned freedom fighters such as Mangal Pandey and Bhagat Singh.
This 35-minute show will employ laser, sound, and light technologies alongside dynamic staging to deliver a powerful narrative, aimed at evoking pride and patriotism among all attendees.
Published – January 15, 2025 04:15 am IST
