Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan inaugurated the second edition of the annual Indian Military Heritage Festival (IMHF) today in New Delhi. The two-day festival, which will run through November 9, aims to bring together global and Indian think tanks, corporations, public and private sector undertakings, non-profit organizations, academicians, and research scholars to discuss issues related to India’s national security, foreign policy, military history, and military heritage.
Speaking at the event, General Chauhan also launched Project Shaurya Gatha, an initiative by the Department of Military Affairs and the United Service Institution (USI) of India. This project is designed to conserve and promote India’s military heritage through education and tourism. It is part of a broader effort to make India’s military history more accessible to the public and to highlight its strategic importance.
The CDS also unveiled several key publications that delve into military topics, including Because of This: A History of the Indo-Pak Air War December 1971 by Air Marshal Vikram Singh (Retd), Valour and Honour – a joint publication by the Indian Army and the USI of India, and War-wounded, Disabled Soldiers, and Cadets – a collaborative work between the USI and the War Wounded Federation. These publications shed light on various aspects of India’s military history and the experiences of its soldiers.
In addition, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) organized a photo exhibition showcasing its innovations in defence research, particularly those contributing to the vision of an Aatmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India). The exhibition highlighted the organization’s role in advancing India’s defence capabilities. NCC cadets from across the Delhi NCR region participated in the event, which also featured informative stalls from the three-armed services, offering insights into their roles and the opportunities available for young people looking to join the military.
Despite India’s rich military history and its strategic culture, there remains a gap in public awareness about the nation’s military heritage and security concerns. The Indian Military Heritage Festival seeks to bridge this gap, promoting greater understanding of India’s military traditions, its contemporary security issues, and the nation’s efforts to achieve self-reliance in defence capabilities through initiatives like Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
The festival has become an important platform for engaging with both the public and experts in the field, with the aim of integrating India’s military history more deeply into the national discourse and cultural calendar.
