Top 10 Awesome Facts about The Indian Army

Top 10 Awesome Facts about The Indian Army


The reason why you had a sound sleep last night is because someone was on constant and tireless vigil on our harsh frontiers. The reason why we dare to build the castle of our dreams, unhindered, is because, these fiercely dedicated professionals forsake their dreams for ours. Who are they, then? The harbingers of peace, harmony and security for 125 crore Indians? Yes, This is The Indian Army. whose motto is ‘Service Before Self’.

Now, let us have an insight into this force, which is the ultimate instrument of power for our nation- The Indian Army. Here is a list of ten awesome facts about the Indian Army.

#10- Size does Matter- The Sheer Strength of Numbers

Indian Army Marching

Talk of Numbers, and we Indians are always at the forefront! India, being the second most populous country has the second largest standing army with 1,129,900 active troops and 960,000 reserve troops. The army is composed of several divisions with variegated roles like the Infantry or the foot soldiers, Armoured Divisions with Tanks, Artillery with the missiles and field guns, Military Engineers, the Army Aviation and so on.

Be it the frigid mountainous terrain of Jammu and Kashmir or the marshy plains of Assam, be it the barren deserts of Rajasthan or the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the Army is omnipresent. Divided into seven operational commands, the army maintains a two pronged vigil against our volatile neighbours and guards against any infiltration.

 #9- Daunting Heights- Highest Battlefield in the World

Indian Army- Siachen

The Indian Army, true to its traditions of fighting the odds, operates in the highest battlefield of the world- Siachen Glacier. Temperatures may drop to as low as -60 degrees and icy blizzards are the order of the day. But, the Indian Army has been dominating the towering heights of Siachen since 1984 and has not allowed the enemy to venture anywhere near. Maintaining such a huge military presence is a herculean task.

The Army Aviators rise up to this challenge and operate in dangerous flying conditions in their Cheetah helicopters to support the troops by providing rations and other material. They also do casualty evacuation, which is abnormally high due to the inhospitable conditions. No other Army in the world operates in such hostile conditions. The Indian Army does. That, in itself, is an amazing feat!

#8- Indian Army- Peace keeper in Distant Shores

THE SAVIOURS

Our army, in addition to its responsibilities in our homeland, is also vested with diverse responsibilities, abroad. The Indian Government sends Indian Army contingents abroad to African countries like Somalia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan, Central African Republic as per the request of the United Nations. The Indian soldiers are sent as part of global peacekeeping forces in these disturbed countries.

They have rendered yeoman service since decades, with several Indian soldiers being martyred on peacekeeping duty, abroad. The United Nations, recently adjudged the Indian Army Peacekeeping contingent as the best of all. Remarkable, isn’t it?

#7- Fearless Men- Fearsome Equipment

BRAHMOS MISSILE SYSTEM

Modern warfare necessitates the use of state-of-the-art equipment which reduces the emphasis on physical prowess and relies more on technology. The Indian Army has some of the most potent weapon systems in its arsenal, which are mostly of Soviet origin or indigenously built. Be it the ultra modern Bofors Guns or the Main Battle Tanks like T-90 or Arjun, few contemporaries can match their capabilities. In fact, our missile systems are one of the best in the world. The BRAHMOS missile is the fastest cruise missile in the world at present which can sustain speeds upto 3 times the speed of sound! The nuclear tipped Agni-V can even cover all parts of Europe and most parts of China!

 #6- Jai Maa Kali, Ayo Gorkhali!

16army02

The Gorkha regiment is a proud part of the Indian Army which it has ceaselessly served since the days of the British East Indian Company. This regiment merits a special mention because of the distinctive and superhuman warfighting capabilities of the Gorkha soldiers. Armed with the fearsome ‘Khukri’ or traditional dagger and with the war cry “Jai Maa Kali, Ayo Gorkhali!”, a Gorkha soldier is a ferocious slayer of the enemy. Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw had once said, “If a man says that he’s not afraid of dying, he’s either lying or he’s a Gorkha.”

#5- Para Commandos

Indian Para Commandos

The Indian Para Commandos are one of the few ‘special’ or ‘crack’ forces in the world. Highly trained, motivated and equipped with the latest arms and ammunition, the para commandos are trained to achieve special objectives like hostage rescue, counter terrorism, etc. They are at par with their counterparts from countries like the United States, Britain, Germany, etc. The Para Commandos or the ‘Maroon Berets’ have won several gallantry awards for their exemplary courage. No wonder, they are the best unit of the Indian Army!

#4- The Biggest Military Victories!

PAKISTAN ARMY SURRENDERING- 16th DECEMBER, 1971

The Indian Army has fought wars with Pakistan in 1947, 1965, 1971 and a smaller scale conflict at Kargil in 1999. It has also had a skirmish with China on our eastern frontiers. In all the conflicts with Pakistan, the Indian Army emerged comprehensively victorious while the 1962 China war was lost due to faulty political decisions. The 1971 Bangladesh liberation war is particularly significant for India’s lightning assault and subsequent victory. A mind boggling 93000 Pakistani soldiers surrendered and a new nation- Bangladesh was born.

#3- Humanitarian Assistance

Indian Army Rescue

In addition to its combat duties, the Indian Army has been the ultimate aid to the civic authorities in case of any calamity. Whenever disaster strikes, the army units are the first to respond and they render invaluable assistance in relief and rescue operations. Be it the Uttarakhand Flood rescue, which was the largest joint rescue operation in history or during the Bhuj earthquake, the Indian Army was always up to the task. The nation stands indebted to them for the huge responsibility they shoulder during these times.

#2- Respect for Democracy

Three-Chiefs_Salute

For an army of its size and clout, the Indian Army has shown remarkable restraint, discipline and belief in democratic values. While large armies across the world sometimes meddle in governance or turn into military dictatorships, the Indian Army has been scrupulously apolitical. It has complied with the commands of the political executive in the best interests of the nation at all times, without fail. This is one of the reasons why the Indian Army has been respected the World over for thorough professionalism and a sense of service to the nation.

#1- Exemplary Valour

AMAR JAWAN

No account of the Indian Army is complete without a narrative about the bravery and courage exhibited by our daring soldiers in the face of adversities. During war or peacetime, Indian Army’s brave hearts have bagged the nation’s highest gallantry awards like the Paramveer Chakra, Mahaveer Chakra, Ashoka Chakra, Kirti Chakra, etc with regularity, even at the cost of martyrdom. Often, the Indian soldier has compensated the lack of sufficiently modern equipment with his own valour and set an example for armies the world over, to follow. Indeed, it is the individual gallantry and selfless service to the country that has made the Indian Army what it is today- ferocious and mighty!

  • saroja vasanth

    Felt good to know about our soldiers. A salute to all the soldiers of the nation for keeping us safe.

    • Arghya Patnaik

      Thanks :)