The Central Command celebrated Army Day here on Monday with Chief of Staff Lt General J.K. Sharma and other officers and soldiers laying wreaths at 'Smritika', the Central Command's War Memorial in Lucknow Cantonment.
After wreaths were laid in memory of brave soldiers who sacrificed their lives to defend the motherland, the Last Post was sounded and two minutes' silence observed to pray for the departed souls.
The Army Commander awarded 161 Commendation Cards to serving and civilian defence employees on the occasion.
In addition, 10 Unit Citations and awards for Best Service Providers were also given to various units, educational and training institutions, an Army spokesperson said.
As part of the Army Day celebrations, the Central Command is conducting events in 26 cities across six states from January 11, based on the theme 'Know Your Forces'.
Activities were organised as a precursor to the Army Day event, including display of military equipment, mini-marathons, and band concerts to reach out to and energise civil society, strengthen the sense of patriotism and motivate the youth, officials said.
A seven-km mini-marathon was organised by Headquarters Madhya Uttar Pradesh Sub Area on behalf of the Central Command Headquarters at Lucknow as part of the celebrations.
Army Day is celebrated on January 15 to commemorate Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa's taking over as the first Indian Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army from Sir Francis Butcher, the last British Commander, in 1949.
--IANS
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