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New Delhi, Nov 14 (IANS) Minister of State (MoS) for Defense Sanjay Seth on Friday inaugurated the third edition of the annual Indian Military Heritage Festival (IMHF), stressing the need to preserve history in books and learn from it to further strengthen military power.
Addressing the inaugural session of the Mahotsav, MoS Seth said, “This Mahotsav gives us an opportunity to connect with our glorious military traditions and heroic stories and inspires us for the future.”
He conveyed the message to the youth that knowing our military history is not only a matter of pride but also an opportunity to build a strong foundation for self-reliance and national security.
Organized by the United Service Institution of India, the two-day event on November 14 and 15 focuses on promoting discussion on India’s military history and heritage as well as issues related to national security and geopolitics.
The IMHF aims to serve as a platform for multi-stakeholder dialogue and engagement between the three services, administrators and diplomats, academics and think-tanks, private and public industry and the public at large, an official said in a statement.
IMHF 2025 includes attractions like exhibition of iconic military paintings of Lt Col Arul Raj (Retd) and release of publications: “The Sukraneeti: Statecraft and Warfare” by Col PK Gautam (Retd) and “Honors and Awards of the Indian Armed Forces” by AK Mishra. The event also included a panel discussion by renowned authors of books on or related to India’s military history and heritage. These include sessions titled Operation Sindoor, The War India Forgot, Contested Partition, Pull-off over Tibet, BSF and Bangladesh, Emergence, Taming the Waves, Military Biographies and Technology and Strategy. The project ‘Shaurya Gatha’ was launched in the last edition of the festival. “The project is an initiative of India’s Department of Military Affairs and United Services Institute (USI) which aims to preserve and promote India’s military heritage through education and tourism,” the statement said.
During the two-day event, major publications on military subjects were the highlights, including the book launch: Causes of It: A History of the Indo-Pak Air War of December 1971 by Air Marshal Vikram Singh (Retd); Valor and Honor – a joint publication of the Indian Army and USI of India, and Silent Weapons, Deadly Secrets: Unraveling the Bioweapons Arms Race by Mrinmoyee Bhushan, edited by Lieutenant General Vinod Khandare (Retd.), Principal Advisor to the Ministry of Defence.
In 2024, the Defense Research and Development Organization presented a photo exhibition highlighting its journey and achievements in contributing to ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ through innovations in defense research.
“The participation of NCC cadets and students from schools and colleges in the Delhi-NCR region inspired the younger generation to consider a career in the armed forces. Informational stalls from the three services will showcase their roles and the various opportunities available to the aspiring youth,” a statement said.
The inaugural IMHF was held on October 21-22, 2023 at the Manekshaw Center here.
“The event showcased the military culture of India through performances by military bands of the three services and various exhibitions highlighting diverse aspects and initiatives of the Indian Armed Forces,” the statement said.
–IANS
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