Army Day: If the plan of the country’s first Army Chief had been successful then a soldier would have come out from every house.

Just imagine… if common people in the country were also given training like the army! Something like Israel. Not only those who want to join the army, but students studying in schools and colleges, brothers selling goods at nearby shops, teachers and doctors, all would get special training. If this had happened, then the youth picture of India today would have definitely been enhanced!

This was the dream of the first Army Chief of independent India. Field Marshal KMCariappa had seen this dream 77 years ago and had also made a special plan for it. Today the entire country is celebrating the 77th Army Day (Army Day 2025). On this day in the year 1949, General Cariappa (later became Field Marshal) took command of the Indian Army. General Kodandera M. Cariappa (KMCariappa) took command of the army as the Commander-in-Chief of the country on January 15, 1949. This is how the country got its first Indian Army Chief. Earlier, the command of the Indian Army was in the hands of General Sir Francis Robert Roy Bucher. Since then the entire country celebrates this day with special enthusiasm.

As soon as he/she assumed the post of Commander-in-Chief, Cariappa took many new initiatives. General Cariappa said, ‘The army is for the service of the people and its purpose is to preserve the democracy and freedom of the country.’ In his/her very first order (Special Order of the Day) he/she had made it clear what role the Indian Army had to play. But he/she had a dream, which remained unfulfilled. If the dream of the country’s first Army Chief had been fulfilled, then perhaps every house in India would have had a soldier today.

what was that dream

There was a very special decision among the early decisions of General Cariappa. As soon as he/she took charge, he/she made a proposal. According to this, not only the soldiers joining the army but every citizen of the country should be given army training. he/she believed that this would increase discipline among the common people, which would be very useful in everyday life.

army chief’s proposal

Under this special scheme, several parade grounds were selected by contacting the local police. The Army will train volunteers aged between 18 to 35 years on these grounds once a week. According to the proposal, these people will gather in small groups of 15-20 people. These people will be reporting to a Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO). The control of such 4 groups will be with the Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO). There will be an officer on all these groups.

training like army soldiers

It was said in the proposal that each group would be given easy physical training of 10-10 minutes. With this there will be 20 minutes of squad training without rifle. During this, training will be given to march like an army without rifles. This training also included 20-20 minute sessions on cleanliness, hygiene and discipline. Each volunteer had to attend a total of 6 sessions.

Army Day History: Why is Army Day celebrated on 15 January? What is the history of this day?

There is no burden of expenditure on the government

The first Commander-in-Chief of the country was also well aware that it was not right to impose any kind of economic burden on the country immediately after independence. Therefore, no budget was demanded from the government in this program. The instructions were clear… no money would be given for participating in this program. Nor will any arrangement for food or drink be made during the training. Everyone will have to make their own arrangements. They can participate in it wearing whatever clothes they want.

did not get approval

According to General Cariappa’s plan, this training should be started first in Delhi, Lucknow, Jhansi, Ambala, Amritsar, Kolkata, Nagpur, Chennai, Bangalore, Coimbatore, Pune and Ahmedabad. After this, it can be started in villages also with the help of police. he/she believed that this would increase discipline as well as self-confidence among the people. But this idea of ​​General Cariappa could not come to fruition. Politics came into the picture in this scheme. It could never get approval from the government.