Raksha Mantri commended the valour, dedication and patriotism of the soldiers. She stated that their ethos of Nation First & Service Before Self has defined India’s military traditions from ancient times to contemporary operations such as Op Sindoor. He added that the valour of the Defence Forces extends beyond the battlefield as they provide humanitarian assistance as first responders during natural disasters within the country & abroad. “Our soldiers use weapons to protect their people, and deliver food & medicines to those in need during times of crisis. This is the defining characteristic of our Defence Forces,” he said.

The event was a unique confluence of art and valour with top defence officials, hundreds of personnel and noted artists such as Padma Shri awardees Shri Anup Jalota & Shri Kailash Kher, Smt Harshdeep Kaur and Shri Manoj Muntashir in attendance. Shri Rajnath Singh highlighted that valour and art are often viewed as opposites, but they, in fact, complement each other. He described them as powerful expressions emanating from human emotions.

Raksha Mantri underlined that the marching songs by military bands unify soldiers, with music transforming individual identity into collective strength. This sentiment, he said, is deeply embedded in the ethos of the Defence Forces.

Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, Delhi Chief Minister Smt Rekha Gupta, Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh and Vice Chief of the Army Staff Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth attended the event.

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