The United Service Institution (USI) of India, the country’s oldest think tank, is all set to host the inaugural Indian Military Heritage Festival. This significant event will take place on October 21-22 at the Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi, and it aims to address a notable gap in India’s national conversations and cultural calendar.
A senior officer emphasized, “The festival’s main focus is to help us better understand India’s rich military heritage, our contemporary security and strategic challenges, and our efforts to become self-reliant in military capabilities through the government’s Atmanirbhar Bharat programs.”
Despite India’s long and proud military history spanning centuries, many people remain unaware of the various aspects of India’s military past, heritage, and security concerns. Through well-informed sessions featuring discussions on indigenous historical knowledge systems, India’s role in World Wars, post-independence challenges, and the study of war and conflict through the lens of fiction and media, the Indian Military Heritage Festival promises to be a unique and inclusive event, catering to people from all walks of life.
The festival aims to engage both global and Indian think tanks, institutions, corporations, public and private sector entities, non-profit organizations, academics, and research scholars who have been dedicated to topics related to India’s national security, foreign policy, military history, and military heritage.
Over the course of two days, the festival will provide various insights and perspectives on matters concerning our Armed Forces. Panel discussions and conversations involving esteemed scholars, practitioners, and retired officers will delve into how we perceive our military history, contemporary security issues, social and welfare challenges faced by our Armed Forces, the role of Atmanirbhar Bharat in the defence sector, India’s tradition of bravery, and the development of an indigenous strategic language rooted in our culture and history, as we move forward.
One of the festival’s major highlights will be the unveiling of the UDBHAV project on the first day. The Indian Army and USI are jointly launching this project through the Centre of Military History and Conflict Studies (CMHCS). It aims to explore the evolution of indigenous military systems, understand ancient Indian strategic thinking, and develop a strategic vocabulary based on Indian culture and philosophy to promote India’s soft power in global politics. Special sessions will include esteemed figures like the Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of Army Staff, and Amitabh Kant, G20 Sherpa. Additionally, various books related to the 1971 War, such as “Armour 71,” will be discussed to offer deeper insights.
The festival will see the presence of distinguished scholars and authors across various panels. Notable highlights include military band performances by Tri-Service Bands, encompassing the Army, Navy, and Indian Air Force Symphony Bands. An exhibition, organized in collaboration with the National Museum, will showcase and celebrate select milestones and achievements in India’s extensive military history.
To add a cultural touch to the event, there will be a Cultural Gala Evening featuring a special dance performance by the Trikayaa Dance Foundation. This performance will incorporate traditional and martial dance forms to recount untold tales of heroism and valour.
Despite the growing interest in military history among a wide cross-section of Indian society, there remains a significant knowledge gap regarding Indian Military Systems, customs, and history. As the quoted officer pointed out, “The Indian Military Heritage Festival aims to bridge these gaps in our understanding of the interplay between war, the Armed Forces, and society.”