In a significant initiative to commemorate India’s rich military history and enhance public awareness of its military heritage, the United Service Institution (USI) of India, the country’s oldest think tank, is partnering with Network18 to organize the inaugural ‘Indian Military Heritage Festival.’

Scheduled to take place on 21-22 October 2023 at the prestigious Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi, the festival promises a unique and immersive experience for attendees.

With India’s leadership of the G-20 in 2022-2023, the USI aims to align itself with the Government of India’s strategic policies, reinforcing the nation’s status as a global powerhouse, a vibrant democracy, and a rising force dedicated to the development of countries in the global south.

Despite India’s extensive and illustrious military history spanning centuries, there remains a general lack of public awareness regarding its multifaceted military heritage and security concerns.

The ‘Indian Military Heritage Festival’ aims to address this knowledge gap, offering a platform to explore India’s military history, traditions, contemporary security challenges, and the pursuit of self-reliance in military capabilities through the Atmanirbhar Bharat programs.

The festival will feature informative sessions covering diverse topics such as Indigenous Historical Knowledge systems, India’s role in the World Wars, post-independence challenges, and the portrayal of war and conflict in fiction and media. It promises to be an inclusive event catering to audiences from various backgrounds.

The event is set to engage not only Indian experts but also global think tanks, institutions, corporations, public and private sector entities, non-profit organizations, academicians, and research scholars with interests in India’s national security, foreign policy, and military history.

Over the two-day festival, panel discussions and sessions led by eminent scholars, practitioners, and retired officers will provide insights into India’s military history, contemporary security issues, social and welfare concerns facing the armed forces, the role of Atmanirbhar Bharat in the defense sector, India’s culture of gallantry, and the development of an indigenous strategic vocabulary rooted in its culture and history.

Distinguished participants will include the Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Air Staff, and Amitabh Kant, G20 Sherpa. Renowned scholars and authors will share their expertise across various panels.

Highlights of the festival will include captivating military band performances by the Tri-Service Bands, including the Army, Navy, and Indian Air Force Symphony Bands. Additionally, an exhibition celebrating significant milestones and achievements in India’s military history, in collaboration with the National Museum, will be a key attraction.

To conclude the festival, a Cultural Gala Evening will feature a special dance performance by the Trikayaa Dance Foundation, showcasing traditional and martial dance forms to narrate inspiring tales of valor and heroism.

Despite a growing interest in military history across Indian society, there remains a substantial knowledge deficit regarding Indian military systems, customs, and history. The ‘Indian Military Heritage Festival’ aspires to bridge these gaps, shedding light on the intricate relationship between war, the armed forces, and society in India.