Third edition of Indian Military Heritage Festival begins in Delhi today
New Delhi: The third edition of the Indian Military Heritage Festival (IMHF) is set to begin in the national capital on Friday, highlighting the rich legacy, contributions and evolving role of the Indian armed forces, officials said.
Organised by the United Service Institution of India (USI), the two-day festival–scheduled for November 14 and 15, will be inaugurated by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth.
Designed as a platform for dialogue on India’s military history, national security and geopolitical developments, the IMHF brings together representatives from the Army, Navy and Air Force, policymakers, diplomats, academics, think-tanks and industry experts. A senior official said the festival aims to promote multi-stakeholder engagement on military heritage and contemporary defence issues.
The 2025 edition will showcase a range of attractions, including an exhibition of iconic military artwork by Lt Col Arul Raj (Retd) and the release of notable publications such as The Sukraniti: Statecraft and Warcraft by Col PK Gautam (Retd) and Honours & Awards of the Indian Armed Forces by Dr AK Mishra.
A series of panel discussions featuring prominent authors and defence scholars will also be held. These sessions will cover themes like Operation Sindoor, The War India Forgot, Contested Partitions, Tussles over Tibet, BSF and Bangladesh, Udbhav, Taming the Waves, Military Biographies and Technology and Strategy.
Last year’s edition witnessed the launch of Project Shaurya Gatha, a joint initiative of the Department of Military Affairs and the USI aimed at preserving India’s military heritage through education, outreach and tourism.
The festival traditionally highlights key defence publications, with past editions featuring titles such as Because of This: A History of the Indo-Pak Air War December 1971 by Air Marshal Vikram Singh (Retd); Valour and Honour, a joint release by the Indian Army and USI; and Silent Weapons, Deadly Secrets by Dr Mrinmayee Bhushan, edited by Lt Gen Vinod Khandare (Retd).
In 2024, DRDO showcased a major photo exhibition tracing its contribution to Atmanirbhar Bharat through indigenous defence innovation.
According to organisers, NCC cadets and students from schools and colleges across Delhi-NCR will also participate this year, with information stalls from the three Services offering insights into career opportunities in the armed forces.
The inaugural IMHF was held in October 2023 at the Manekshaw Centre, where military bands and curated exhibits highlighted India’s diverse military traditions and achievements.
(with inputs from agencies)
