India celebrates its 72nd Army Day to honor the country’s soldiers

Today, India is celebrating its 72nd Army Day i.e. on 15th January 2020.

Latest News: Army Day is celebrated every year at all Indian Army Command headquarters to honor the country’s soldiers who are serving the country & also who have sacrificed their lives for the country.

What is National Army Day? How do we celebrate it and what is its purpose?

Here’s all you need to know:

What is Army Day?

• Army Day is celebrated to mark Lt Gen K M Carriappa taking over as commander-in-chief of the Indian Army in 1949 from General Francis Butcher, the last British commander-in-chief of India. The transfer of power from the British to India signifies an important moment in the Indian history. Army Day also honours soldiers who have sacrificed their lives for the country.

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Why does India celebrate Army Day on Jan 15?

• The Indian Army was established on April 1, 1895. However, after independence – on January 15, 1949 – the army got its first Indian chief.

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How does India celebrate Army Day?

• Army command headquarters in the country celebrate this day by organising military parades, which showcase various routines such as aerial stunts and bike pyramids. The main parade is held at Cariappa Parade ground in Delhi, Bravery awards and Sena medals are also distributed on this day. The country also pays tribute to the army at ‘Amar Jawan Jyoti’ at India Gate.

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What is Indian Army’s motto

• The motto of the Indian Army says “Service before self.”

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These are some of the frequently asked questions  → Army Day 2020

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Indian Army Day | Jai Hind |

India withdraws 'Most Favoured Nation' status given to Pakistan

India withdraws 'Most Favoured Nation' status given to Pakistan

India has withdrawn the 'Most Favoured Nation' status granted to Pakistan in the wake of the Pulwama terror attack in which more than 40 CRPF jawans were martyred.

Union Minister Arun Jaitley said that the government has decided to withdraw the "Most Favoured Nation" status given to Pakistan, in the wake of the worst-ever terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir a day ago when a CRPF convoy in Pulwama was rammed into by an explosive-packed SUV that has left 45 troopers dead.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi after the suicide attack on Thursday that proved to be the most devatating since militancy erupted in 1989.

Speaking to the media after the meeting, Arun Jaitley said: "The most favoured nation status which has been granted to Pakistan stands withdrawn with immediate effect."

Related Links on Pulwama Terror Attack:

• 40 CRPF personnel killed in J&K's Pulwama as Jaish militants attack convoy
• Pulwama terror attack revenge: PM Modi says forces given full freedom
• "Immediately End Support To Terror Groups": US To Pak Over Pulwama Attack

What is 'Most Favoured Nation' status?

• Under the WTO agreements, countries cannot normally discriminate between their trading partners. Grant someone a special favour (such as a lower customs duty rate for one of their products) and you have to do the same for all other WTO members.
• This principle is known as most-favoured-nation (MFN) treatment. It is so important that it is the first article of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), which governs trade in goods. MFN is also a priority in the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) (Article 2) and the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) (Article 4), although in each agreement the principle is handled slightly differently. Together, those three agreements cover all three main areas of trade handled by the WTO.

When did India grant MFN status to Pakistan?

• India granted MFN status to Pakistan in 1996, a year after the formation of WTO. After the Uri attack in 2016, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reviewed the MFN treatment accorded to Pakistan. Pakistan still hasn't granted India with MFN status.

Related Links:

• Pakistan no longer 'Most Favoured Nation': India
• Most Favoured Nation: What does Pakistan stand to lose?