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Report on the Third Annual Indian Military Heritage Festival (IMHF) conducted by USI-CMHCS

Venue: USI, New Delhi

 Dates: 14–15 November 2025

1.Introduction

The United Service Institution of India (USI) hosted the Third Annual Indian Military Heritage Festival (IMHF) at its New Delhi campus on 14–15 November 2025. Since its inception in 2023, the festival has established itself as a premier platform for celebrating India’s military heritage while engaging with contemporary strategic and security issues. This year’s edition continued this tradition, bringing together senior military leaders, policymakers, diplomats, scholars, authors, think-tanks, industry representatives, and members of the public.

2.Inauguration

The festival was inaugurated by Shri Sanjay Seth, Hon’ble Raksha Rajya Mantri, who delivered the keynote address as Chief Guest, in the presence of Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai, SYSM, UYSM, AVSM, SM***, DCOAS (Strategy); VAdm AN Pramod, AVSM, YSM, DGNO; Air Mshl AK Bharti, SYSM, AVSM, VM, DCAS; Maj Gen BK Sharma, AVSM, SM** (Retd), DG USI and Sqn Ldr Rana TS Chhina, MBE (Retd), Director, USI-CMHCS. The inaugural session also featured the release of significant publications:

1. The Sukraniti: Statecraft and Warcraft by Col PK Gautam (Retd)
2. Honours and Awards of the Indian Armed Forces by Dr AK Mishra
3. 75 Years of India’s Contribution to UN Peacekeeping by Maj Gen PK Goswami, VSM (Retd)

The festival also witnessed the public release of Portraits of Valour: Timeless Military Art by Lieutenant Colonel Arul Raj by Maj Gen Ian Cardozo, AVSM, SM (Retd), and the 1965 War: Commemorative Booklet by Dr Anubhav Roy. An exhibition of iconic military paintings titled “Portraits of Valour: Military Paintings of Lt Col Arul Raj” was opened to the public, receiving wide appreciation.

1.Distinguished Participation

The festival was graced by eminent dignitaries, including: 

• Gen Anil Chauhan, PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, SM, VSM, Chief of Defence Staff
• Thiru. R.N. Ravi, Hon’ble Governor of Tamil Nadu
• Shri Sambhaji Raje Chhatrapati, Chairperson, Raigad Development Authority

Their presence underscored the national importance of the festival and its role in bridging military heritage with contemporary discourse.

2.Key Sessions and Highlights

• Operation Sindoor: Catalysing Atmanirbhar Bharat: The festival began with a special session on Operation Sindoor that set the tone for discussions on self-reliance in defence. Senior military leaders deliberated on strategies to catalyse Atmanirbhar Bharat, highlighting indigenous innovation and industry collaboration.

• Special Session featuring the Hon’ble Governor of Tamil Nadu: Thiru. R.N. Ravi, Hon’ble Governor of Tamil Nadu, was the Chief Guest for the public release of Portraits of Valour: Timeless Military Art by Lt Col Arul Raj. He emphasised that heritage and development should go hand-in-hand, noting that the festival exemplified how history, modern geopolitics, and evolving technologies can be meaningfully discussed together.
• Military Biographies: This session brought to life the inspiring journeys of India’s military leaders and decorated soldiers, including  Lt Gen Rostum K Nanavatty and Naib Subedar Chunni Lal. It underscored the importance of documenting personal narratives to preserve institutional memory.
• Lessons and Insights from the 1965 Indo-Pak War: Veterans and senior officers revisited the 1965 war, sharing operational lessons and strategic insights that remain relevant today. The session highlighted India’s resilience and adaptability in times of conflict.
• Raigad: Battlefield Trails of a World Heritage Site: A landmark session addressed the preservation of Maratha military heritage. Shri Sambhaji Raje Chhatrapati delivered a special address, offering profound insights into the legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. His deep commitment to preserving heritage greatly enriched the discourse. The overwhelming response from scholars, students, heritage enthusiasts, and defence professionals reflected the importance of regional heritage in national consciousness. His announcement of a proposed MoU between the Raigad Development Authority andUSI–CMHCS was warmly welcomed as a step toward establishing the Raigad Heritage Trail as a holistic and sustainable project.
• Law, Governance and the Armed Forces: This session examined landmark judgments on women in the armed forces and explored issues of military pensions and welfare. It reinforced the importance of governance and legal frameworks in safeguarding the rights and welfare of service personnel.
• Military Band Presentations: The ceremonial band performances were an integral part of the event, adding dignity and energy while embodying the traditions and ethos of the armed forces.
• Closing Ceremony: The festival concluded with addresses by Gen Anil Chauhan,PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, SM, VSM, Chief of Defence Staff, and Air Mshl Ashutosh Dixit, AVSM, VM, VSM, Chief of Integrated Defence Staff and President of the USI Council, alongside the release of the 1965 War Commemorative Booklet. 

3.Reception and Participation

The festival was warmly received by attendees, who appreciated the blend of historical reflection, strategic debate, and cultural engagement. Sessions witnessed active participation not only from senior leadership and subject experts but also from young students, researchers, and National Cadet Corps (NCC) cadets.

• Students from over 22 schools and colleges participated, engaging directly with senior leaders, authors, and academicians. Their excitement in interacting with the real heroes of the nation—the serving and veteran members of the Armed Forces—was unmatched.
• The wholehearted involvement of NCC cadets added further energy and depth to the event.
• Feedback highlighted the festival’s role in inspiring younger attendees to engage with India’s defence and strategic ecosystem.

The event is evolving as a major informal platform to discuss defence-related issues, spreading from history and heritage to contemporary topics of national relevance.

4.Special Commendations

• Exhibition of Timeless Military Paintings: Guidance from the Chief of Defence Staff was instrumental in creating the exhibition Timeless Military Paintings of Lt Col Arul Raj. The exhibition was widely appreciated and received special commendation from theHon’ble Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Sanjay Seth, Hon’ble Governor of Tamil Nadu Shri R.N. Ravi, and Shri Sambhaji Raje Chhatrapati. Their admiration stands as a strong endorsement of this vision.
• Declaration of the MoU with Raigad Development Authority to develop the Raigad Heritage Trail: Shri Sambhaji Raje Chattrapati’s gracious presence and special address during the Raigad session enriched the festival. His interaction with panellists, thoughtful engagement with the audience, and encouragement to pursue research and documentation were highly valued. His confidence in the USI–CMHCS Team to take forward the Raigad Heritage Trail project was deeply appreciated.

5.Conclusion

The Third Annual IMHF 2025 reaffirmed USI’s commitment to preserving India’s military heritage while fostering informed debate on contemporary and future challenges. By combining scholarship, leadership, art, and public engagement, the festival continues to strengthen its role as a unique national platform for military heritage and strategic thought. The IMHF has now established itself as a landmark event, particularly due to the enthusiastic participation of students and NCC cadets. It is emerging as a unique informal platform for discussing defence-related issues, bridging military history with contemporary topics of national concern, and contributing meaningfully to future planning and policy thinking. For further details, please visit: https://usiofindia.org/milfest/