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The Indian Military Heritage Festival

The Indian Military Heritage Festival

The Indian Military Heritage Festival is the flagship annual event organised by the USI of India through its Centre for Military History and Conflict Studies (CMHCS) to increase public awareness of India’s military history traditions and strategic priorities. The first annual IMHF was held on 21-22 October 2023 at the Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi, drawing an overwhelming public response and extensive media coverage. Featuring multiple high-profile panel discussions, exhibition kiosks, and cultural programs, the event was inaugurated by Shri Rajnath Singh, the Hon’ble Defence Minister of India, and received delegations from all branches of India’s armed forces. The second IMHF was held at the India International Centre in New Delhi on 08-09 November 2024 and was inaugurated by General Anil Chauhan, PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, SM, VSM, Chief of Defence Staff. The third edition of the IMHF is tentatively set to be hosted on 14-15 November 2025. The Festival aims to create an international platform to generate discussion of debate using contemporary writings on Indian military history and heritage; and to further military engagement and diplomacy by establishing communication channels with partner nations and organisations.

Speakers

"Powerful Voices, Insightful Perspectives"

General Anil Chauhan, PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, SM, VSM, ADC

General Anil Chauhan, PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, SM, VSM, ADC

Chief of Defence Staff (CDS)

General Anil Chauhan is the current Chief of Defence Staff of the Indian Armed Forces, serving since September 30, 2022. A four-star general with nearly 40 years of service,

General Anil Chauhan is the current Chief of Defence Staff of the Indian Armed Forces, serving since September 30, 2022. A four-star general with nearly 40 years of service, he has extensive experience in counter-insurgency operations in Jammu & Kashmir and North-East India.
Born on May 18, 1961, he was commissioned into the 11 Gorkha Rifles in 1981. An alumnus of the National Defence Academy and Indian Military Academy, he commanded an Infantry Division in Baramula, a corps in the North East, and the Eastern Command from September 2019 until his retirement in May 2021. He has also served as Director General of Military Operations and participated in a UN mission to Angola.
General Chauhan’s distinguished service has earned him the Param Vishisht Seva Medal, Uttam Yudh Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, Sena Medal, and Vishisht Seva Medal.

Adrian Kerrison

Adrian Kerrison

A Senior Curator in the Second World War & Mid-Twentieth Century Conflict team at IWM Duxford, Adrian Kerrison has curated several exhibitions including Spitfire: Evolution of an Icon and Hangar

A Senior Curator in the Second World War & Mid-Twentieth Century Conflict team at IWM Duxford, Adrian Kerrison has curated several exhibitions including Spitfire: Evolution of an Icon and Hangar 4: Battle of Britain, and has authored an IWM publication on the Supermarine Spitfire. As an American at Duxford, Adrian is passionate about sharing the stories of the US Army Air Force personnel who served here during the Second World War, and has acquired three significant 78th Fighter Group-related collections for the museum.
Adrian Kerrison will be exploring the role of the USAAF's 78th Fighter Group in 'Operation Overlord'. Flying P-47 Thunderbolts, the 78th Fighter Group flew from Duxford to provide aerial cover for the Allied forces in Normandy.

Air Vice Marshal Anil Golani (Retd)

Air Vice Marshal Anil Golani (Retd)

Director General, CAPS

A Qualified Flying Instructor and an Instrument Rating Instructor and Examiner, commissioned into the Fighter stream of the IAF in Dec 1982.

A Qualified Flying Instructor and an Instrument Rating Instructor and Examiner, commissioned into the Fighter stream of the IAF in Dec 1982. Fully Ops on the erstwhile Ajeet and Jaguar aircraft. Raised and commanded the first Harpy squadron of the Indian Air Force. He commanded an Air Defence Direction Centre and an operational base. One of the few to have served in senior ranks in both the Joint Services Commands of the country, Andaman & Nicobar Command as the Air Force Component Commander and Strategic Forces Command as the Chief Staff Officer (Air Vector).
The other joint services appointments include Air Officer Commanding Maritime Air Operations in Mumbai and Chief Instructor, Air Force, at Defence Services Staff College, Wellington. Superannuated from service in Nov 2019.
An avid writer and author, he has written a number of articles on air power, national security, strategy and integration of the Armed Forces. He has Co-edited two books ‘Air Power and Emerging Technologies’; 2022 and ‘Indian Air Force in its Centennial Decade’; 2023. He took over as Additional Director General CAPS on 07 May 2021.

Maj Gen BK Sharma, AVSM, SM & Bar (Retd)

Maj Gen BK Sharma, AVSM, SM & Bar (Retd)

Director General, USI

Maj Gen BK Sharma was commissioned in the SIKH LIGHT Infantry Regiment in 1976 and superannuated in 2012. He is the Director General of USI.

Maj Gen BK Sharma was commissioned in the SIKH LIGHT Infantry Regiment in 1976 and superannuated in 2012. He is the Director General of USI. He has represented his country at the UN as Military Observer in Central America and has been India’s Defence Attaché in Central Asia. He specializes in Strategic Net Assessment methodology, Scenario Building and Strategic Gaming.

Cmde C Uday Bhaskar (Retd)

Cmde C Uday Bhaskar (Retd)

Commodore C Uday Bhaskar (Retd), former Director of IDSA, New Delhi retired from the Indian Navy in early 2007 after 37 years service. He was the Director of the National Maritime Foundation form Jul 2009 till Jul 2011.

Commodore C Uday Bhaskar (Retd), former Director of IDSA, New Delhi retired from the Indian Navy in early 2007 after 37 years service. He was the Director of the National Maritime Foundation form Jul 2009 till Jul 2011. The Commodore was also associated with the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA) from 1990 where he served as the Deputy Director (1996-2004) and later headed the Institute till late 2005.
Subsequently he was appointed Member-Secretary of the Government of India Task Force on ‘Global Strategic Developments’ – a report submitted to the Prime Minister of India. Cmde Bhaskar is Editor, Maritime Affairs; and is on the Editorial Board of Contemporary Security Policy. He has edited books on nuclear and international security related issues and has contributed over 60 research articles to journals in India and abroad. He is a guest lecturer at the Indian National Defence College and other military colleges. He is a Life member of the United Service Institute (USI) and isalso Chairman, Middle East Institute @ New Delhi. The Commodore is on the Governing Council of the Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA) and the Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS), as also on the Advisory Panel of the India Habitat Centre (IHC) in New Delhi. Cmde Bhaskar is also a columnist for Reuters and the Dainik Jagran.

Col Ajay K Raina, SM (Retd)

Col Ajay K Raina, SM (Retd)

Col Ajay Raina, SM (Retd) is the founder of the Military History Research Foundation, Raina has authored and edited 27 books, focusing on military history, including Hold at All Costs and The Gallant Nunnus.

Col Ajay Raina, SM (Retd) is the founder of the Military History Research Foundation, Raina has authored and edited 29 books, focusing on military history, including Hold at All Costs and The Gallant Nunnus.
Born in 1969 in Jammu, AJ attended school and college in Jammu. In 1987, he was adjudged the BEST NCC CADET (Senior Division) from the J&K Directorate during participation in the Republic Day Camp at New Delhi. He was awarded GOVERNOR’s MEDAL for the same.He was commissioned into 93 Field Regiment in December 1990 and had the privilege of commanding the same regiment from 2007 to 2009. He was awarded the Sena Medal (Gallantry) while serving in an RR (Rashtriya Rifles) battalion in Northern Kashmir in 2006.
He is passionate for adventure activities. In 2009, Raina and his family set a Limca Book record for an unsupported motorcycle ride across 11 Ladakh passes. He holds an MSc in Weapon Technology and an MBA in Finance.

Col Mandeep Singh (Retd)

Col Mandeep Singh (Retd)

Colonel Mandeep Singh (Retd) served in Army Air Defence. A graduate of Defence Services Staff College, he commanded his Regiment during operations against Pakistan and later along the Line of Actual Control.

Colonel Mandeep Singh (Retd) served in Army Air Defence. A graduate of Defence Services Staff College, he commanded his Regiment during operations against Pakistan and later along the Line of Actual Control. He has authored seven books including “History of Indian Air Defence Artillery 1940-1945” and “Forgotten: History of Hong Kong Singapore Royal Artillery.”

Col Vivek Chadha (Retd)

Col Vivek Chadha (Retd)

Col Vivek Chadha (Retd) is a Senior Fellow at the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (MP-IDSA). He joined MP-IDSA in 2011 after serving over 22 years in the Indian Army.

Col Vivek Chadha (Retd) is a Senior Fellow at the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (MP-IDSA). He joined MP-IDSA in 2011 after serving over 22 years in the Indian Army.
Colonel Chadha’s areas of research include counter-terrorism and military studies. His single-author books on counter-terrorism include Low-Intensity Conflicts in India: An Analysis; Lifeblood of Terrorism: Countering Terrorism Finance and Company Commander in Low-Intensity Conflicts. His single-author books on military subjects include Even if Ain’t Broke Yet, Do Fix It: Enhancing Effectiveness Through Military Change; Kargil: Past Perfect: Future Uncertain; CDS and Beyond: Integration of the Indian Armed Forces. He has also written the book, Indo-US Relations: From Divergence to Convergence.

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Schedule

Programme Details

Day 1 | 14 November 2025

Day 2 | 15 November 2025

Featured At

Special Highlights and Exhibits

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Inauguration - Proj Udbhav

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Band Performance by Indian Army

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Band Performance by Indian Navy

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Band Performance by Indian Air Force

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Exhibition

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Future of the Nation

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Bookseller Stall

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Closing Ceremony

Venue

United Service Institution of India,
New Delhi

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