Army Training Command Celebrates 35th Raising Day in Shimla

The Army Training Command (ARTRAC) celebrated its 35th Raising Day in Shimla on Sunday with a series of events that highlighted unity, fitness, and the integration of technology into future-ready training.

The celebrations began at the historic Ridge with a vibrant performance by the Army Symphony Band, which presented an eclectic mix ranging from stirring martial tunes to popular Bollywood numbers.

Lieutenant General Devendra Sharma, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, flagged off the “Run for Excellence.” Soldiers, families, and children enthusiastically joined the three-kilometer uphill stretch from the Indian Institute of Advanced Study to the Ridge, showcasing a spirit of unity, pride, and camaraderie.

Addressing the gathering, Lt. Gen. Sharma praised the participants and underscored the importance of maintaining fitness in today’s digital era. He reaffirmed ARTRAC’s commitment to the Fit India initiative, emphasizing physical well-being as a cornerstone of preparedness.

Established in 1991 at Mhow, Madhya Pradesh, with Lt. Gen. A.S. Kalkat as its first Commander, ARTRAC was relocated to Shimla in March 1993. It is one of the Indian Army’s seven commands and oversees institutional training through 34 establishments nationwide. Its mandate includes formulating military doctrine, developing leadership across ranks, and integrating new technologies and innovations into training curricula.

As part of the Army’s vision for the “Decade of Transformation” and the “Year of Technology Infusion,” ARTRAC has launched 57 initiatives focused on jointness and integration, force restructuring, modernization, systems and processes, and human resource management.

Recognizing that future conflicts will be shaped by advanced technology, 15 premier Army training institutions are being developed as “Centres of Excellence” in 33 specialized technology domains. By 2030, ARTRAC aims to embed all of these capabilities, supported by a planned investment of ₹390 crore over the next five years in research and development, infrastructure, and training.