Ordnance Factory Day:- Ordnance Factories Day is observed on the 18th of March, all over India The production of the oldest Ordnance Factory in India, which is located at Cossipore, Kolkata commenced on 18th March 1802. On this occasion, the Ordnance Factory, Field Gun Factory, Small Arms Factory, Ordnance Parachute Factory, and Ordnance Equipment Factory acknowledge the day with great pomp.
The day is celebrated throughout the ordnance factories in which employees of all categories take part in various organized events. This day is commemorated by the display of guns, ammunition, rifles, artillery, etc in exhibitions across India. The exhibitions are usually open to all. The celebrations get started with a parade beside the exhibition also displays photographs of several mountaineering expeditions.
HISTORY OF ORDNANCE FACTORY DAY
It is a familiar fact that the Government of India declared the celebration of Ordnance Factories Day on the 18th of March every year. The Ordnance Factories Board is popularly called as the country’s “Fourth Arm of Defense”.
The remaining three arms – the Navy, the Air Force, and the Army – each of them has its own celebration days and as the Ordnance Factories Board is the fourth arm, Government felt the need to observe a particular day as Ordnance Factories Day.
In 1801 the Gun Carriage Agency, now known as the Gun and Shell Factory, opened in Cossipore, Kolkata, marking the 200th anniversary of the first ordnance factory in the country.
British rule in India directly influenced the history of Indian Ordnance Factories. The East India Company regarded military hardware as a crucial element for increasing its political strength in India and safeguarding its economic interest.
In the year 1775, the East India Company acclaimed the foundation of the Ordnance Board at Fort William in Calcutta. This represents the official commencement of the Indian Army Ordnance.
The aim of the ordnance factories is to generate self-sufficiency in the production of defense and to create awareness about ammunition and arms among the general public.
WHY WAS ORDNANCE FACTORIES DAY CELEBRATED?
The occasion is regarded as an event to confirm the dedication of the Ordnance Board to the nation, by means of ensuring high-quality products for the armed forces of India and also by ensuring superior quality of working life for the employees of the board.
The ordnance factories recognize their best employees. In proportion to the other national awards, the Board has instituted awards like Ayudh Shri/Devi, Ayudh Bhushan, Ayudh Ratna, and so on.
ACTIVITIES ON ORDNANCE FACTORY DAY
The celebration commenced with flag hoisting by a general manager in each factory and there is an administration of a pledge by all the workmen, staff, and officers of the Ordnance Factory to serve their nation.
The officers call upon the employees of their respective factories to dedicate their services for the betterment of their factories by keeping in line with the targets fixed by the corporation.
The event is celebrated in all the ordnance factories of the country by conducting programs like conferences and seminars on productivity, quality, and other subjects.
This day also promotes a feeling of unity and togetherness among the employees. They heartily feel that they are a member of a big family. The ordnance factories, which are located in distinct far-flung spheres of the country, also organize welfare activities.
They provide schooling, healthcare, and housing to their employees. The Women’s Welfare Association immensely contributes to the enhancement of the environment in the families of the employees of the ordnance factories and the estates of the factories.
There is also a sharing of the future modernization plans of different factories so that the employees work shoulder to shoulder in order to accomplish the set missions.
Exhibition of the products displayed which include several types of pistols, light machine guns, guns, and other weapons along with multimedia presentations that are open to all employees.
The event is generally attended by the staff, workmen, officers of the respective factories, and also representatives of several unions, associations, and federations.
Ordnance Factory Board
Ordnance Factories Board laid its foundation in the year 1775 with headquarters in Ayudh Bhawan, Kolkata. It is the oldest industrial organization managed by the Indian Government and the world’s largest production organization that is operated by the government.
It is also one of the top 50 manufacturers of defense equipment in the world. The board is engaged in the testing, production, research, development, logistics, and marketing of a comprehensive range of products in the field of land, sea, and air systems.
In India, there are 41 Ordnance Factories, 4 Regional Safety Controllerates, 3 Regional Marketing Centers, and 9 Training Institutes under the Ordnance Factories Board. It is regarded as the “Force behind the Armed Forces” and the “Fourth Arm of Defense” of India.
The board is managed by the Ministry of Defense. Indian Ordnance Factories deliver products to all three Armed Forces of India- Indian Air Force, Indian Army, and Indian Navy. Approximately 30 countries export weapons spare, parachutes, chemicals and explosives, arms and ammunition, clothing, and leather items.
Indian Ordnance Factories Service (IOFS)
Indian Ordnance Factories Service is a civil service of the Indian government. Officers of the IOFS are Gazetted Defense – civilian officers secondary to the Ministry of Defense. They are accountable for managing the Indian Ordnance Factories.
The major functions executed by the officers of the IOFS include project management, product development, and research, quality control, materials management, supply management, production control and planning, industrial safety, personnel management, labor welfare, industrial relations, maintenance and management of residential estates and various others.
In the discharge of these functions, IOFS officers extensively interact with several research and development organizations, educational institutes, quality control agencies, public sector undertakings under the Ministry of Defense, ministries, trade, and industrial organizations, etc.
In addition to recruiting IOFS officers, the Union Public Service Commission offers re-orientation and induction courses as well as training them in public administration, management, and technology at the National Academy of Defense Production, Nagpur.
Ordnance Training Institutes
- Ordnance Factories Institute of Learning in Ambajhari, Nagpur
- National Academy of Defense Production in Nagpur
- Ordnance Factories Institute of Learning in Avadi, Chennai
- Ordnance Factories Institute of Learning in Khamaria, Jabalpur
- Ordnance Factories Institute of Learning in Medak
- Ordnance Factories Institute of Learning in Ambernath, Mumbai
- Ordnance Factories Institute of Learning in Dehradun
- Ordnance Factories Institute of Learning in Kanpur
- Ordnance Factories Institute of Learning in Ishapore, Kolkata
Regional Marketing Centers
- Regional Marketing Center, Delhi
- Regional Marketing Center Avadi, Chennai
- Regional Marketing Center, Pune
List of Ordnance Regional Controllerates of Safety
- Regional Controllerate of Safety, Kanpur
- Regional Controllerate of Safety Avadi, Chennai
- Regional Controllerate of Safety, Pune
- Regional Controllerate of Safety Ambajhari, Nagpur
List of Ordnance Factories in India
- Cordite Factory Aruvankadu
- Ammunition Factory Khadki, Pune
- Ordnance Factory Kanpur
- Field Gun Factory, Kanpur
- Ordnance Factory Dumdum, Kolkata
- Engine Factory Avadi, Chennai
- Ordnance Factory Dehradun
- Ordnance Factory Dehu Road, Pune
- Gun Carriage Factory, Jabalpur
- Ordnance Factory, Itarsi
- Gun and Shell Factory, Kolkata
- Ordnance Factory Katni
- Grey Iron Foundry, Jabalpur
- Ordnance Factory Khamaria, Jabalpur
- High Explosives Factory, Pune
- Ordnance Factory Project Medak
- Metal and Steel Factory, Kolkata
- Ordnance Factory Project Korwa
- Heavy Vehicles Factory, Chennai
- Ordnance Factory Project Nalanda
- Ordnance Equipment Factory, Hazratpur
- Ordnance Factory Muradnagar
- Machine Tool Prototype Factory, Mumbai
- Ordnance Factory Tiruchirappalli
- Ordnance Cable Factory, Chandigarh
- Opto Electronics Factory, Dehradun
- Heavy Alloy Penetrator Project, Tiruchirappalli
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Ordnance Clothing Factory, Avadi, Chennai
- Ordnance Parachute Factory, Kanpur
- Ordnance Equipment Factory, Kanpur
- Small Arms Factory, Kanpur
- Ordnance Factory Ambajhari, Nagpur
- Rifle Factory Ishapore, Kolkata
- Ordnance Clothing Factory, Shahjahanpur
- Vehicle Factory Jabalpur
Conclusion
As Ordnance Factories Board plays a very crucial role in the development of the Armed Forces of India, Ordnance Factories Day must be given due importance.
Not only does this, the organization supplies armaments to various armed forces, but it also meets the desires of other customers viz. the State Police Forces and Central Paramilitary Forces in regard to ammunition, arms, mine-protected vehicles, bulletproof vehicles, clothing, etc.
Ordnance Factories Day imparts general awareness about the essence of the Ordnance Board across India. Common people are also welcomed in grand celebrations where they can see the exhibitions, parades, etc.
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| March Social Events | Date of Celebration |
| National Safety Day | 4th March |
| International Women’s Day | 8th March |
| Dandi March Day | 12th March |
| World Kidney Day | 11th March |
| Ordnance Factories Day | 18th March |
| International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination | 21st March |
| World Forestry Day | 21st March |
| World Water Day | 22nd March |
| Martyrs Day | 23rd March and 30th January |
| World Meteorological Day | 23rd March |
| World TB Day | 24th March |