As part of 49th Vijay Diwas Celebrations, commemorating the victory of Indian Armed Forces and the Mukti Bahini over Pakistani Forces during the 1971 War, a memorial service for those killed in Action in 1971 War was held at Vijay Smarak at Fort William, Kolkata on 16 December 2020 which was presided by Lt Gen Anil Chauhan, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Eastern Command.
Vijay Diwas Celebrations at Fort William, Eastern Command assume a special significance, as Mukti Jodhas and Indian War Veterans who fought shoulder to shoulder, have been reuniting each year to celebrate this momentous occasion in history. This year also a 72 member delegation from Bangladesh comprising Mukti Jodhas and serving officers from Bangladesh Defence Forces attended the events. The delegation was led by Md Ali Ashraf, Chairman Parliament Committee govt assurance Bangladesh.
The solemn ceremony began with religious invocations by priests of all faiths as is the norm of our Armed Forces. The air was filled with the melodious rendition of patriotic hymns and bhajans played by the Army band which wafted across the Vijay Smarak further adding to the ambience of the solemn occasion. Wreaths were laid by Veterans, members of the Bangladeshi delegation and by representatives of the three Services. As buglers sounded the ‘Last Post’ and ‘Rouse’, from the rampart behind the magnificent edifice of the War Memorial, the participants including school children and media personnel observed two minutes silence to pay homage to all those who made the supreme sacrifice.
On the other hand Eastern Naval Command observed the commencement of the 50th anniversary of Vijay Diwas being celebrated as ‘Swarnim Vijay Varsh’ by paying tributes to the valiant personnel of the Armed Forces who made the supreme sacrifice during various operations in the 1971 War on 16 Dec 20.
A Floral wreath was placed at the ‘Victory at Sea’ War Memorial here today morning by Vice Admiral Kiran Manikrao Deshmukh, VSM Director General Naval Projects, Visakhapatnam. A 50 man Guard was paraded at the venue and a two-minute silence was observed as a mark of respect to the Veers. Various commemorative events are planned across the nation as part of the 50 Years of India-Pak War celebrations in the form of ‘Swarnim Vijay Varsh’.
In Delhi, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi lighted the victory flame, ‘Swarnim Vijay Mashaal’, marking the beginning of the Golden Jubilee of India’s victory over Pakistan in Indo-Pak War, at the National War Memorial followed by 3 Sukhoi fighter aircraft fly past the National War Memorial.
On the occasion of Vijay Diwas, Frontier HQ BSF South Bengal, organized a special program at about 1100 hours, on 16th Dec 2020, at Boyra High school, in the remembrance of 1971 war to commemorate India’s victory over Pakistan in secession of East Pakistan in to Bangladesh.
The event was inaugurated by Sh. Ashwini Kumar Singh, Inspector General, Frontier HQs BSF South Bengal at Boyra High school near Border Out Post Boyra under 107 BN BSF, district Nadia. Sh. Prathvi Singh, Comdt/Offg DIG of Sector Krishnanagar and Commandants of all under command units of SHQ BSF Krishnanagar and other officers, Subordinate officers & other ranks of BSF were present in the event.
Dilip Singha Roy, Sh Suryakant Samander, Sh Laxman Pal of Village Kulanandpur were invited by BSF as special guests to share their experience of the 1971 war. A special delegation from BGB was also invited to felicitate the event and Colonel. Md Selim Reza, PSC, AC of 49 BGB along with Lt. Colonel Md Mamunar Rosid, Lt. Colonel Abul Hasan Md Toufiq, Lt Colonel Md Abu Sayed Hasan was welcomed by Sh. Alok Kumar Singh, Commandant 107 battalion, in the event .
In the beginning of the event Sh. Prathvi Singh, Commandant, welcomed everyone and invited worthy IG to brief start the Vijay Diwas event, Followed by this a documentary film was displayed which depicts about the 1971 War and India’s victory over Pakistan in secession of East Pakistan in to Bangladesh. After the speech of worthy IG, the BGB Officer was also invited to share a few words in the context followed by a cultural programme by school children and all the dignitaries and approx. 200 civil population had an extensive visit to the war memories gallery made by BSF.
In the end, IG FTR HQ SB & BGB Officers exchanged mementoes and also felicitate the civil persons who shared their experience. BGB Officer felicitated the BSF Jazz Band with gifts. At about 1430 hrs the event ended in cordial atmosphere.
The Nation celebrates Vijay Diwas on 16th December every year to commemorate the historic victory against Pakistan in the 1971 War. On this momentous day, 49 years ago, over 93,000 Pakistani troops under the command of Lieutenant General AAK Niazi raised white flags and surrendered unconditionally at Dhaka, in the presence of the three tri-service theatre Commanders of Indian Armed Forces.
It was on this day in 1971, that a declaration of the cease-fire was brought into force ending the Indo-Pak War and resulting secession of East Pakistan to the sovereign country of Bangladesh.
