WEB DESK
India today remembered stellar victory over Pakistan in 1971 war and birth of Bangladesh on Vijay Diwas. Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the nation in paying rich tributes to the bravehearts on the beginning of 50th-anniversary celebrations of the 1971 India-Pakistan war.
The day is observed as Vijay Diwas every year on 16th of December to mark India’s victory over Pakistan in the 1971 war that also led to the creation of Bangladesh.
On the occasion, Mr Modi laid wreath at the National War Memorial and paid homage to the fallen soldiers.
He was accompanied by Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, Army Chief General M M Narawane, Navy Chief Admiral Karambir Singh and Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal R K S Bhadauria.
The Prime Minister Narendra Modi lighted the victory flame, Swarnim Vijay Mashaal, marking the beginning of the Golden Jubilee of India’s victory over Pakistan in 1971 Indo-Pak War.
Four Mashaals will be carried to various parts of the country including to villages of Param Vir Chakra and Maha Vir Chakra Awardees of 1971 War.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh unveiled the logo for ‘Swarnim Vijay Varsh’ to mark the anniversary of the war.
16th of December, which is celebrated as Vijay Diwas is a monumental day in the history of World politics, when just in a span of 13 days a war was fought and a sovereign nation, Bangladesh was born.
The historic military victory was recorded after the Chief of the Pakistani forces, General Amir Abdullah Khan Niazi , along with over 93,000 troops, surrendered unconditionally before the Indian forces.
This was the largest military surrender and paved the way for the creation of Bangladesh.
The 1971 war was a fallout of the oppressive political and economic policies of West Pakistan towards East Pakistan, which caused unimaginable human sufferings leading to the exodus of more than 10 million refugees into India.
The military option was exercised by India only when all political and diplomatic efforts to resolve the issue failed.
In a historical address in Dhaka in early 1971, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had said, the struggle for independence will continue till the liberation force, Mukti Bahini reaches a certain destination that is creation of new sovereign country.
Within three days of the declaration of the War, Indian forces were able to completely ground the Pakistani Air Force.
Then came the historic broadcast by Indian Army Chief Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw on All India Radio asking General Niazi to lay down arms.
The surrender came on the heels of a tough warning by Field Marshal Manekshaw to Pakistan: “You surrender or we wipe you out”. He assured them of treatment as per the Geneva Convention.