New Delhi (NVI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi today lighted up ‘Swarnim Vijay Mashaal’ at the eternal flame of the National War Memorial on the 50th-anniversary of the 1971 India-Pakistan war.
PM Modi also laid wreath and paid homage to the heroes who made the supreme sacrifice for the country. He was received by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh at the venue.
Chief of Defence Staff Bipin Rawat along with Indian Army Chief Manoj Mukund Naravane, Indian Navy Chief Admiral Karambir Singh and Indian Air Force Chief Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria were also present during the event.
Four torches were lit this morning that will be carried to the cities and villages of the 1971 war heroes who had received the gallantry awards — Param Vir Chakra and MahaVir Chakra.
On the occasion of Vijay Diwas, Rajnath Singh also unveiled the logo for ‘Swarnim Vijay Varsh’.
Earlier in the day, the Defence Minister extended his wishes on Twitter to the countrymen on the occasion, a historic day that made Bangladesh an independent country.
“Today, on the occasion of Vijay Diwas, I salute the valour and bravery of the Indian Army. I remember the bravery of the brave soldiers who wrote a new saga of bravery in the 1971 war. Their sacrifice is a source of inspiration for all Indians. Nation will always revere them,” Singh tweeted in Hindi.
आज विजय दिवस के अवसर मैं भारतीय सेना के शौर्य एवं पराक्रम की परम्परा को नमन करता हूँ। मैं स्मरण करता हूँ उन जाँबाज़ सैनिकों की बहादुरी को जिन्होंने १९७१ के युद्ध में एक नई शौर्यगाथा लिखी। उनका त्याग और बलिदान सभी भारतीयों के लिए प्रेरणा का स्रोत है। यह देश उन्हें हमेशा याद रखेगा।
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) December 16, 2020
Vijay Diwas is celebrated in India on December 16 to commemorate its victory over Pakistan during the 1971 war that led to the creation of Bangladesh.
On this day in 1971, the then Chief of the Pakistani Forces General Niazi – along with 93,000 of his soldiers – surrendered to Indian forces.
As the day marks the anniversary of the victory, the country will celebrate ‘Swarnim Vijay Varsh’ through several events across the nation, and it will continue for a year.
-RJV
