Vijay Diwas: PM pays tribute at National War Memorial

Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute at National War Memorial on Wednesday morning on the 50th anniversary of the 1971 India-Pakistan war in New Delhi. On the occasion, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh unveiled the logo for 'Swarnim Vijay Varsh' to mark the anniversary of the war. Four 'Victory Mashaals' (flames) lit from the Eternal Flame of National War Memorial will be carried to various parts of the country including to villages of Param Vir Chakra and Maha Vir Chakra awardees of 1971 war.
Vijay Diwas is observed every year on December 16 as a mark of victory over Pakistan in the 1971 war that also led to the creation of Bangladesh.Defence Minister Rajnath Singh today saluted the bravery of Indian Army on Vijay Diwas. In a tweet, Singh said the soldiers wrote new chapter on bravery. He said their sacrifice evokes inspiration in Indians and nation will always revere them.Various commemorative events will be conducted pan-India wherein war veterans will be felicitated, the statement said, adding that band displays, seminars, exhibitions, equipment displays, film festivals, conclaves and adventure activities will also be held.

Bangladesh also celebrated ‘Bijoy Dibosh’, Victory Day on Wednesday to mark the day it attained liberation from Pakistan and became an independent nation in 1971 under the leadership of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.As a mark of respect to the martyrs of the Liberation War of Bangladesh, wreaths were placed on the National Memorial in Savar on the outskirts of Dhaka on behalf of the President M. Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the morning on Wednesday.The Victory Day was observed on a limited scale due to the prevailing Corona pandemic in the country.

On this day in 1971, the commander of the Pakistani forces in Bangladesh Gen AAK Niazi along with more than 90,000 soldiers surrendered before the Indian Army and Muktibahini in Dhaka heralding the birth of a new nation-Bangladesh.The victory over Pakistan army was achieved after a nine month long liberation war carried by the people of Bangladesh and supported by Indian armed forces.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in her message on the occasion of Bijoy Dibash called Bangladesh the land of Lalon Shah, Rabidranath Tagore, Kazi Nazrul Islam and Jibonanda. She reminded that Bangladesh gained its independence based on the sacrifice of people of all faiths and religions including Muslims, Hindus, Budhhists and Christians. She added that Bangladesh has the heritage of liberal spirituality and pluralism.Sheikh Hasina cautioned people that some forces in the country are trying to mislead ordinary Muslims to create unrest and pull back the country to the situation that prevailed 50 years back.  She called upon the youth to uphold this spirit  and not forget the sacrifice of the forefathers.