Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU/SRINAGAR, Dec 16: The Army and Ex-servicemen today celebrated Vijay Diwas in Jammu and Kashmir and other parts of the country and paid homage to soldiers who laid down their lives in the 1971 India-Pakistan war.
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Lieutenant Governor, Union Territory of J&K, Manoj Sinha paid tribute to the martyrs, who laid down their lives for the Nation during the 1971 war. The day commemorates the historic victory of Indian Armed Forces and the indomitable spirit of the brave soldiers.
In his message, the Lt Governor said, “On Vijay Diwas, let us remember the valour of our soldiers and their unwavering commitment to defend India’s sovereignty and protect human dignity. We are eternally indebted to our brave soldiers for their courage and selfless service to the nation for protecting our frontiers from the enemies and maintaining peace in the country,” he added.
“I salute our gallant soldiers for their exemplary courage and supreme sacrifice to gain a decisive victory for our Nation in the 1971 war”, Lt Governor said.
At Northern Command Headquarters Udhampur, Lt Gen YK Joshi, GOC-in-C of Northern Army laid a wreath at `Dhruva Shaheedi Samarak’ to commemorate the occasion.
A large number of Army personnel and ex-servicemen participated in the celebrations at Udhampur Command Headquarters. While remembering all the bravehearts who laid down their lives for the nation, all ranks of the Northern Command reaffirmed their steadfast and lifelong commitment to their families.
Western Command celebrated ‘Vijay Diwas’ in a solemn ceremony at the Command headquarters Chandimandir today.
On behalf of GOC-in-C, Western Command, Lt Gen Yogendra Dimri, Chief off Staff laid the wreath at War Memorial/ Veer Samriti. A number of senior veterans of all the three services also graced the occasion and paid their tributes to the war heroes.
The Vijay Diwas also marks the commencement of Golden Jubilee year of 1971 India-Pak war which is being celebrated across the nation as `Swarnim Vijay Varsh’.
‘Smritika War Memorial’ in Lucknow Cantonment was in resplendent glory today, when the brave soldiers of the three services of the Armed Forces, who gave the nation its biggest military victory on December 16, 1971, were remembered and honoured.
The day began with a solemn wreath laying ceremony at Smritika War Memorial. Lieutenant General MU Nair, Chief of Staff (COS), Central Command accompanied by officers and soldiers of Lucknow Garrison paid rich floral tributes and laid wreaths at the Memorial amidst soul stirring patriotic tunes played by the military band. The General Officer saluted the martyrs and two minutes silence was observed.
On this day in 1971, the Chief of the Pakistani forces, General Amir Abdullah Khan Niazi, alongwith 93,000 troops, surrendered to the allied forces comprised of the Indian Army and Mukti Bahini, led by General Jagjit Singh Arora of India in the Romna Race Course, now Suhrawardy Udyan, in Dhaka after their defeat in the war.
The war which commenced on Dec 3, 1971 and lasted only 14 days, stripped Pakistan of more than half of its population and nearly one-third of its Army was taken into captivity. The Indian Army personnel fought with exceptional valour in this war on both Eastern and Western Fronts and registered one of the most spectacular victories ever achieved in world military history.
This is worth mentioning that the Pakistani PoWs were kept in Fatehgarh, Uttar Pradesh, lies under Central Command only.
Corps Headquarters Nagrota also marked the 49th year of victory of Indian Army in 1971 war. White Knight Corps Commander, Lt Gen M V Suchindra Kumar, laid wreath at Ashwamedh Shaurya Sthal War Memorial at Nagrota to honour the valiant martyrs of Indian Army. The officers, JCOs and jawans of White Knight Corps also paid their homage on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, GOC exhorted the valiant troops of the White Knight Corps to be “Ever Ready” to face any challenges with grit, determination and valour and emerge victorious.
Chinar Corps at Badami Bagh Cantonment, Srinagar also celebrated Vijay Diwas today. The Indian Army’s victory in the 1971 Indo-Pak War led to the birth of Bangladesh.
The Chinar Corps was responsible for the entire erstwhile State of Jammu & Kashmir during the war and gave a sterling account of itself in various battles achieving many successes. A solemn wreath laying ceremony was organised at the War Memorial.
Addressing the gathering on the occasion, Lt Gen BS Raju, Chinar Corps Commander said that the Army is grateful to the veterans for their services to the Nation. He said that a victory of such a magnitude would not have been possible without tremendous sacrifice by the soldiers. The Corps Commander added that UT of J&K is going through a process of change to bring an end to Pakistan sponsored terrorism. Concentrated efforts of the State & the citizens of UT of J&K will soon bring peace and prosperity, he added.
To mark the occasion in Jammu, Maj Gen Vijay B Nair, GOC Tiger Division, laid wreath at Tiger War Memorial and honoured the valiant martyrs of Indian Army. The officers, JCOs and jawans of Tiger Division also paid tributes on the occasion.
The GOC exhorted all ranks to maintain high standard of preparedness to face any challenges with grit, determination and valour and emerge victorious.
Army commemorated ‘Vijay Diwas’ at Keri (Rajouri) in traditional way alongwith villagers, children and Ex- Serviceman. The anniversary of Vijay Diwas was observed by paying tribute to unsung heroes for their supreme sacrifice which resulted in the unilateral and unconditional surrender of the Pakistan Army and subsequent conversion of East Pakistan into Bangladesh.
The villagers and children were exhorted to take inspiration from the valour of our soldiers. The event include a two minute silence and extending a heartfelt gratitude to the fallen heroes. Ex-servicemen present during the occasion were also facilitated for their contribution for their contribution during 1971.
84 Infantry Brigade Headquarters, under the aegis of ‘Rising Star Corps’ organized Medical camp at Sarwaunder ‘Op Sadbhavana’ on the occasion of Vijay Diwas,which was inaugurated by Brigadier Hartej Singh Bajaj, Cdr 84 Infantry Brigade.
The camp aimed at providing med eqpt and amenities towards prevention of COVID-19 for the residents of vill Sarwa. It included masks, face shield, sanitizers, hand gloves and immunity booster tablets. The villagers came out in over whelming numbers to receive amenities and medical equipment.
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