Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 16: ‘Swarnim Vijay Varsh’–the 50th anniversary of the 1971 India-Pakistan war was celebrated with patriotic fervour.
Northern Command of the India Army today commemorated the sacrifice of its forces in the 1971 war by dedicating to them ‘Swarnim Vijay Dwar’ in Udhampur.
This year is the 50th anniversary of the 1971 India-Pakistan war, and is being celebrated as ‘Swarnim Vijay Varsh’.
On Dec 16, 1971, about 93000 Pakistani armed soldiers surrendered to the Indian Army in a historic capitulation.
The war was waged for the cause of liberation of the oppressed in the erstwhile East Pakistan, which resulted in formation of Bangladesh.
More than 2500 Indian soldiers lost their lives during the war.
Kargil War hero and Northern Command Chief Lt Gen Y K Joshi dedicated the ‘Swarnim Vijay Dwar’ to the supreme sacrifice by of Indian soldiers in a ceremony at Udhampur Military Station, a defence spokesperson said.
The General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C), Northern Command presided over the event at the Dhruva War Memorial and laid a wreath on behalf of all ranks of northern command, the spokesperson said.
He also highlighted the indomitable courage and dogged determination of all soldiers, who continue to inspire the country.
The day was also marked by the unveiling of busts of two Param Vir Chakra and 18 Maha Vir Chakra recipients who participated in the 1971 War.
On December 7, the Khalra cycling expedition was also flagged off at Rakhmuthi Military Station at Akhnoor, Kashmir to commemorate the war anniversary.
During its 10-day course, the expedition, undertaken by a team of 14 Soldiers, covered a distance of 650 Kilometres.
General Officer Commanding, Fire and Fury Corps Lieutenant General P G K Menon, laid a wreath at the iconic Leh War Memorial on the occasion of Vijay Diwas.
Defence spokesman Col Emron Musavi said the homage was paid to the bravehearts who made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty during 1971 Indo-Pak War with solemn reverence and patriotic fervour.
General Officer Commanding, Fire and Fury Corps Lieutenant General P G K Menon, laid a wreath at the iconic Leh War Memorial.
Homage was also paid to the bravehearts on behalf of all ranks of the formation including senior military officers and a large number of troops from Leh Garrison who were present during the wreath laying ceremony.
Lieutenant General P G K Menon called upon all ranks of Fire and Fury Corps to re-dedicate themselves in the service of the nation and always keep ‘Nation First’ in all their endeavours.
A solemn ceremony was held at the War Memorial ‘Veer Smriti’, Chandimandir to conclude the commemoration of “Swarnim Vijay Varsh” by paying homage to the valiant soldiers for their supreme sacrifice. As a tribute to the “Bravehearts” wreaths were laid by Lt Gen Nav K Khanduri GOC-in-C, Western Command and veterans of the Tri-city which included former Chief of Army Staff Gen VP Malik, former Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Sunil Lanba and former Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa and Senior Veterans from all three services.
On the concluding day of ‘Swarnim Vijay Varsh’ celebrations, Army based at Bhadarwah along with Ex-Servicemen League Doda paid rich tributes to martyrs of 1971 war at historic Seri Bazar Bhadarwah, beside special floral tributes were also paid to CDS Gen Bipin Rawat and his team, who died in chopper crash on December 9.
On the occasion, ADC Bhadarwah Rakesh Kumar was the chief guest, while DDC Chairman Doda Dhananter Singh and Vice Chairperson DDC Doda Sangeeta Bhagat were the guests of honour. SP Bhadarwah Abdul Qayoom was the special invitee and CO RR presided over the function.
Participants paid rich tribute to the sacrifices of India’s armed forces during the 1971 war on the occasion of conclusion of ‘Swarnim Vijay Diwas’ celebration.
Army, Ex-Servicemen, Police, Civil Administration, political and social leaders participated in the programme.
Army’s Band of Bhadarwah also presented patriotic songs on the occasion to pay tributes to martyrs, while Veer Naris, Veer Matas and family members of martyrs were felicitated on the occasion.
On completing 50 years of Vijay Diwas, Freedom Fighters Memorial Association J&K held a meeting. While speaking, Chairman of Association Ved Gandotra said that in this war Indian Army had given the country a decisive victory and liberated Bangladesh. General Secretary Ravinder Mittal, Sandoor Singh Bhalwal President of the association and many others attended the meeting.
NCC unit of the GDC, Basohli celebrated the Vijay Diwas to commemorate 50th anniversary of the glorious victory of the Indian armed forces over Pakistan in the 1971 war and Kargil Vijay Diwas. The event was organized under the patronage of Dr Nidhi Kotwal, Principal of the college and supervised by Dr Papinder kumar, Organizing Secretary. Tilak Raj Thappa, ADC Basohli was the chief guest. A cultural program was presented by the college students. Later, the participants belonging to various sports categories, who brought laurels in terms of Gold, Silver and Bronze medals for the college, were felicitated. The program culminated with the formal vote of thanks by Prof Bhram Dutt.
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