New Delhi, Dec 16:
President Droupadi Murmu on Saturday led the nation in paying tribute to the fallen heroes of the 1971 war that led to redrawing of the political map of South Asia and ended the horrific violence unleashed by the Pakistani army on millions of Bangladeshi people.
The remarkable victory in the war following the surrender of more than 90,000 Pakistani soldiers on December 16, 1971, resulted in the birth of Bangladesh as an independent country. India commemorates December 16 as Vijay Diwas.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday paid tribute to the heroes of India’s victory over Pakistan in the 1971 war on the occasion of ‘Vijay Diwas’.
“Their valour and dedication remain a source of immense pride for the nation. Their sacrifices and unwavering spirit will forever be etched in the people’s hearts and our nation’s history,” PM Modi said in a post on X.
India salutes their courage and remembers their indomitable spirit, he said. The prime minister said, “Today, on Vijay Diwas, we pay heartfelt tributes to all the brave heroes who dutifully served India in 1971, ensuring a decisive victory.”
President Droupadi Murmu too paid homage to armed forces personnel for displaying “unparalleled courage” and achieving a “historic victory” on the occasion of ‘Vijay Diwas’. “The nation remembers with gratitude the selfless sacrifice made by our armed forces during the 1971 war. On Vijay Diwas, I pay homage to the bravehearts who displayed unparalleled courage and achieved historic victory,” Ms. Murmu said in a post on X.
At the National War Memorial, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, CDS Gen Anil Chauhan, Army Chief Gen Manoj Pande, IAF Vice Chief Air Marshal Amar Preet Singh, and Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar paid their respects to the fallen soldiers.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah also paid tributes. In a post on ‘X,’ Mallikarjun Kharge said, “We bow to the indomitable courage, valour and determination of our Armed Forces and Mukti Bahini.” “The geography of the world changed today in 1971, as our brave Indian Armed Forces defeated Pakistan and liberated Bangladesh. It was a momentous occasion for humanity, under the dynamic and decisive leadership of Indira Gandhi. We bow to the indomitable courage, valour and determination of our Armed Forces and Mukti Bahini,” Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said.
Meanwhile, Siddaramaiah honoured the fallen soldiers in a ceremony in Bengaluru.
India’s decisive win over Pakistan led to the birth of Bangladesh. Vijay Diwas is observed annually to commemorate the victory, with Pakistan’s military surrendering to Indian forces.
