President Ram Nath Kovind marks Bangladesh liberation in Dhaka, PM to lead 1971 war victory celebrations in Delhi

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, December 15

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will on Thursday lead the nation in commemorating 50 years of India’s victory over Pakistan in the 1971 war and the formation of Bangladesh even as President Ram Nath Kovind reached Dhaka today on his maiden three-day visit to mark the occasion.

1971 was Indira’s finest year: Sonia

Starting with massive mandate she got (in March) to remarkable victory in war leading to B’desh liberation, 1971 was Indira’s finest year. Sonia Gandhi, Congress president

Kovind assured the top Bangladesh leadership that the nation had a “special place” in India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy and underlined that the bilateral relationship based on sovereignty, equality, trust and understanding was mature enough to handle the “most complex of problems”.

The Prime Minister will participate in the homage and reception ceremony of ‘Swarnim Vijay Mashaal’, which he had lit on the same day last year from the ‘eternal flame’ at the National War Memorial here.

As part of the ‘Swarnim Vijay Varsh Celebrations’, PM Modi had also lit four flames that were carried in different directions across the length and breadth of the country, including Siachen, Kanyakumari, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Longewala, Rann of Kutch and Agartala.

The flames were taken to key battle areas and also to the houses of gallantry award winners and veterans of the 1971 war. At the homage ceremony tomorrow, these four flames will be merged by the Prime Minister with the ‘eternal flame’.

Various events were organised by the Indian Army at several locations in West Bengal and North-East states throughout the year and now a ‘Swarnim Vijay Gatha’ is being organised at Victoria Memorial, Kolkata, which would also mark the culmination of the ‘Swarnim Vijay Varsh’ celebrations. ‘Swarnim Vijay Gatha’ will showcase a variety of events to include a customised light and sound show on the walls of Victoria Memorial, depicting the story of the Bangladesh Liberation War.

President Kovind held talks with Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina in Dhaka on “issues of shared interest and reviewed progress relating to the bilateral cooperation between the two nations”, said the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

The President and Bangladesh PM also recalled the spirit of the 1971 Liberation War and expressed satisfaction at the joint celebrations of Maitri Diwas, said MEA.

Why no mention of Ex-PM Indira: Antony

Ex-Defence Minister AK Antony said after the 1971 victory, BJP leader AB Vajpayee had described Indira Gandhi as “Durga”. “We are celebrating the 50th year of Bangladesh liberation, but not once have I heard a sentence of praise from the PM about her role,” said Antony.

The significance

• On December 16, 1971, Indian armed forces had secured a decisive victory over Pakistan
• The victory resulted in the liberation of B’desh, the largest military surrender after WW-II
• The Indian armed forces along with Mukti Bahini liberated Bangladesh in 13 days

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