NewDelhi December 16 :Prime Minister Narendra Modi will light up ‘Swarnim Vijay Mashaal’and begin 50th anniversary celebrations of 1971 Indo-Pakistan War on Wednesday. As the country rejoices the decisive victory over the Pakistan Army, the celebrations have been earmarked as ‘Swarnim Vijay Varsh’. Various commemorative events are planned across the country.
The inaugural event will be held at the National War Memorial (NWM) in the national capital. The programme will be attended by PM Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
“In December 1971, the Indian Armed Forces secured a decisive and historic Victory over Pakistan Army, which led to creation of a Nation – Bangladesh and also resulted in the largest Military Surrender after the World War – II. From 16 December, the Nation will be celebrating 50 Years of Indo-Pak War, also called ‘Swarnim Vijay Varsh’.
Various commemorative events are planned across the Nation,” the government said in its release.
The event will also be attended by Chief of Defence Staff Bipin Rawat, Indian Army Chief Manoj Mukund Naravane, Indian Navy Chief Admiral Karambir Singh and Indian Air Force Chief Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria.
The prime minister, chief of defence staff and Tri-Service chiefs will lay wreath and pay homage to the fallen soldiers.
PM Modi will light up the ‘Swarnim Vijay Mashaal’ from the eternal flame of NWM on the occasion. Four Victory Mashaals (flames) will be lit from the Eternal Flame of NWM. These ‘mashaals’ will be carried to various parts of the country including to villages of Param Vir Chakra and MahaVir Chakra Awardees of 1971 War. Soil from the villages of these Awardees and from areas where major battles were fought in 1971 are being brought to the NWM.
Various commemorative events will be conducted pan-India wherein war veterans and ‘veer naris’ will be felicitated and events like band displays, seminars, exhibitions, equipment displays, film festivals, conclave and adventure activities are planned.
MoS Defence Shripad Yesso Naik and other senior civil and military officials of the ministry of defence will also be present on the occasion.