President Ram Nath Kovind, who is on a three-day visit to Bangladesh to attend the country’s 50th Victory Day celebrations, presented a replica of the 1971-era MiG 21 aircraft to his counterpart Abdul Hamid
One of the pictures from the Bangladesh Liberation War shared by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. Image Courtesy: @rajnathsingh/Twitter
Vijay Diwas is celebrated on 16 December to mark India’s victory over Pakistan in the 1971 war. This 13-day-long war led to the liberation of East Pakistan and the formation of Bangladesh. Vijay Diwas is also known as Bangladesh Liberation Day and Bijoy Dibos. This year marks the 50st anniversary of Vijay Diwas.
On this special day, people pay homage to the brave soldiers who lost their lives while fighting for the country. Leaders from across the political spectrum took to social media to pay their tribute to the brave soldiers who laid down their lives for the country.
President Ram Nath Kovind, who is on a three-day visit to Bangladesh from 15-17 December to attend the country’s 50th Victory Day celebrations as a guest of honour, presented a replica of the 1971-era MiG-21 aircraft to his counterpart Abdul Hamid to commemorate the joint sacrifices made by the armed forces of India and Bangladesh during the 1971 liberation war.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in the homage and reception ceremony of ‘Swarnim Vijay Mashaals’ at the National War Memorial where he also laid a wreath at the war memorial. Earlier he tweeted:
Home Minister Amit Shah tweeted in Hindi. He stated, “I bow to the brave soldiers on the golden jubilee of ‘Vijay Diwas’, a symbol of amazing courage and valor of Indian soldiers. On this day in 1971, the Indian Army had added a golden chapter in the history of the tradition of preserving human values by defeating the enemies”:
On the occasion Defence Minister Rajnath Singh issued a commemorative stamp. He tweeted a few old pictures as well:
BJP president JP Nadda tweeted in Hindi as well. He wrote, “On this day in 1971, the brave sons of Mother India, shattered the plans of Pakistan and won a historic victory over it. On this day being celebrated as Vijay Diwas, I bow to all the brave soldiers, and those who sacrificed their lives and their families and extend many best wishes to the countrymen”:
Ministry of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari tweeted, ” On 16 December 1971, in front of the bravery and valour of the Indian Army, the Pakistan Army surrendered and Bangladesh got independence. Hearty congratulations to all the countrymen on this ‘Victory Day’. Salute to the brave Indian soldiers dedicated to the service of the nation. #VijayDiwas“:
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi too took to Twitter to wish the people of the two countries on Vijay Diwas :
All India Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee tweeted:
History
On 16 December 1971, around 4.30 pm, the then Lieutenant General Jagjit Singh Aurora arrived at Dhaka airport. He and the then Major-General in the Pakistan Army, Amir Abdullah Khan Niazi, discussed and executed the surrender paperwork together.
Niazi surrendered to the joint forces of the Indian Army and Bangladesh’s Mukti Bahini after fighting for 13 days. The war started on 3 December and ended on 16 December with the surrender of the Pakistan army. Along with Niazi, 93,000 Pakistani troops also surrendered to the Indian Army. He then signed the ‘Instrument of Surrender’ at Ramna Race Course in Dacca (now Dhaka, capital of Bangladesh).
The ‘Instrument of Surrender’ was accepted and signed by Lieutenant General Aurora.
Significance
After this war, Bangladesh was formed. Every year at India Gate in New Delhi, the defence minister as well as the heads of all three wings of the Armed Forces pay homage to the soldiers at Amar Jawan Jyoti.
Below are a few quotes, wishes, and messages that you can send to your family and friends to pay respects to the brave Indian soldiers.
Vijay Diwas is a day to mark and remember the heroic efforts of the brave Indian soldiers.
Today, I pay my respect and tribute to the brave Indian soldiers who lost their lives for the country during the 1971 war.
On Vijay Diwas, let us come together and remember the losses of those brave soldiers who died in the line of duty. Jai Hind!
Vijay Diwas acknowledges and celebrates the valour of India’s soldiers. Happy Vijay Diwas!
Vijay Diwas is not a day to celebrate India’s victory, but to pay homage to the soldiers who died for our country.
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