Guwahati: As part of Swarnim Vijay Varsh celebrations, the Swarnim Maitri football match was played between Brahmaputra Braves and North East Tigers, combined teams of Indian Army, Assam Rifles and players from famous football clubs like Shillong Lajong FC, Aizawl FC and Gokulam Kerala FC at Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium, Guwahati on Saturday (October 09). The event commemorates 50 years of the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War between India and Pakistan.
The activities witnessed by many citizens from the northeast states included an impressive flypast by Dhruv & Cheetah helicopters of Indian Air Force and Army Aviation, followed by an adventurous demonstration of slithering & skydiving by brave Army paratroopers. Army troops also performed the Khukuri Dance and Martial Arts of the North East. Other highlights of the event were the mesmerising Continuity Rifle Drill by IAF and combined Army and Air Force Bands who played iconic military tunes. The exhibition football match was played with zeal and enthusiasm, which resulted in a nail-biting finish in which the North East Tigers won the match by a final score of 3-1.
Later, Chief Guest Assam chief minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma felicitated Indian players who had recently won medals at Tokyo Paralympic Games. Chief Minister also felicitated Sub Tarundeep Rai, Vishisht Seva Medal, Olympic Archer and Havildar Sonam Rana, Paralympic Shot Put player from Indian Army who has done the Nation pride in the past.
The Chief Minister complimented all the participants for their splendid performance during the event and thanked the organising committee for their efforts in conducting such a spectacular show. He also complimented the Indian Armed Forces for bringing peace and prosperity to the state. Besides Chief Minister, Lieutenant General Manoj Pandey, AVSM, VSM, General Officer Commanding in Chief, Eastern Command, Mrs Deepa Malik, President Paralympic Committee of India and many other state administration and senior Army officers attended the event.
