In a stirring tribute on Vijay Diwas, Prime Minister Narendra Modi saluted the brave heroes of the 1971 war, whose sacrifices led to a decisive victory for India. Their unwavering spirit and dedication, he said, are etched in the nation’s history and the hearts of its people.
“Today, on Vijay Diwas, we pay heartfelt tributes to all the brave heroes who dutifully served India in 1971, ensuring a decisive victory. 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. India salutes their courage and remembers their indomitable spirit,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a post on ‘X’.
Today, on Vijay Diwas, we pay heartfelt tributes to all the brave heroes who dutifully served India in 1971, ensuring a decisive victory. Their valour and dedication remain a source of immense pride for the nation. Their sacrifices and unwavering spirit will forever be etched in…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 16, 2023
Meanwhile in a post on ‘X’ the Indian Army said, “December 16 marks the Historic Victory of Indian Armed Forces over Pakistan in the India Pakistan War of 1971. On this day, let us salute the courage & fortitude displayed by the Indian Armed Forces.”
#VijayDiwas#16December marks the Historic Victory of #IndianArmedForces over Pakistan in the India Pakistan War of 1971.
On this day, let us salute the courage & fortitude displayed by the #IndianArmedForces.#IndianArmy pic.twitter.com/ZMdYn6owNE
— ADG PI – INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) December 16, 2023
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami congratulated the Indian Army, ex-servicemen and people of the state on the eve of Vijay Diwas. Hailing the valour of the soldiers, Chief Minister Dhami said “16th December is a historic day in the military history of India to remember the courage, dedication and sacrifice of the Indian Armed Forces. On this day, thousands of soldiers of the Pakistani Army had to surrender before the courage and bravery of the Indian soldiers.”
“Our brave soldiers always contribute with readiness to protect the country, of which we are proud”, Dhami said.
आज का दिन भारत और पाकिस्तान के बीच हुए युद्ध में भारतीय सेना की जयघोष का है। वर्ष 1971 में आज ही के दिन माँ भारती के वीर सपूतों की वीरता के समक्ष लगभग 93 हजार सशस्त्र पाकिस्तानी सैनिकों ने आत्मसमर्पण किया।#VijayDiwas2023 pic.twitter.com/M3f16KawL4
— Pushkar Singh Dhami (@pushkardhami) December 16, 2023
“Uttarakhand is not only the land of gods but also the land of heroes. There has always been a feeling of patriotism and dedication towards the nation. The supreme sacrifice made by the brave soldiers to protect the country’s borders will always be remembered,” he added.
LIVE: देहरादून में विजय दिवस के अवसर पर आयोजित 'श्रद्धांजलि समारोह' कार्यक्रम में प्रतिभाग #VijayDiwas
https://t.co/yWrCkClpf5— Pushkar Singh Dhami (@pushkardhami) December 16, 2023
President Droupadi Murmu attended ‘At Home’ reception at Army House in New Delhi on December 15. Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Rakasha Mantri Rajnath Singh, Minister of State for Defence Ajay Bhatt, Army Chief General Manoj Pande, Navy Chief Admiral R Harikumar were also a part of the event.
President Droupadi Murmu attended 'At Home' reception at Army House on the eve of Vijay Diwas. pic.twitter.com/mVlnUfQAyA
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) December 15, 2023
On the occasion of Vijay Diwas, a series of commemorative events were held across India. 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.
MoS Defence Ajay Bhatt also paid tribute to the fallen soldiers at the National War Memorial on the occasion of Vijay Diwas.
In Jammu and Kashmir’s , Major Gen Gaurav Gautam, GOC TIGER Division, paid respect to the fallen soldiers at the Balidan Stambh. He expressed his deep respect for the soldiers who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty, stating, “I salute the sacrifice of our soldiers.”
Meanwhile, Lt Gen RP Kalita, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C) of Eastern Command, also paid respect to the fallen soldiers by laying a wreath at Vijay Smarak at Eastern Command Army HQ, Kolkata, on the occasion of Vijay Diwas.
Vijay Diwas is celebrated on December 16 to commemorate India’s victory over Pakistan in the 1971 war. December 16, 1971, was the day when Pakistan signed the instrument of surrender in Dhaka, following a 13-day India-Pakistan War. With the surrender of over 93,000 soldiers, the Pakistan Army’s capitulation against Indian forces was complete. Following this decisive victory, India announced itself as a major regional force.
Pakistan and the creation of Bangladesh was a devastating event for West Pakistan, the aftershocks of which continue to this day. Along with the physical fall of Dacca, Pakistan was also defeated psychologically. The two-nation theory, that Muslims of the subcontinent formed a nation, was demolished. Pakistan is still searching for a rationale for the dismemberment. For India, this battle is considered a historical occurrence. Because of this, December 16 is commemorated nationwide as “Vijay Diwas” to honour India’s triumph over Pakistan. According to reports, 3,900 Indian soldiers are believed to have died and 9,851 have been injured during the Battle of 1971.
(with inputs from ANI)
