Kolkata, 16 December (H.S.) :

A solemn ceremony was held on Tuesday morning at Vijay Durg, the Eastern Command headquarters of the Indian Army in Kolkata, to pay tribute to the brave soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice during the 1971 India–Pakistan War. The programme was organised by the Eastern Command on the occasion of Vijay Diwas and was attended by senior military officers, veterans and civil officials from both India and Bangladesh.

West Bengal Governor Dr C V Ananda Bose, Mizoram Governor General Dr V K Singh (Retd), Eastern Army Commander Lieutenant General R C Tiwari, senior officers of the Indian Armed Forces, war veterans and a Bangladeshi delegation offered floral tributes to the martyrs who laid down their lives for the nation in 1971.

The Bangladeshi delegation included Mohammad Habibul Alam, Major Alik Kumar Gupta (Retd), Major Kamrul Abedin (Retd), Major Manish Deban (Retd), Major Mohammad Abdul Hakim (Retd), Brigadier General Mohammad Lutfur Rahman, Major Sher-E-Shahbaz and Brigadier General Mohammad Hafizur Rahman. Brigadier General Rahman led the delegation. Together, they honoured the Indian and Bangladeshi warriors who were martyred during the Liberation War of 1971.

Speaking on the occasion, V K Singh said December 16 marks a historic victory achieved jointly by the Indian Armed Forces and the Mukti Bahini of Bangladesh. He said the victory was not merely a military success but a triumph of courage, sacrifice and justice, and added that Bangladesh must always remember this shared history.

Governor Dr C V Ananda Bose said Vijay Diwas symbolises India’s decisive action against atrocities committed by Pakistan. He said the sacrifices made by soldiers from both countries must always be remembered and honoured, and the ceremony was dedicated to their legacy.

In a statement, the Eastern Command of the Indian Army said such joint commemorative and public outreach programmes further strengthen the bonds of brotherhood, mutual respect and friendship between India and Bangladesh. The Vijay Diwas observance once again revived memories of the shared struggle and historic friendship between the two nations.

It is noteworthy that a week-long series of events is organised at Vijay Durg every year to mark Vijay Diwas. The programme began on December 7 with a curtain raiser. On December 15, the Indian Army showcased its military strength at Kolkata’s historic Race Course Ground, where soldiers impressed the audience with displays of horse riding, skydiving, flypast and combat skills.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh