Vijay Diwas is celebrated in India every year on 16th December. This day marks the military victory of India over Pakistan in Indo-Pak War of 1971. India were the alliance of Bangladesh Mukti Bahini, who wanted a secession of East Pakistan into Bangladesh. On this day in 1971, the chief of the Pakistani forces, General Amir Abdullah Khan Niazi, along with 93,000 troops, surrendered to the allied forces consists of Indian Army and Mukti Bahini, led by General Jagjit Singh Aurora, of India in the Ramna Race Course, now Suhrawardy Udyan, in Dhaka after their defeat in the war. Every Year this day is celebrated all over India by paying tribute to the martyrs of this war. In New Delhi, the Defence Minister along with the heads of the three wings, Army, Navy and Air Force pay homage at Amar Jawan Jyoti, near India Gate. The citizens are expected to recall the selfless sacrifice of the martyrs and remember them.
The war of 1971 is one of the biggest war’s India have fought. The forces of India were engaged from both eastern and western front. This war is also known as the Bangladesh Liberation War as the Liberation East Pakistan and its secession into Bangladesh was the major objective of the war. Many lives were lost in the war, including that of several civilians of Bangladesh. Pakistan had to surrender and thus there were huge number of prisoners of war captured by India. India Launched several attacks, including those from Navy and Air Force. The Pakistani forces are said to have suffered several losses in terms of both equipment and men. The famous battle of Longewala and operation Python and Trident were a part of this war only. India proved to be supreme in all fields, with the able support of Bangladesh Mukti Bahini.
There were many brave soldiers who laid their lives in the course of the war. Four Indian military personnel’s got the highest gallantry award of India, the Param Vir Chakra. Three of them, Lance Naik Albert Ekka, Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal and Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon , received the award posthumously and the fourth person to receive it was Major Hoshiar Singh. Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Sekhon remains the first Indian Air Force personnel to have ever received this highest gallantry award.
Let us take a moment out of busy lives to commemorate those heroes, who selflessly laid their lives for us. Of course whatever we do can never match up to what they did for us. Such are the brave hearts who think about the country before self. If you’ll read up about the war or about the war heroes you are sure to get some goose bumps.
I am Tashi, basically from Varanasi, currently pursuing my Masters in Computer Science from Christ University, Bangalore. I am interested in reading and football. It has always been my dream to join the forces,so here I am to share my experience with all the aspiring faujis. Remember with determination you’ll be triumphant!
Tashi Mishra, Editorial Team
