Vijay Diwas is annually observed across India and Bangladesh on December 16th to commemorate the victory of Indian armed forces against Pakistan in the 1971 Indo Pak War, also known as the 1971 Liberation War.
The day also pays homage to the soldiers who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty to the nation.
- 16th December 2021 marks the celebration of the 50th Vijay Diwas (Swarnim Vijay Diwas), the Golden Jubilee of the 1971 Liberation War.
- The year 2021 was celebrated as the Swarnim Vijay Varsh to mark the 50th anniversary of India’s victory over Pakistan.
Bangladesh:
Bangladesh celebrates the 16th December as ‘Bijoy Dibos’ (Day of Victory) to mark its formal independence from Pakistan.
- Ram Nath Kovind, The President of India participated in the events of Bangladesh’s 50th Victory Day celebration at Dhaka, Bangladesh as a Guest of honour.
History of 1971 Liberation War:
i.The India Pakistan war of 1971 was the outcome of the liberation war of East Pakistan.
ii.The war which started on 3rd December 1971 came to an end after 13 days on 16th December 1971.
iii.Amir Abdullah Khan Niazi, Army general of Pakistan along with his 93,000 Pakistani troops surrendered before the Indian Army and Mukti-Bahini led by Lieutenant General Jagit Singh Aurora.
iv.The Eastern Command of the Pakistan military signed the instrument of surrender on 16 December 1971 in Dhaka, East Pakistan (now Bangladesh).
v.The war resulted in the creation of Bangladesh and the signing of the Simla Agreement with Pakistan on Kashmir.
Note:
This was the biggest ever military surrender after World War II.
Swarnim Vijay Varsh:
i.The “Swarnim Vijay Varsh” celebrations were launched by Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi on 16th December 2020, 49th Vijay Diwas, at National War Memorial(NWM), Delhi.
PM Modi lit the ‘Swarnim Vijay Mashaal’ at the NWM to celebrate the ‘Swarnim Vijay Varsh’. ii.The 4 Victory Mashaals were carried to various parts of India including the villages of Param Vir Chakra and Maha Vir Chakra awardees of the 1971 war.
iii.The flames have traversed across India including Siachen, Kanyakumari, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Longewala, Rann of Kutch, Agartala.
iv.During the closing ceremony, the 4 flames will be merged by PM Modi at the Eternal Flames at the NWM.
Swarnim Vijay Parv:
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated the ‘Swarnim Vijay Parv’ which was celebrated on 12th & 13th December 2021 to commemorate 50 years of India’s historic victory in the 1971 war and the Indo-Bangladesh friendship.
- Major weapons and equipment used during the 1971 war were displayed along with the snippets of major battles.
Launch of Commemorative stamp:
On the occasion of the Swarnim Vijay Diwas, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh issued the commemorative stamp, ‘Swarnim Vijay Varsh’ stamp, at the National War Memorial, New Delhi.
- The stamp carries the ‘Swarnim Vijay Varsh’ logo, designed by Lieutenant Commander Kushal Chandrashekhar of the Indian Navy, as its centrepiece.
- The stamp also commemorates the espirit de corps and spirit of jointmanship displayed by the Indian Armed Forces as well as the Indo-Bangla Forces.
Events:
As a part of the Vijay Diwas 2021, The Films Division of India also referred to as Films Division, under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has screened 4 documentaries (Nine Months to Freedom; Vijay Diwas; Dateline Bangladesh; & India Pakistan Conflict -1971) highlighting the gallantry and achievement of the Indian armed forces.
Additional info:
On the occasion of the 50th Vijay Diwas, General Bhopinder Singh released the book titled ‘War in the East, Liberation of Bangladesh 1971’ authored by Colonel Ranbir Singh VrC(retd) in Chandigarh, in the presence of army veterans who participated in the 1971 war.
