New Delhi, 16th December: Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to the fallen soldiers on Wednesday by lighting up the ‘Swarnim Vijay Mashaal’ at the National War Memorial in Delhi on the 50th-anniversary of the 1971 India-Pakistan war.
India celebrates December 16 as Vijay Diwas to commemorate its victory over Pakistan during the 1971 war that led to the creation of Bangladesh.
Likewise, the logo for ‘Swarnim Vijay Varsh’ was unveiled by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. PM Modi, Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat and the tri-service chiefs also laid wreaths to pay homage to the fallen soldiers.
Reportedly, the four victory mashaals that were lit from the eternal flame at the National War Memorial that will be carried to various parts of India, including to the villages of Param Vir Chakra and Maha Vir Chakra awardees of the 1971 war.
आज विजय दिवस के अवसर मैं भारतीय सेना के शौर्य एवं पराक्रम की परम्परा को नमन करता हूँ। मैं स्मरण करता हूँ उन जाँबाज़ सैनिकों की बहादुरी को जिन्होंने १९७१ के युद्ध में एक नई शौर्यगाथा लिखी। उनका त्याग और बलिदान सभी भारतीयों के लिए प्रेरणा का स्रोत है। यह देश उन्हें हमेशा याद रखेगा।
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) December 16, 2020
The Defence Minister took to Twitter and paid tributes to the Indian Army for its valour and sacrifices.