1971 War: Several other dignitaries will be present at the event (file)
New Delhi:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defense Minister Rajnath Singh will attend the center’s opening event on Wednesday “Swarnim Vijay Varsh” Program celebrating 50 years of India’s victory over Pakistan in the 1971 war that led to the creation of Bangladesh.
The event will take place on Wednesday at the National War Memorial (NWM) in New Delhi, the government said in a statement.
In this event, PM Modi, the Chief of Staff of Defense, General Bipin Rawat and the Tri-Service Chiefs will lay wreaths and pay tribute to the soldiers who sacrificed their lives in the service.
PM Modi will also light the ‘Swarnim Vijay Mashaal’ from the monument’s Eternal Flame. Four torches are lit and brought to the towns and villages of the 1971 war heroes who received the gallantry awards – Param Vir Chakra and MahaVir Chakra.
“Soil from the villages of these award winners and from areas where major battles were fought in 1971 will be brought to the NWM,” the government statement said.
Various memorial events are held across India congratulating war veterans and Veer Naris and organizing events such as band exhibitions, seminars, exhibitions, equipment exhibitions, film festivals, conclave and adventure activities.
Several other dignitaries will also be present at the event.
In December 1971, the Indian armed forces secured a decisive and historic victory over the Pakistani army, which led to the establishment of Bangladesh and also led to the greatest military surrender since World War II.