As part of 48th Vijay Diwas celebrations, commemorating the victory of Indian Forces and the Mukti Bahini over Pakistani Forces during the 1971 war, a memorial service for martyrs of 1971 War was held at Vijay Smarak at Fort William, Kolkata on 16 December 2019 which was presided by Lt Gen Anil Chauhan, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Eastern Command.
Vijay Diwas celebrations at Fort William, Eastern Command assume a special significance, as Mukti Jodhas and Indian war veterans who fought shoulder to shoulder, have been reuniting each year for the last thirteen years to celebrate this momentous occasion in history.
This year a 71- member delegation from Bangladesh comprising of Mukti Jodhas and serving officers from Bangladesh Defence Forces attended the events from 14 Dec onwards. The delegation was led by Mr Shahjahan Khan, Hon’ble Member of Parliament, Bangladesh.
The solemn ceremony began with religious invocations by priests of all faiths as is the norm of Indian Armed Forces. The air was filled with the melodious rendition of patriotic hymns and bhajans played by the Army band which wafted across the Vijay Smarak further adding to the ambience of the solemn occasion. Wreaths were laid by Veterans, members of the Bangladeshi delegation and by representatives of the three Services. As buglers sounded the ‘Last Post’ and ‘Rouse’, from the rampart behind the magnificent edifice of the War Memorial, the participants including school children and media personnel observed two minutes silence to pay homage to the martyrs of the 1971 war.
Lt Gen Anil Chauhan during his address to the media announced that Vijay Smarak will be open to general public on Sundays and Govt holidays for paying homage to our fallen soldiers.
