<span style="color: #222222;">Defence Minister Rajnath Singh felicitated over 300 war-veterans of the 1971 Liberation War of Bangladesh in Assam on Saturday. War veterans including women liberation war fighters, Veer Naris and their families attended the felicitation ceremony in Guwahati organised by the government of Assam. Bangladeshi war veteran of 1971 and Padma Shri recipient Lt. Col Quazi Sajjad Ali Zahir (Retd) was among those present.<br />''<br />''In his address Defence Minister Rajnath Singh described the veterans as important assets of the nation who are an inspiration to every Indian. Appreciating the Assam government for felicitating the veterans, Rajnath Singh  stated that the event reflected the sense of respect not only for the armed forces, but also for the country's democratic values.<br />''<br />''Speaking about the 1971 war, the Defence Minister said that it provided India with a strategic advantage as there has never been any tension on the Indo-Bangladesh border as seen on the western front because Bangladesh has always been India's friendly country.<br />''<br />''On the occasion, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also released a book 'The Bravehearts of 1971'. Assam Governor Prof Jagdish Mukhi and Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma were among those present during the felicitation ceremony.</span><br />