Nation paid homage on Vijay Diwas today to its valiant heroes who made the supreme sacrifice in the 1971 war with Pakistan. The day marks India’s victory in the 13-day war with Pakistan, that resulted in the Liberation of Bangladesh. In the national capital, Defence Minister A K Antony led the nation in remembering the war heroes along with the three Service Chiefs. Wreaths were laid at the Amar Jawan Jyothi at the India Gate in New Delhi and a two-minute silence was observed to mark the solemn occasion.
Meanwhile, the Defence Minister A K Antony told newsmen that the government will take up Captain Saurabh Kalia's case with Pakistan. He made the statement after paying tribute to the martyrs of 1971 wars.
The Defence minister said India Gate is the right place to build a national war memorial. He also said a Group of Ministers set up by Prime Minister and the three Services chiefs have agreed to set up the war memorial at the India Gate.
AIR correspondent reports, the armed forces have been demanding a war memorial in the national capital to honour soldiers who made supreme sacrifice for the country.
Bangladesh is celebrating the 42nd Victory Day today to mark the historic triumph of the Indian army and Mukti Bahini over the Pakistan armed forces on December 16th 1971. It was on this day in 1971 that the Pakistan Army General AAK Niazi along with 93,000 soldiers surrendered unconditionally to Lt. General Jagjit Singh Aurora of the Indian army at the historic Race Course Maidan now called Suharawady Udayan in Dhaka. Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina led the nation in paying tributes to the martyrs of the Liberation War by placing wreaths at the National Memorial at Savar early in the morning. Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina also later took salute at the Victory Day parade at the National Parade Square as President Zillur Rahman had to leave for London to undergo medical treatment. Traditionally, the Bangladesh President takes salute at the Victory Day parade. Contingents of Freedom fighters, army, navy, air force and different paramilitary and police forces of Bangladesh participated in the parade. In his statement issued on the occasion of Victory Day, Bangladesh President Zillur Rehman called upon the people of the country, irrespective of their party affiliations to work together to transform Bangladesh into a middle income country by 2021. In her statement issued on the occasion of Victory day, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said the government is committed to holding the trial of war criminals and urged the people to resist the conspiracy of the Jamaat -Shibir cohorts to undermine the rule of law, human rights and democracy in their bid to obstruct the trial. Political parties and socio-cultural organisations are organizing a variety of programmes throughout the day in different parts of the country to celebrate Victory Day.
