Home minister to lead team of ‘Mukti Joddhas’ to Kolkata
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan will lead a delegation of 72 ``Mukti Joddhas`` and their families to Kolkata to participate in the 45th Victory day celebrations.
The Indian Army celebrates victory day every year on December 16 to commemorate its victory over Pakistan in 1971 that helped in the liberation of Bangladesh. The celebrations will start from Tuesday with a band concert at Prinsep Memorial in Kolkata. This will be open to all.
"A large number of Indian officers, JCOs and soldiers were martyred during the War. As many as 12,000 personnel were injured. At that cost we gave the people of Bangladesh their rightful place. Not only in the eastern theatre, we also defeated Pakistan in the west and captured nearly 15,000 square km. We returned the land later as in a sign of bonhomie. During the 1971 Indo-Pak War, the Indian Army won four theatre honours, four Param Vir Chakras (PVCs) and 56 Maha Vir Chakras (MVCs). One of the PVCs was won by Lance Naik Albert Ekka in the eastern front posthumously. His widow will participate in the ceremonies in Kolkata this year," said Indian Maj Gen R Nagraj, MGGS, Eastern Command.
On Wednesday, the Army and Indian Air Force (IAF) will put up a display of skydiving, slithering and other events at the RCGC grounds. This will also be open to all. On Friday, wreaths will be laid at Vijay Smarak to honour martyrs of the 1971 War.
"We are a peace loving nation and ours is a people`s army. We reach out to help people in need, even beyond the boundaries of the country. At the same time, we are prepared to face any threat, whether from Pakistan or any other nation," Maj Gen Nagraj said.
The visit of a senior functionary like Khan during the Vijay Diwas celebrations is a significant development. Particularly at a time when India is trying to reach out to neighbours to build up a support base against Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. In October this year, the Bangladesh home minister had made it clear that his country will stand behind India in case of an attack by Pakistan.
Meanwhile, chief of the army staff Gen Dalbir Singh concluded his visit to 58 Gorkha Training Centre in Happy Valley, Shillong, on Sunday. The reunion of the 58 GTC brought together serving and retired officers, JCOs and jawans. Gen Singh is president, Gorkha Brigade and colonel, 5 Gorkha Rifles (Frontier Force). While lauding the glorious history of 58 GTC, the Army chief stressed on total commitment and discipline in the armed forces. The general, who retires in 2017, also handed over the colonelcy of 5 GR (FF) to Lt Gen JS Sandhu.
Source: Times of India
