As Prime Minister Narendra Modi gets ready to travel to Bangladesh on a historic two-day visit starting Friday, the Swarnim Vijay Mashaal, or the victory flame, lit by him last December symbolising India's decisive and historic triumph over the Pakistan army in December 1971 which led to the creation of Bangladesh, continues its travel across the length and breadth of the country, visiting homes of several war veterans and Veer Naris.
PM Modi's visit to Dhaka in connection with the commemoration of three epochal events – Mujib Borsho, the birth centenary of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman; 50 years of the establishment of diplomatic ties between India and Bangladesh; and 50 years of Bangladesh’s War of Liberation – will also add another glorious chapter in the 'maitri' (friendship) between Bangladesh and India.
However, the Swarnim Vijay Mashaal lit from the Eternal Flame at the National War Memorial in New Delhi on December 16, is already rekindling proud memories in hundreds of families who have now become an integral part of celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of the 1971 India-Pakistan war, also called ‘Swarnim Vijay Varsh’. The war also resulted in the largest military surrender after the World War–II.
The four victory mashaals lit from the Eternal Flame of NWM have been carried to various parts of the country including to villages of Param Vir Chakra and Maha Vir Chakra awardees of 1971 War over the past three months.
Various commemorative events are being conducted pan-India wherein war veterans and veer naris are being felicitated.
On Tuesday, the victory flame reached the headquarters of the Southern Naval Command in Kochi after travelling nearly 2500 kms.
Earlier, it was taken to Kannur where a wreath laying ceremony was organised at war memorial with several war veterans in attendance.
In Coimbatore, the flame was received at Air Force College and School by IAF veterans AVM N Natrajan and AVM (Dr) N Vijya Kumar. Documentary on the stellar contribution by IAF during 1971 war against Pakistan was telecast. In another event organised at Coimbatore's PSG College of Medical Science, Commodore Ashok Rai and Air Commodore Rajnish Verma and Col Piyush Katal received the victory flame. Felicitation of 90 war veterans was also organised as a mark of tribute and to honour their supreme sacrifices for the nation during the 1971 war.
In Wellington, Ooty, a ceremony was held at Madras Regimental Centre War Memorial with wreaths being laid by Lt Gen MJS Kahlon and Brig Rajeshwar Singh along with other veterans.
In Bengaluru, the victory flame reached Pioneer Corps Training Centre and was received by veteran Col RG Nayar. It was also taken to the residence of 1971 Indo-Pak war hero, late Cdr JPA Noronha, MVC, where his wife TBM Noronha was felicitated and honoured. INS Panvel caused extensive damage to enemy shore defences under the dynamic leadership of late Cdr Noronha.
Victory flame was then taken to residence of 1971 Indo-Pak war hero Cdr RR Sood (Retd), VrC, NM in Bengaluru. He commanded a ship in anti-submarine role and compelled the enemy submarine to retreat.
In Tarn Taran district of Punjab, the flame was received by the gallant heroes of the 1971 war veterans.
The veterans and veer naris were also honoured when the flame reached Mehdipur in Khemkaran Sector.
Earlier this month, the Swarnim Vijay Mashaal was taken to Pul Moran which witnessed the historic battle of Pulkanjari. Veer Naris, ex-servicemen, gallantry awardees and family of Lance Naik Shanghara Singh, MVC martyred in the battle, were felicitated.
At the sacred town of Dera Baba Nanak in Gurdaspur district of Punjab, the Indian Army felicitated veterans, veer naris and families of martyrs of the 1971 War.
In Amritsar's Burj-Fatehpur, a wreath laying ceremony was organised at the war memorial to pay homage to the 1971 war heroes.
Meanwhile, the Swarnim Vijay Mashaal was received at Barrackpore last weekend and will remain there till March 26. It will be then taken to the villages of veterans.
In Kolkata, the flame was hosted on board Eastern Fleet ship INS Airavat and INS Kora.
At Panagarh, Lt Gen Savneet Singh, GOC, Brahmastra Corps, accorded a grand welcome to the victory flame and felicitated veer naris and veterans of the 1971 War.
Moist eyes, swollen hearts and heads held high were witnessed when the flame reached the native village of Lnk Drigpal Singh, MVC(P) in Naugma, Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh.
In Chennai, the 'Swarnim Vijay Varsh’ flame was taken to the residence of Air Vice Marshal Jagbir Singh, Vir Chakra (Retd), for paying respect by the esteemed war veteran.
As a mark of tribute to the bravehearts of India, soil from the native places of war veterans is also being collected and brought back to the national War Memorial.
