The Indian Army's Northern Command commemorated Vijay Diwas, which marks India's victory over Pakistan in the 1971 war, with wreath-laying ceremonies led by General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Lt Gen M V Suchindra Kumar. The Tiger Division also held a ceremony at a war memorial in Jammu, while in Ladakh, the Army paid tribute to fallen soldiers at the 'Hall of Fame' with a solemn ceremony. The event served as a reminder of the sacrifices made by the Indian armed forces during the war, and a commitment to protect the sovereignty of the nation.
Vijay Diwas: Commemorating India's Victory in the 1971 War
Background
Vijay Diwas (Victory Day) is celebrated annually on December 16 in India to commemorate the country's decisive victory over Pakistan in the 1971 war. The war, which lasted just 13 days, resulted in the creation of Bangladesh as an independent nation.
The conflict began when Pakistan launched an offensive against India on December 3, 1971. Pakistan's intention was to quell a growing independence movement in its eastern wing, which later became Bangladesh. India, in support of the Bengali nationalists, responded with a full-scale military intervention against Pakistan.
The Indian Army, led by Chief of Army Staff General Sam Manekshaw, launched a swift and decisive campaign into East Pakistan. Within two weeks, Indian forces had liberated the region and captured over 93,000 Pakistani soldiers. On December 16, 1971, the Pakistani commander in East Pakistan, Lieutenant General A.A.K. Niazi, signed an instrument of surrender at the Ramna Race Course in Dhaka, marking India's victory in the war.
Commemoration
Every year, Vijay Diwas is celebrated across India with various events and ceremonies. Wreaths are laid at war memorials to pay tribute to the fallen soldiers. Gallantry awards are presented to soldiers who distinguished themselves during the war. Prime Minister and other dignitaries pay homage to the martyrs and address the nation on this occasion.
In 2022, the Northern Command of the Indian Army commemorated Vijay Diwas with wreath-laying ceremonies in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. The Tiger Division held a ceremony at a war memorial in Jammu, while in Ladakh, the Army paid tribute to fallen soldiers at the 'Hall of Fame' with a solemn ceremony.
Top 5 FAQs
1. What is the significance of Vijay Diwas? Vijay Diwas commemorates India's victory over Pakistan in the 1971 war and the creation of Bangladesh. It is a day to honor the sacrifices made by Indian soldiers and to reaffirm the country's commitment to protecting its sovereignty.
2. When and how did the 1971 war start? The war began on December 3, 1971, when Pakistan launched an offensive against India to suppress the independence movement in East Pakistan. India responded with a full-scale military intervention to support the Bengali nationalists.
3. How long did the 1971 war last? The war lasted only 13 days, ending with Pakistan's surrender on December 16, 1971.
4. What was the outcome of the 1971 war? India's victory in the war resulted in the creation of Bangladesh as an independent nation. India also gained control of over 93,000 Pakistani soldiers who were captured in East Pakistan.
5. How is Vijay Diwas celebrated today? Vijay Diwas is celebrated across India with various events and ceremonies, including wreath-laying ceremonies at war memorials, gallantry awards presentations, and speeches by dignitaries.
Over 2,500 Myanmar refugees who had fled to Mizoram's Champhai district due to violent clashes between two Chin armed groups have started making their way back home. The displacement began on July 5 and was a result of the CNDF launching an offensive on CDF-Hualngoram's camps in Chin State. Medical assistance and aid were provided by local organizations, and Mizoram's Chief Minister sent a political adviser to mediate peace. Most of the refugees have now returned to Myanmar, with the situation being closely monitored in the border region.
President Trump has announced a 30% tariff on EU exports, claiming it is necessary to eliminate the US trade deficit. The move has sparked backlash from leaders within the EU, causing further tensions in an already strained economic relationship. Despite Trump’s claims, experts warn that this could lead to further market instability and harm the US economy.
The President has nominated four individuals, including former foreign secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla and 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks case prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam, to the Rajya Sabha. The nomination comes after a notification issued by the Union Home Ministry late on Saturday night. The President is authorized to nominate 12 members to the Rajya Sabha, who are distinguished individuals in their respective fields.
The Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of Tibet, celebrated his 90th birthday with a special prayer ceremony at the Tsuglagkhang Temple in Dharamshala. In his address, he dismissed rumors about his health and potential successor, stating that he plans to live for another 30-40 years. He also reflected on his past and spoke about his mission to serve others, despite being in exile from his homeland. The event was attended by thousands of devotees, as well as prominent dignitaries like Union Minister Kiren Rijiju and Hollywood actor Richard Gere.
The aviation community was shaken by the recent preliminary report on the tragic crash of Air India Flight 171, which revealed intentional actions in the cockpit that led to the dual-engine failure and death of 260 people. The Indian pilots’ union, ALPA, has spoken out against the lack of transparency and exclusion of qualified personnel in the investigation, raising concerns about potential biases against the pilots. The union calls for a more inclusive and unbiased approach to the investigation to ensure justice for all those involved.
Following the release of the preliminary report by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) into the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad, both Air India and Boeing have stated their commitment to assisting in the ongoing investigation and offering support to the victims and their families. The report revealed that the aircraft's engine fuel control switches moved to the 'CUTOFF' position just three seconds after take-off, causing the crash that claimed the lives of 275 people. Air India expressed its solidarity with those affected and assured cooperation with authorities as the investigation continues.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrates the inclusion of the 'Maratha Military Landscapes' in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The 11 forts in Maharashtra and one in Tamil Nadu showcase the empire's legacy of good governance, military strength, cultural pride, and resistance to injustice. After a long and rigorous nomination process, the inscription of these forts adds to India's global standing as a cultural powerhouse.
The preliminary report from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) on the crash of Air India flight AI171 in Ahmedabad has revealed that a sudden fuel cutoff to both engines just seconds after takeoff led to the tragic incident that claimed 260 lives. The report states that the fuel control switches for both engines transitioned from "RUN" to "CUTOFF" at 1:38:42 pm, causing a complete loss of thrust. The report does not specify whether this was a deliberate or accidental action, leaving questions about the cause of the accident unanswered. The black box data and CCTV footage also confirmed that the aircraft experienced a total engine failure, leading to the deployment of an emergency power-generating device.
The preliminary report on the Air India flight AI171 crash provides crucial insight into the roles of the two pilots in the final moments before the fatal crash. The co-pilot, who was flying the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, had relatively limited experience on the aircraft, while the captain, in a supervisory role, was one of the most senior and experienced pilots in Air India's operations. These details shed light on the crew's actions during the critical take-off phase and their familiarity with the aircraft.
A month after the tragic crash of Flight AI171, a preliminary report by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has revealed a critical detail - both engine fuel switches were moved from 'RUN' to 'CUTOFF' seconds after takeoff. The cockpit voice recording captured a tense exchange between the pilots, with one asking why the engines were shut off. The report also confirms that fuel samples were satisfactory, but the cause of the crash is still under investigation.