On the occasion of Vijay Diwas, India and Bangladesh commemorated the victory of the Indian Armed Forces in the Indo-Pakistan war of 1971. Officers from the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force paid their respects at the Army Headquarters Eastern Command in Kolkata, along with their counterparts from the Bangladesh Army. To celebrate this joint victory, eight Indian war veterans and two serving officers have arrived in Dhaka while eight Bangladeshi freedom fighters and two serving officers are in Kolkata to participate in the annual exchange of war veterans and attend the Vijay Diwas celebrations.
On December 16, India celebrates Vijay Diwas to honour the 1971 Indo-Pak war and pay tribute to the soldiers who fought for the nation's victory. The conflict was a response to Pakistan's genocide in East Pakistan and saw brave Indian soldiers sacrificing their lives for the cause of independence. With remarkable displays of strength and strategy, India emerged victorious and this day serves as a reminder of the resilience and courage of the Indian armed forces.
On this Vijay Diwas, President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh honored the brave soldiers who fought in the 1971 war, securing a historic victory for India and leading to the creation of Bangladesh. Their sacrifices and unyielding spirit continue to inspire generations and serve as a source of national pride. As the nation remembers and pays homage to the fallen heroes, political leaders reaffirmed the unwavering courage and dedication of India's armed forces.
Vijay Diwas is an annual celebration commemorating India's victory over Pakistan in the 1971 war, which led to the liberation of Bangladesh. The war began on December 3 and ended on December 16, with the surrender of Pakistani General Amir Abdullah Khan Niazi to the combined forces of India and Bangladesh's Mukti Bahini. This victory not only established India as a regional power but also resulted in the birth of Bangladesh. As the country celebrates this historic day, the sacrifices and bravery of the Indian armed forces are honored.
On the occasion of 25th Kargil Vijay Diwas, former Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal shared an emotional memory from his visit to the battlezone with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 1999. As they distributed essential supplies to wounded soldiers in the hospital, they encountered a soldier who had lost both hands and legs in a mine blast. The soldier's response, stating that the pain had gone since the Indian forces won back Tiger Hill, moved both leaders and showcased the victorious spirit of the Indian soldiers. This experience remains a profound memory for Dhumal, encapsulating PM Modi's mission of hope, solidarity, and tribute to the Indian armed forces.
On Friday, Rashtrapati Nilayam in Hyderabad celebrated Kargil Vijay Diwas, marking 25 years since India's success in the Kargil War. The event was attended by over 6,800 students, NCC, and NSS cadets, with special guests Major General Akhilesh Kumar and Air Commodore Pankaj Jain, who discussed the resilience demonstrated by the Indian Armed Forces during the war and urged students to consider joining the Armed Forces as a career. The program also included various activities such as a human chain formation, a tribute wall, and a rangoli competition, followed by a screening of a documentary on martyrs.
On the 25th anniversary of the Kargil Vijay Diwas, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to the martyrs of the Kargil War at the Kargil War Memorial in Dras. In the midst of heightened tensions with neighboring Pakistan, the PM's visit serves as a reminder of India's success in the Kargil War and its commitment to honor the sacrifices of its soldiers. Meanwhile, in a separate incident, a high alert has been sounded in Pathankot after suspicious individuals were spotted in the area, leading to the closure of Army schools as a precautionary measure.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge criticized PM Modi for politicizing a sensitive issue like national security on the occasion of Kargil Vijay Diwas. Kharge accused the PM of spreading lies and going against the wishes of the Army by forcibly implementing the 'Agnipath' scheme for all three Armed Forces. He also pointed out that former Army Chief General MM Naravane had said that only 25% of recruits were to be let go after 4 years under the scheme, but the Modi government did the opposite.
On the 25th anniversary of the Kargil Vijay Diwas, top Bollywood stars including Akshay Kumar, Anupam Kher, and Rakul Preet Singh honored the brave soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the country's honor. Akshay Kumar shared a heartfelt message on social media while Anupam Kher released a video expressing his respect and gratitude to the Indian Army and the martyred soldiers. The post was captioned "Long live the Indian Army #25yearsofkargilvijay," showing support for the nation's military and commemorating the courage and sacrifice of the soldiers during the Kargil war.
During his address on Kargil Vijay Diwas, Prime Minister Narendra Modi defended the Agnipath scheme as a necessary reform for keeping the armed forces young and fit for war. He refuted accusations that the scheme was launched to save pension money and criticized the opposition for politicizing a sensitive issue related to national security. Modi stated that the issue of making the armed forces younger has been discussed in Parliament and committees for years but the will to resolve it was not shown earlier.