MILITARY

Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh inaugurates Swarnim Vijay Parv commemorating 50 years of India’s victory in 1971 war.

Pays tributes to the brave Indian soldiers who ensured victory in the war; says, the country will always be indebted to their sacrifice.

Key Highlights of RM’s speech:

• In the untimely death of General Bipin Rawat, India has lost a brave soldier, an able advisor & a lively person
• India has never invaded any country, nor has it ever captured an inch of someone else’s land
• Pakistan wants to disrupt peace in India by promoting terrorism & other anti-India activities; We have won in direct war & victory will be ours in indirect war as well
• More someone tries to divide us, the more united we become & face our enemies
• Our aim is to keep our Armed Forces ready for any eventuality

Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh inaugurated Swarnim Vijay Parv, an event commemorating the valour & professionalism of the Armed Forces and their contribution to the liberation of Bangladesh in the Indo-Pak 1971 war, at India Gate Lawns in New Delhi on December 12, 2021. The event marks the culmination of year-long celebrations of 50 years of India’s victory in the war. Shri Rajnath Singh began his address by paying rich tributes to the country’s first Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat who passed away in a helicopter crash in Tamil Nadu on December 08, 2021. “In the untimely death of General Rawat, India has lost a brave soldier, an able advisor and a lively person. He was looking forward to taking part in the Swarnim Vijay Parv,” he said.

The Raksha Mantri termed ‘Swarnim Vijay Parv’ as a festival which commemorates the glorious victory of the Indian Armed Forces in the 1971 war, which changed the history and geography of South Asia. He paid tributes to the brave Indian soldiers, sailors & air warriors and their families who ensured the victory in the 1971 war, saying that the country will always be indebted to their sacrifice. “This festival is a testament to the fact that the memories of 1971 are still fresh in the heart of every Indian. At the same time, it is a symbol of the zeal, passion and valour our forces displayed during the 1971 war. It inspires us to keep moving forward on the path of Nation’s progress with same zeal and passion,” he added.

Shri Rajnath Singh described the 1971 war victory as an epitome of the spirit of humanity & universal brotherhood of Indians who live in a country, which considers the whole earth as its family and has always stood for truth & justice. He stated that the victory in the 1971 war was the triumph of humanity over inhumanity, virtue over misconduct and justice over injustice. He cited the statement by Martin Luther King Jr. in a famous New York speech, ‘Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere’. Shri Rajnath Singh said, the atrocities on the people of then East Pakistan was a threat to the entire humanity and it was India’s responsibility to liberate them of that injustice and exploitation.

Shri Rajnath Singh remembered the determination, coordination and valour of the Indian Armed Forces during the war. “Our Armed Forces supported ‘Muktivahini’, helped lakhs of refugees and prevented any kind of aggression from western & northern sector. They ensured that the credibility of India’s commitment towards peace, justice and humanity in the world community is maintained,” he added.

The Raksha Mantri said, the 1971 war is a classic example of India’s morals and democratic traditions. “It will be rarely seen in history that after defeating another country in a war, a country does not impose its dominance, but hands over power to its political representative. India did this, because it is a part of our culture. India has never invaded any country, nor has it ever captured an inch of land of any other country,” he said. Shri Rajnath Singh recalled India’s contribution in the establishment of democracy in Bangladesh and appreciated the fact that it has progressed rapidly on the path of development in the last 50 years, which is an inspiration for the world.

Shri Rajnath Singh added that India has a history of fighting wars against barbarism, inhumanity and irresponsible powers – from the era of Ramayana, Mahabharata to wars of 1857, 1947, 1965, 1971 and 1999 Kargil war. He recalled that most of the military operations in India’s history have been named ‘Operation Vijay’ – from recapturing of Jhangar by Brigadier Usman in 1948 and liberation of Goa, Daman & Diu in 1961 to the glorious victory in 1999 Kargil war which is celebrated as ‘Kargil Vijay Divas’. He said, the Swarnim Vijay Parv is not just about any special operation, but a celebration of the spirit of victory of the Armed Forces and the country as a whole.

The Raksha Mantri termed the 1971 war as among the most decisive wars in the world after the two World Wars in the 20th century. “This war tells us that the partition of India on the basis of religion was a historic mistake. Pakistan was born in the name of one religion but it could not remain one. After the defeat of 1971, it is continuously fighting a proxy war. Pakistan wants to disrupt peace in India by promoting terrorism and other anti-India activities. The Indian forces had foiled their plans in 1971 and work to eliminate terrorism from its root is in underway. We have won in a direct war and the victory will be ours in indirect war as well,” he added.

Shri Rajnath Singh added “the anti-India feeling in Pakistan can be seen from the fact that they name their missiles after invaders who attacked India – Ghori, Ghaznavi, Abdali, whereas India’s missiles are named Akash, Prithvi, Agni. Now one of our missiles has also been named Sant”. He congratulated Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) for the successful flight test of indigenously designed and developed helicopter-launched Stand-off Anti-tank (SANT) Missile from Pokhran ranges on December 11, 2021.

The Raksha Mantri described the 1971 war as a shining example of jointness and integration among the three Services, underlining the importance of planning, training and fighting together. He said, the Government is leaving no stone unturned to strengthen the Armed Forces. “The creation of the post of Chief of Defence Staff and Department of Military Affairs are some of the reforms that will cater to the future needs of the Armed Forces. From procurement to production, all efforts are being made to make the forces more capable, efficient and self-reliant. Private sector participation is being promoted in defence research, development and manufacturing. Through the Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan, efforts are being made to promote self-reliance in the defence sector. Our aim is to keep our Armed Forces ready for any eventuality,” he said. Recalling the liberation of Goa in 1961, the Raksha Mantri said, “the struggle was a witness to the fact that the more someone tries to divide us, the more united we become and face our enemies.”

Video messages by Bangladesh Minister for Liberation War Affairs Shri Mozammel Haque and Mukti Jodhas were showcased during the event. It was followed by the unveiling of Wall of Fame and a drive through to the major weapons and equipment used during the 1971 war.

Cultural events such as Kalaripayattu, Gatka and Khukri dance performances in addition to Light and Sound show, dog show, hot air ballooning have been planned over the span of the next two days. War movies and a grand battle exhibition depicting major operations on the Eastern and Western Front of 1971 war will also be displayed. Four of the most spectacular operations will be reconstructed as battle exhibitions displaying dioramas and models of PT -76 tanks mounted with cannons capturing Pakistani positions.

The event will also mark the culmination of the year-long journey of the Victory Flame, the Swarnim Vijay Mashal which, having traversed the length and breadth of the country and collected soil samples from the villages of the gallant soldiers of the war, will converge in New Delhi on December 16, 2021 in a grand ceremony.

Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Ajay Bhatt, Chief of the Army Staff General MM Naravane; Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral R Hari Kumar; Defence Secretary Dr Ajay Kumar, Secretary (Ex-Servicemen Welfare) Shri B Anand, Financial Advisor (Defence Services) Shri Sanjiv Mittal; other senior civil and military officials of Ministry of Defence; National Cadet Corps (NCC) cadets and general public were present during the inauguration of the event.

Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh visited the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi on November 22, 2021 on the occasion of Armed Forces Day of Bangladesh, which is celebrated on 21st November every year. The event was organised by the Bangladesh High Commission. High Commissioner of Bangladesh Mr Muhammad Imran, Ambassadors and Heads of Mission, Officers from Armed Forces of Bangladesh and other friendly nations and war veterans were among those present. 

In his address, the Raksha Mantri congratulated the Armed Forces of Bangladesh on behalf of the Indian Armed Forces & Government of India and wished them the very best in their endeavour towards peace and security. “This year is of extraordinary significance for India-Bangladesh relations as we commemorate the Golden Jubilee of the Liberation of Bangladesh, the fifty years India-Bangladesh diplomatic ties and the birth centenary of Banga Bandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. In this momentous time, I salute the valiant struggle of the Muktibahini in the Mutktijudda – War of Liberation – in 1971. Spirit of Mukti judhha forms the core of today’s Armed Forces of Bangladesh,” he said. 

Paying glowing tributes to Banga Bandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Shri Rajnath Singh said, the inspiring leadership of the first President of Bangladesh was the guiding light for the people of the country in their struggle for freedom. Banga Bandhu’s ideals form the foundation of the shinning Bangladesh steadily advancing in its path of development, he added.

The Raksha Mantri also paid rich tributes to brave soldiers of the Indian Armed Forces who stood steadfast with Bangladesh during the War of Liberation of Bangladesh, saying that it marked a golden chapter in the world history in 20th century. He also remembered the extraordinary leadership in India, which rose to the occasion against all odds and limitations in 1971, in support of a nation fighting against the injustice and unspeakable atrocities. He stated that India’s response to the events of 1971 was a reflection of a civilization, more than a mere matter of state policy. “India’s all-out support came naturally out of historical experience and deep emotional, cultural, linguistic and fraternal ties that bind together the people of India and Bangladesh. We are proud that this friendship, founded in the shared sacrifice, has prospered by leaps and bounds,” he added. 

Shri Rajnath Singh described the Bangladesh War of Liberation as an unprecedented event in the 20th century history. “It was a moral fight against injustice, atrocities and oppression. Ordinary people were brutally maimed and murdered. The barbaric atrocities of Operation Searchlight stirred the conscience of the world. However, the atrocities resonated strongest in the hearts and minds of ordinary Indians. Each in India truly felt that his or her own brother and sister were under attack. India herself was in poverty, but there was no hesitation in wholehearted moral and material support to the people of Bangladesh in their fight for liberation.  This was a fight to the end from an oppressive and undemocratic regime, which defied people’s mandate. India gave shelter to millions of refugees even when we did not have enough for our own. A struggling nation gave shoulder to another,” he said. The Raksha Mantri appreciated the gesture of Government of Bangladesh for erecting a memorial for the Indian soldiers at Ashuganj in Bangladesh. 

The Raksha Mantri asserted that the proud and professional Bangladesh Armed Forces of today owe their foundational values to the Liberation War of 1971. He appreciated the fact that today the Armed Forces of Bangladesh are one of the highest contributors to the UN Peace Keeping Forces and are respected globally for their professionalism and commitment to just causes. 

Shri Rajnath Singh called for keeping the spirit of Liberation War alive in the minds of the younger generations, especially those who join the Armed Forces. “It is all the more important, because the forces which brought untold atrocities and miseries on Bangladesh in 1971, and forces against whom we spilt our blood together, are far from finished and gone.  They are lurking around us in different forms and excuses, but indistinguishable from their past in spewing hatred, intolerance and violence. Our tasks are no less formidable than they were in 1971.  Reaching out to new generations with true stories of 1971 is the least we can do,” he said. 

The Raksha Mantri expressed satisfaction that the close defence cooperation between India & Bangladesh, which started during the Liberation War, is continuing apace. “Defence cooperation between the two countries has grown steadily in the last few years by way of several activities – defence dialogue, staff talks, joint training, exercise and high-level exchanges. It is remarkable that all three Service Chiefs of Bangladesh have visited India this year and from India, the Chiefs of Army and Air Force visited Bangladesh this year. India has extended a Line of Credit worth USD 500 million to Bangladesh for defence equipment. We hope that this gesture will spur joint activities not only in acquisition of assets but also in co-development and co-production of defence material,” he added. 

Shri Rajnath Singh added that India is keen to continue working closely with Bangladesh helping and supporting each other’s defence and security concerns. He said, India is deeply sensitive to the security and development concerns of its neighbours and hopes for reciprocal level of sensitivity on the part the neighbours towards the concerns of India. “In this context, it is critical for our Armed Forces to remain engaged with each other for mutual capability enhancement, to respond to contingencies and to realise the shared goals of providing security and prosperity to our people,” he said. 

The Raksha Mantri added that India & Bangladesh strong partners in bringing progress and prosperity for the peoples of South Asia through robust and expanding regional cooperation. “Both are facing challenges which are similar. Today, we are fighting shoulder to shoulder against common challenges such poverty and hunger, surge of terrorism and extremist ideologies and climate change,” he said. 

Shri Rajnath Singh lauded the progress achieved by Bangladesh over the years and said that it currently one of the fastest growing economies in the world. “Various developmental works are taking place across the country. India is privileged to be one of Bangladesh’s major development partners with a total portfolio of close to US $10 billion. The partnership is mutual – as the darkest moments of recent second wave of the pandemic showed – when we received substantial medical help from Bangladesh,” he said. 

Shri Rajnath Singh added that for India, Bangladesh’s success is its own success and in its own interest. “India-Bangladesh bilateral ties have been passing through a ‘shonali adhyay’ – golden phase. While cooperation in traditional areas like security, trade, connectivity and people to people exchanges have steadily deepened, the partnership is expanding to new and emerging areas like nuclear technology, IT, innovation and blue economy,” he said.  The Raksha Mantri congratulated Bangladesh as 6th December, the date on which India recognised independent sovereign Bangladesh, will be commemorated as ‘Maitree Diwas’ in India and Bangladesh as well as in 18 other countries around the world.