Vijay Diwas 2020: 49 Years Later, Know All About 1971 Indo-Pak War And The Birth of Bangladesh

On the 49th anniversary on Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will on Wednesday light up Swarnim Vijay Mashaal' from the eternal flame of the National War Memorial.

New Delhi: Today, December 16, is observed every year as Vijay Diwas, to commemorate India’s victory in the gruesome Indo-Pak war of 1971 that led to the formation of Bangladesh. On the 49th anniversary on Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday morning lit up ‘Swarnim Vijay Mashaal’ from the eternal flame of the National War Memorial in Delhi.

Four victory mashaals (flaming torches) will be lit from the eternal flame and they will be carried to various parts of India, including to the villages of Param Vir Chakra and Maha Vir Chakra awardees of the 1971 war, the defence ministry had said in a statement.

Four 'Victory Mashaals' (flames) lit from the Eternal Flame of National War Memorial will be carried to various parts of the country including to villages of Param Vir Chakra and Maha Vir Chakra awardees of 1971 war#VijayDiwas2020 https://t.co/sB4CaNVVP0 pic.twitter.com/VDeuSG7XZI

— ANI (@ANI) December 16, 2020

The 1971 war lasted for nearly 13 days and ended on December 16 when Pakistan Army General Amir Abdullah Khan Niazi, with his troop of 93,000 soldiers, surrendered before the Indian Army and Mukti-Bahini leading to the separation of East Pakistan into the creation of a new state called Bangladesh.

All India Radio has a special program scheduled at 9:15 PM today on FM Gold for listeners who wish to a little more about the day’s significance. The radio programme will also be available on ‘News on AIR Official’ YouTube channel.

Meanwhile, this year, India and Bangladesh have decided to resume trans-border railway connectivity between Haldibari in West Bengal and Chilahati located across the border in Nilphamari district after almost 55 years.

The move is aimed to boost not only India-Bangladesh ties but will also open up connectivity for New Delhi with the north-eastern part and other bordering countries while reducing emerging vulnerabilities, especially at a time when an aggressive China is making steady inroads in the region through its much-hyped Belt and Road Initiative.

India is also looking at fast-tracking the Bangladesh-Bhutan-India Nepal (BBIN) initiative which will further boost connectivity among the South Asian neighbours through rail and road.