SWARNIM VIJAY VARSH
"This nation will remain the land of the free only so long
as it is the home of the brave." – Elmer Davis
"There is nothing nobler than risking your life for your
country." – Nick Lampson
SWARNIM VIJAY MASHAL
India celebrates December 16
as Vijay Diwas to commemorate its victory over Pakistan during the 1971 war
that led to the creation of Bangladesh.
The year 2021 is being
celebrated as Swarnim Vijay Varsh. Prime
Minister Narendra Modi on 16 Dec 2020 lit the ‘Swarnim Vijay Mashaal’ from the
eternal flame of the National War Memorial Delhi, marking the beginning of the
50th anniversary year celebrations of India’s victory over Pakistan in 1971.
Mr. Modi was joined by Defence
Minister Rajnath Singh, the Chief of Defence Staff and tri-service chiefs as he
laid wreath and paid homage to the soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice for
the country.
Four victory mashals (flaming
torches) are being carried to various parts of India, in the four cardinal
directions (NEWS), to the villages of Chakra awardees (PVC,MVC and VrC) of the
1971 war. Soil from the villages of these awardees and from areas where major
battles were fought in 1971 are being brought to the National War Memorial
(NWM). The nation is celebrating ‘Swarnim Vijay Varsh’ (Golden victory year)
through several events across the country, and it will continue for the entire
year.
Various commemorative events are
being conducted pan-India wherein war veterans are being felicitated. Band
displays, seminars, exhibitions, equipment displays, film festivals, conclaves
and adventure activities are also also being held.
VIJAY MASHAL
VIJAY MASHAL ARRIVES MUMBAI
GATEWAY OF INDIA
As part of the celebrations,
the Vijay Jyoti, during its journey across the length and breadth of the
country, arrived at Gateway of India, Mumbai on 01 Sep 21. It was brought to
the venue by personnel of the 15 Punjab Regiment and received by the Honourable
Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Shri Uddhav Thackeray, in the presence of senior
officers from three services, veterans of the 1971 war and other dignitaries.
The following War Veterans were felicitated by the Chief Minister, amidst an
impressive flypast by the IAF :
a) Adm L Ramdas, PVSM, AVSM,
VrC, VSM
b) Adm VS Shekhawat, PVSM,
AVSM, VrC
c) LtGen FT Dias, PVSM, AVSM,
VrC
d) Wg Cdr DC Nayyar, VrC
e) Nk DR Bansode, VrC
NAVAL
DOCKYARD
On 02 Sep 21, the Victory Flame
travelled to Naval Dockyard and was received by Vice Admiral R Hari Kumar,
PVSM, AVSM, VSM, ADC, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command, at
the Gaurav Stambh Memorial in a solemn ceremony @1055 hrs. The
Commander-in-Chief paid homage to the bravehearts who laid down their lives
during the war by laying a wreath at the Stambh. A ceremonial guard was also
paraded to mark the occasion.
On completion of this ceremony, the
Victory Flame was taken to the 22nd
Missile Vessel Squadron, the Killer Squadron, that inherited the legacy
of courage and bravery from the boats that
played a pivotal role in the 1971 war. It was Missile Boats of the
Killer Squadron that caused havoc in Karachi in Dec 1971 and deservedly
won the epithet ‘Killers’. The Navy Day
each year is celebrated on 04 Dec to commemorate the heroic acts of these
‘First Strike’ elements of the Indian Navy that live by the singular aim and
purpose of ‘Hit First, Hit Hard’. The event was attended by some esteemed
veterans of the Killer Squadron that had participated in Operation Trident and Operation
Python during the war.
In an impressive ceremony, Vice Adm R Hari Kumar, PVSM, AVSM, VSM, ADC felicitated Senior Veterans Cmde IJ Sharma, AVSM, VrC ; VAdm SCS Bangara, PVSM, AVSM and Cmde PK Puri. Some veterans spoke during the event and shared their glorious experiences of bravery. The event concluded with Rear Adm Atul Anand, Flag Officer Commanding Maharashtra Naval Area (FOMA), delivering the vote of thanks and reiterating the Killer Squadron's commitment to remain ever ready to sail into harm’s way and strike fear in the enemy when called upon to do so, in line with the rich legacy the Squadron has inherited from its revered forebears. After the impressive ceremony the guests were escorted for delectable Lunch in the FMU building.
VIJAY
MASHAL VISITS ANCHORAGE JUHU
Anchorage building Juhu is a home to quite
a few senior War Veterans. The Victory flame visited the location @11am on 04
Sep. An impressive ceremony was organised at the Anchorage premises by Cmde
Sanjay Sachdeva, NOIC(Mah), where the NOIC received the Flame from the Marshals
and handed it over to the Chakra Awardees. It was a Proud and emotional moment
for all present. Veterans paid their homage to their dear colleagues who
rendered their supreme sacrifice and could not return from the War. The
following gallantry War Veterans were felicitated
a) Cmde IJ Sharma, AVSM, VrC.
b) Cdr Ashok Kumar, VrC.
NOIC presented Cmde IJ Sharma and Cdr
Ashok Kumar with Mementos after which the two daring War Veterans recounted the personal encounters of the War.
Cmde IJ Sharma presented Soil from his house in a Kalash to NOIC to be taken to
the National War Memorial in Delhi. After the ceremony a tea party had been
organised for the guests.
Cdr Vijay Vadhera, President NFMC had been
invited and had the privilege of attending all the three events.
ONWARD JOURNEY
After visit of the Victory Flame to Houses
of other Chakra gallantry War Veterans, escorted by the Mashaal Marshals, the Victory Flame
shall begin its onward journey to Goa on 09 Sep to be with the Armed forces
personnel, the War Veterans and citizens of the Goa.
Sam No Varunah
Jai Hind.
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