Vijay Divas

Vijay Diwas

Wednesday, 16 December

Why is Vijay Diwas celebrated?

Vijay Diwas (विजय दिवस) is celebrated every 16th December in India, to observe Indian military's victory over Pakistan in Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 for the liberation of Bangladesh from Pakistan. The end of the war also resulted in the unilateral and unconditional surrender of the Pakistan Army and subsequent secession of East Pakistan into Bangladesh. On this day in 1971, the chief of the Pakistani forces, General Amir Abdullah Khan Niazi, along with 93,000 troops, surrendered to the allied forces consists of Indian Army and Mukti Bahini, led by General Jagjit Singh Aurora, of India in the Ramna Race Course after their defeat in the war. On the same day in Bangladesh, Bijoy Dibos (বিজয় দিবস) is celebrated.

How is Vijay DIwas celebrated?

On 16 December every year, Citizens, senior officials, students & war veterans lay wreaths and remember the sacrifices of the soldiers. The anniversary of Vijay Divas is observed across India by paying tributes to the martyrs who laid down their lives for the nation. In the nation's capital New Delhi, the Indian Minister of Defence and heads of all three wings of the Indian armed forces pay homage at Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate in New Delhi, (which was constructed on the behalf of indian victory in 1971 and to commemorate the heroism of the martyred) as well as in the National Military Memorial, Bangalore

Vijay Diwas 2020: PM Modi to light ‘Swarnim Vijay Mashaal’ today

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and defence minister Rajnath Singh will attend the inaugural event of ‘Swarnim Vijay Varsh’ programme on Wednesday, which celebrates 50 years of India’s victory over Pakistan in the 1971 war that led to the creation of Bangladesh. The event will be held at the National War Memorial (NWM). PM Modi will also light the ‘Swarnim Vijay Mashaal’ from the eternal flame of the memorial. Four torches will be lit and carried to the cities and villages of the 1971 war heroes who had received the gallantry awards -- Param Vir Chakra and Maha Vir Chakra. “Soil from the villages of these Awardees and from areas where major battles were fought in 1971 are being brought to the NWM

Vijay Diwas 2020: PM Modi to light ‘Swarnim Vijay Mashaal’ today

The chief of defence staff General Bipin Rawat and the tri-service chiefs will also lay wreaths and pay respect to the soldiers who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty. The Eastern command of the Indian Army will pay homage to the valiant heroes of India and Bangladesh who took part in the Liberation War of 1971.

Clockwise from top left: Martyred Intellectuals Memorial; Bangladesh Forces howitzer; Lt. Gen. Amir Niazi signs the Pakistani Instrument of Surrender to Indian and Bangladeshi forces in the presence of Lt. Gen. Jagjit Singh; the PNS Ghazi.