Indian and Bangladeshi troops exchanged greetings on the occasion of 53rd Victory Day at Agartala Integrated Check Post (ICP) on Monday. | Photo Credit: ANI
The 53rd Victory Day was celebrated on Monday at Fort William, headquarters of the Eastern Command in Kolkata. A nine-member delegation from Bangladesh was present in the program. This despite growing tensions in relations with Bangladesh.
The Bangladesh delegation had eight members Salvation and a serving Brigadier General Mohammad Aminur Rahman of the Bangladesh Army. The General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Eastern Command, Lieutenant General Ram Chandra Tiwari, was the most senior Indian Army officer.
Members of the Bangladesh delegation recounted their memories of Bangladesh’s liberation struggle in 1971 and the role of the Indian Army and its leadership.
Major General (retd) Abdus Salam Chaudhary was 17 years old when he started fighting the freedom struggle. Salvation in Sylhet. “I had the ambition and the weapons to fight the war,” he said.
India ‘stands by us’
The Salvation “Indira Gandhi stood by us, how India stood by us.”
“They gave all kinds of support, training, food, everything. This is how our relationship was established, and continues to be. That is why we come every year on Victory Day. Personally, I visit India at least once a year for various reasons. We have friends, relatives, doctors to visit. Thus, our relationship is unique,” he said.
Lt Col (retd) Qazi Sajjad Ali Zahir said the political situation emerging in Bangladesh is temporary. “We have to wait and see how it improves. Anything that helps people improve will be appreciated,” the 73-year-old said Salvation said
Indian side war veterans like Wing Commander (retd) DJ Clare also recalled their days fighting in the Bangladesh Liberation War. Mr. Clare highlighted how he fought the war alongside his father, Major General HS Clare, who was the first Indian Army officer to enter Pakistan General Niazi’s office after the Pakistani army surrendered in Dhaka.
Inhuman cruelty
Born in 1947, Colonel (retired) Suresh Kumar Sharma said, ‘I have not forgotten a single day of the war. Hindu. “We went there as saviors. We went there to fight the inhumane brutality Bangladeshis were facing at the hands of the Pakistani army. We have seen what they are doing to the local people,” he said. The Bangladesh Liberation War veteran added that the ongoing socio-political situation in Bangladesh “disappoints and saddens him”.
Victory Day celebrations were marked by the laying of wreaths at Fort William’s war memorial, salutes by veterans and serving officers and military tattoos. Speculation about Bangladeshi participation came amid rising tensions between the two countries this year.
West Bengal Governor CV Anand Bose, describing the role played by the Indian Armed Forces, said that not only for India, but for the entire democratic world, this day symbolizes the liberation of people from oppression. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee I will never forget the role played by India and West Bengal in Bangladesh’s freedom movement.
published – December 17, 2024 at 04:16 pm IST