India celebrates Vijay Diwas on December 16 to remember its triumph over Pakistan in the 1971 war that led to the formation of Bangladesh. In Bangladesh, the day is known as 'Bijoy Dibos.'
On this day, Indians pay tribute to our country's valiant soldiers. Vijay Diwas 2021 marks the 50 years of India’s win against Pakistan in 1971.
What happened on December 16, 1971?
On Vijay Diwas, East Pakistan (now known as Bangladesh) gained independence after India's victory.
The war in East Pakistan began on December 3, 1971, and ended 13 days later, on December 16, with the Pakistan army's unconditional surrender.
On this day, Amir Abdullah Khan Niazi, then a Major-General in the Pakistan Army, surrendered to the joint forces of the Indian Army and Bangladesh's Mukti Bahini. Niazi was the Commander of the Pakistan Eastern Command when he surrendered with 93,000 Pakistani forces. He had also signed the 'Instrument of Surrender' at Ramna Race Course in Dacca (now Dhaka, capital of Bangladesh).
Lieutenant General Jagjit Singh Aurora, the then-General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of India's Eastern Command, signed and accepted the 'Instrument of Surrender.'
This was also the largest-ever military surrender after World War II, and the iconic photo of Niazi signing the 'Instrument of Surrender' conveys the storey of the mighty Indian Army's bravery.
Pakistan sustained the most casualties in this war, with around 8,000 slain and 25,000 injured, while India lost 3000 soldiers and 12,000 were injured.
Bangladesh, which had previously been known as East Pakistan, was placed on the world map as a result of the 1971 war. The day is known as 'Bijoy Dibos' in Bangladesh, and it commemorates the country's formal independence from Pakistan.
On this day, India's Defense Minister and the leaders of all three wings of the Indian Armed Forces pay respect to the soldiers at India Gate's Amar Jawan Jyoti.
Vijay Diwas 2021
On the occasion of Swarnim Vijay Diwas, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid respect to the valour and sacrifice of military heroes. PM Modi took to Twitter to recall the Muktijoddhas, Biranganas and Bravehearts of the Indian Armed Forces who made the ultimate sacrifice in defeating oppressive forces.
President Ram Nath Kovind's attendance in Dhaka on the 50th Vijay Diwas, according to PM Modi, is of special significance to every Indian.
"On the 50th Vijay Diwas, I recall the great valour and sacrifice by the Muktijoddhas, Biranganas and bravehearts of the Indian Armed Forces. Together, we fought and defeated oppressive forces. Rashtrapati Ji’s presence in Dhaka is of special significance to every Indian," PM Modi tweeted.