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CULMINATION OF SWARNIM VIJAY VARSH 2021
The year 2021 marks the 50thanniversary of the Indian victory over Pakistan in the 1971 War. To commemorate this victory, Hon’ble Prime Minister lit the Swarnim Vijay Mashal from the eternal flame at the National War Memorial in December 2020 as a prelude to the commencement of the yearlong celebrations of the Swarnim Vijay Varsh.
Four such victory flames were subsequently carried to various parts of India, including the villages of the ‘Param Vir Chakra’ and the ‘Mahaveer Chakra’ awardees of the 1971 War. Throughout this past year, a number of events and programme were organised across the country to honour the gallant soldiers of the Indian Armed Forces.
Swarnim Vijay Gatha was organized to mark the culmination of celebrations of Swarnim Vijay Varsh on 16 December 2021. The event began with a solemn homage to Chief of Defence Staff, General Bipin Rawat, PVSM, UYSM, SM, VSM, Mrs Madhulika Rawat and all officers and men of the Armed Forces who lost their lives in the tragic accident on 8 December 2021.
The Swarnim Vijay Gatha showcased a variety of events, and the opening act was the symphonic military band of Eastern Command, which performed patriotic and martial tunes with three military and two Jazz bands featuring 76 musicians participating in the concert.A customized light and sound show on the walls of Victoria Memorial depicting the story of the War of Liberation of Bangladesh mesmerized the audiences. Legendary Gulzaar Sahab recited a poem titled “Mere Fauzi”, which he has penned especially for the occasion. Celebrating the pride of Indian Armed Forces, musical spectacle speaking of friendship, togetherness, artistic bonding was performed, which included a singing tribute to soldiers by Sonu Nigam and a soul full rendition of the song “A mere Watan ke Logon” by Kavita Krishnamurti accompanied by Dr L Subramaniam which moved everyone. A Musical tribute segment was presented by folk musicians. The concert was directed and musically designed by Sourendro-Soumyojitfeaturing Papon, Somlata, Ujjaini, Durnibar, Lagnajita Saikat & Brinda.
During the occasion, the Eastern Command history book ‘Warriors of the East’ was released by Lt Gen Manoj Kumar Pande, AVSM, VSM, Army Commander, Eastern Command along with the son of Lance Naik Albert Ekka, Pram Vir Chakra (Posthumous), Maj Gen DP Singh, VrC (Retd), Lt Gen Pravin Bakshi, PVSM, AVSM, VSM, ADC (Retd) and Lt Gen KK Repswal, SM, VSM, Chief of Staff, HQ Eastern Command. The event was graced by war veterans, senior military commanders, and other eminent personalities including of the State and Civil Administration.
Issued by
GS (IW) Branch,Eastern Command
