Published By: Nibandh Vinod
Last Updated: December 16, 2023, 06:00 IST
Vijay Diwas, December sixteenth, 1971 conflict, India, Bangladesh, Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, (Image: @adgpi/X, previously Twitter)
December 16 is greater than a date, it is Vijay Diwas! Here’s a take a look at its story, grasp its which means, and be impressed by Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw’s phrases. A day of victory, historical past, and heroes!
Vijay Diwas, celebrated on December 16 yearly, commemorates the victory of the Indian armed forces over Pakistan throughout the 1971 conflict. On today, India pays homage to all the troopers who laid their lives to defend their nation.
On December 16, 1971, India received the conflict in opposition to Pakistan after a 13-day battle, which resulted in the creation of Bangladesh from erstwhile East Pakistan.
Accompanied by 93,000 Pakistani troopers, General Amir Abdullah Khan Niazi, the head of Pakistan’s armed forces, surrendered to the mixed forces of the Indian Army and the Mukti Bahini of Bangladesh. This was additionally the biggest-ever navy give up after World War II.
In Bangladesh, December 16 is well known as Bijoy Dibos or Victory Day.
On July 26, India additionally marks the Kargil Vijay Diwas to commemorate its victory over Pakistan in the 1999 Kargil War.
Who was Sam Manekshaw?
Sam Manekshaw was the Chief of the Army Staff throughout the 1971 Indo-Pakistani conflict. He was the first Indian Army officer to be promoted to the rank of subject marshal. He is usually thought to be the architect of India’s victory throughout the 1971 conflict.
Recently, a movie, named Sam Bahadur, primarily based on the life of Manekshaw, was launched in theatres. Actor Vicky Kaushal performed Manekshaw on the silver display.
5 Inspirational Quotes by Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw
- “If a man says he is not afraid of dying, he is either lying or he is a Gurkha.”
- “Give me a man or a woman with common sense and who is not an idiot and I assure you can make a leader out of him or her.”
- “A ‘Yes man’ is a dangerous man. He is a menace. He will go very far. He can become a minister, a secretary or a Field Marshall but he can never become a leader nor, ever be respected.”
- “You should have to fight, a fight to win. There is no roof for losers, if you lose don’t come back.”
- (*5*)
History of Vijay Diwas
The 1971 conflict was triggered by a rise up in East Pakistan in opposition to the then-Pakistani authorities. After the Awami League, led by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, registered a thumping victory in the 1970 elections, the Pakistani navy was accused of committing atrocities on Bengali-speaking individuals in the area.
Following the elections, the Pakistani navy used pressure to affect the outcomes. Indira Gandhi, the then Prime Minister of India, intervened and determined to present refuge to individuals who fled East Pakistan.
While Gandhi tried to hunt worldwide intervention on the matter, the state of affairs escalated as Pakistan launched air strikes on 11 Indian airbases on December 3, 1971.
In retaliation, Gandhi ordered Army Chief General Sam Manekshaw to launch a full-scale conflict in opposition to Pakistan. The 13-day conflict resulted in the start of Bangladesh. In August 1972, India and Pakistan signed the Shimla settlement as half of which India launched 93,000 prisoners of conflict.
Significance
December 16 holds nice significance in the historical past of trendy India. It serves as a reminder of how India emerged as a celebrated nation throughout the conflict in opposition to Pakistan in 1971. On today, India honours the bravery and energy of its armed forces. The 1971 conflict can also be stated to have altered the relationship between the US and the South Asian area.
