Eastern Command Commemorates Vijay Diwas with Solemn Wreath-Laying Ceremony at Fort William

Kolkata : On the solemn occasion of Vijay Diwas 2024, a moving wreath-laying ceremony was held at Fort William, Kolkata, to honor the valiant heroes who sacrificed their lives for the liberation of Bangladesh during the 1971 war.

The ceremony was graced by a nine-member delegation from Bangladesh and a 15-member delegation from the Indian Armed Forces, along with distinguished veterans and civil dignitaries. Key participants included Maj Gen Rajesh Arun Moghe, VSM, GOC, Bengal Sub Area; Lt Gen RC Srikanth, VSM, COS, HQ Eastern Command; Maj Gen Abdus Salam Chowdhury (Retd) and Brig Gen Md Aminur Rahman from the Bangladesh delegation; Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha, PVSM, AVSM, VM, ADC (Retd); Gen Shankar Roy Chowdhury, PVSM, AVSM (Retd); Lt Gen RC Tiwari, UYSM, AVSM, SM, GOC-in-C, Eastern Command; and Dr. CV Ananda Bose, Hon’ble Governor of West Bengal.

Dr. Bose, while paying tribute, expressed heartfelt gratitude to the martyrs and veterans of both nations, emphasizing their valor and sacrifice that realized the dream of Bangladesh’s liberation. He highlighted India’s historic role as the first nation to recognize Bangladesh on 6th December 1971, fostering enduring bilateral ties.

Brig Gen Md Aminur Rahman acknowledged the sacrifices of Indian soldiers and the unwavering support of the Indian people in Bangladesh’s freedom struggle. The event also resonated with deep emotions as Indian veterans and the Bangladeshi delegation reminisced about the triumph of democracy and freedom over tyranny.

The ceremony underscored the Eastern Command’s pivotal role in the 1971 War, solidifying Vijay Diwas as a revered chapter in its history.