In December 1971, the Indian armed forces secured a decisive and historic victory over the Pakistan Army which led to creation of a new nation—Bangladesh—and also resulted in the largest military surrender after World War II. On 16 December 2020, the nation started the 50th anniversary celebrations of the occasion with an aim to showcase this great victory of the Indian armed forces. Year 2021 is being celebrated as the ‘Swarnim Vijay Varsh’ and nationwide year-long celebrations are being undertaken with effect from December 2020.
The commemorative celebrations commenced at National War Memorial, Delhi on 16 Dec 2020 & will culminate in Dec 2021 with a grand closure. As part of the celebrations, Victory Flames were earlier handed over to the Indian Army by Prime MinisterNarendra Modi on 16 December 2020, which will be carried to all four cardinals of the country.
The Nagpur chapter of the celebrations is being conducted from 20-27 January 2021 at various locations in Nagpur and Kamptee.
After having journeyed for more than a month, and travelled to Gwalior, Bhopal and Itarsi, the ‘Swarnim Vijay Varsh’ Victory Flame arrived at Nagpur on 20 January 2021.As part of its stay in the ‘Orange City’, the Victory Flame Team on 21 Jan 2021 marched from Kamptee to the Headquarters of Uttar Maharashtra & Gujarat Sub Area at Sitabuldi Fort and enroute visited important sites/ locations in the city like the Zero Mile Stone and Vidhaan Sabha.
On their arrival, the team was ceremoniously welcomed by a jubilant human chain of soldiers, standing on either sides of the road. Major General Dinesh Hooda, General Officer Commanding, Uttar Maharashtra & Gujarat Sub Area received the ‘Victory Flame’ from the team leader Capt Anirudh.
The team after being felicitated interacted with the GOC, Officers & Other Ranks, and shared their experiences of the travel undertaken till date. The GOC appreciated the zeal & enthusiasm of the Victory Flame Team and exhorted them to live up to the ideals of the Martyrs and War Heroes of the 1971 war. As part of its tour in the city, the flame proceeded to Air Force Station Sonegaon .The Victory Flame Team further plans to visit the Air Force Maintenance Command and also attend the Republic Day celebrations in the city.
