Prime Minister Narendra Modi will participate in the Homage and Reception Ceremony of Swarnim Vijay Mashaal at the National War Memorial on Thursday, 16 December. The celebration is to commemorate 50 years of the victory over Pakistan during the 1971 war that led to the creation of Bangladesh. It was on 16 December 1971 that the Pakistan Army surrendered to the Indian Army in Dhaka.
The statement from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said that last year, the PM lit the Swarnim Vijay Mashaal from the eternal flame at the National War Memorial. He had also lit four flames that directed towards different directions, across the length and breadth of the country, including Siachen, Kanyakumari, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Longewala, Rann of Kutch and Agartala. The statement also added that the flames were taken to the key battle areas and the houses of the gallantry award winners and the veterans of the 1971 war. Meanwhile, President Ram Nath Kovind is visiting Dhaka, Bangladesh, to participate in the special celebration of Mujib Shato Borsho and the 50th anniversary of the independence of Bangladesh.
During a virtual press conference, Bangladesh Foreign Minister, Dr A.K. Abdul Momen, highlighted that the issues of bilateral ties would be reviewed during his visit. President Kovind will be the special guest at Bangladesh’s 50th Victory Day celebrations in Dhaka.