Udhampur,18 Sep: Indian Army is celebrating 2021 as Swarnim Vijay Varsh commemorating 50 years of India’s historic victory in Indo-Pak War 1971 as a year long festival from December 2020 to December 2021. To commemorate this occasion, four victory flames were lit up from the eternal flame of the National War Memorial by the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in a solemn ceremony at New Delhi on 16 Dec 2020. The four victory flames commenced their journey a year back through the four cardinal directions travelling across the length and breadth of this great country as a symbol of success and ode to the gallant victory of the Indian Armed Forces in the historic 1971 Indo-Pak War. The aim of the journey is to spread the message of victory and sacrifices of our war heroes to the remotest areas and shores of the country. In its Himachal Pradesh journey, the victory flame passed through Palchan, Pandoh, Mandi, Joginder Nagar, Palampur, Dharamshala, Yol and arrived at Dalhousie Military Station on 17 Sep 2021. The reception of the Swarnim Vijay Mashaal was organised at Balun Gate, Dalhousie on 18 Sep 2021 in a grand ceremony with full military honours, decrom and fervour.
The Swarnim Vijay Varsh Celebrations at Dalhousie Military Station commenced on 15 Sep 21. Inter School Painting, Debate and Quiz competitions for school children and NCC cadets from various schools of Dalhousie were conducted on 15 Sep, 16 Sep and 17 Sep respectively by the Army authorities at Balun auditorium with the theme ‘Swarnim Vijay Varsh’. Children from the local schools showed great zeal and enthusiasm and participated in these competitions in large numbers. The prize winners were felicitated on 18 Sep 21.
To honour the valour and sacrifice of Indian Armed Forces in 1971 Indo-Pak War and to rejoice the historic victory of India, an impressive main event to mark the occasion was organised for reception of the victory flame with military grandeur and traditional fervour at Balun ground, Dalhousie on 18 Sep 2021. The victory flame was received by the local formation and 1971 War Veterans. A solemn wreath laying ceremony was organised at the Balun War Memorial, Dalhousie to pay homage and respect to the martyrs of 1971 war. To ring in the festivities, the event also witnessed a series of cultural programmes filling the atmosphere with a sense of celebration, patriotism and pride. Army pipe band display, weapon and equipment display was also organised for the gathered audience. The event was attended by serving Army and Air Force personnel and their families, Ex-Servicemen and their families, War Veterans and Veer Naris. As a gesture of respect and gratitude, 1971 War Veterans and Veer Naris were felicitated and honoured during the conduct of the event.
A host of prominent public Civil Dignitaries, Government Officials of HP government and Senior Police Officers also graced the occasion. Mrs Asha Kumari, MLA Dalhousie, Mr Duni Chand Rana, DC Chamba and Mr S Arul Kumar, SSP Chamba attended the celebrations. Post reception of the victory flame and conclusion of the festivities at Dalhousie Military Station on 18 Sep 2021, the victory flame will travel further to Bakloh, Mamun Pathankot, Kandrori and Unchi Bassi from 20 September to 04 October 2021. Thereafter, the victory flame will commence its onward journey to New Delhi, where all four victory flames after travelling from various parts of the country will converge at New Delhi on 16 Dec 2021 for the conduct of the main ‘Swarnim Vijay Varsh’ event.