‘Bangladesh making giant strides in development since independence’

Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh today paid glowing tributes to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, terming him as the guiding light for the people of his country.

He appreciated the fact that Bangladesh has been making giant strides in the path of development since its liberation, reports our New Delhi correspondent.

Rajnath was interacting with Indian war veterans and 30 muktijoddhas of Bangladesh in New Delhi as part of celebrations marking 50 years of India's historic victory in the 1971 war that led to the birth of Bangladesh as an independent country.

The muktijoddhas have been invited to participate in Swarnim Vijay Varsh events to honour brave hearts who took part in the 1971 war.

Terming the 1971 victory as one of the most important events in world history and a triumph of justice over injustice, Rajnath said the war fought against the atrocities on common people showed India's commitment towards humanity.

He remembered the heroes of the Indian Army who ensured a historic victory, namely General (later Field Marshal) Sam Manekshaw, Lt Gen Jagjit Singh Aurora (then General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Command), Lt Gen JFR Jacob and Air Marshal Idris Hassan Latif and others.

"These heroes included Hindus, Muslims, Parsis, Sikhs, and one Jew. This is a proof of India's firm belief towards giving equal respect to all religions," the defence minister said.

On the occasion, the soil collected from different locations of major battles fought during the 1971 war was mixed by the Defence Minister to commemorate the golden jubilee of the victory of the war.

The collected soil will be used in the construction of a proposed memorial dedicated to the 1971 war victory.

Rajnath also released a coffee table book titled "The 1971 War: An Illustrated History" which has been compiled in six chapters and includes some first-hand experiences of the war veterans.

Chief of the Indian Army Gen M M Naravane, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal V R Chaudhari, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral R Hari Kumar, Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar, other senior civil and military officers of Ministry of Defence, families of the veterans, and members of Bangladesh delegation were present on the occasion.