Indian war veterans to celebrate Victory Day in Dhaka

Bangladesh and India will celebrate the Victory Day in Dhaka and Kolkata through exchanges of delegations comprising freedom fighters from Bangladesh and Indian war veterans.

A delegation of 30 freedom fighters and six serving officers along with their spouses and companions will leave Dhaka for Kolkata tomorrow to participate in the Vijay Dibas celebrations at the invitation of the Indian government.

Led by Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan, the delegation has three sitting MPs, serving justice of the Supreme Court, retired officers from Bangladesh Armed Forces, diplomats, senior bureaucrats and prominent personalities from the civil society.

They will join the Vijay Dibas functions at Fort Williams and also get an opportunity to interact with Indian veterans of Bangladesh's War of Liberation, according to Indian High Commission in Dhaka.

The delegation will also visit Shanti Niketan and return to Dhaka on December 18.

Simultaneously, 28 Indian war veterans and four serving officers accompanied by spouses and companions will arrive in Dhaka tomorrow on a five-day visit at the invitation of the government of Bangladesh.

The veterans will participate in the Victory Day functions and will also meet Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the Service Chiefs and Principal Staff Officer, Armed Forces Division.

They will also get an opportunity to interact with freedom fighters during separate receptions being hosted by the Liberation War Affairs Ministry, War Course Foundation of Bangladesh and the Dhaka Club.

The Indian delegation will be led by Lt Gen (retd)G S Sihota, a veteran of 1965 and 1971 wars.

Air Commodore Chandra Mohan Singla, a young Flight Lieutenant of Indian Air Force in 1971, will get an opportunity to reminisce his exploits with his counterparts from nascent Bangladesh Air Force, Air Vice Marshall Sultan Mahmood, Group Captain Shamshul Alam, Squadron Leader Badrual Alam and Captain Shahabuddin.

The reciprocal visits by Muktijodhas and war veterans on the Victory Day started in 2005 and more than 280 freedom fighters from Bangladesh and 125 Indian veterans have joined the celebrations in Dhaka and Kolkata.

Such engagements bring together the veterans who had fought shoulders to shoulders during the War of Liberation of Bangladesh.

As they relive their experiences and share their stories they bring to life the spirit with which the peoples of both countries had supported each other during the difficult times.

They share the eternal bond of camaraderie having shed blood together while fighting a common enemy.