The ‘Swarnim Vijay Varsh’ victory flame, commemorating the 50th anniversary of India’s victory over Pakistan in the 1971 war, arrived Dimapur Rangapahar Military Station of the Spear Corps on Saturday.
The victory flame was received with full military honours and fanfare by Mrs. Manju Eliyas wife of 1971 War Shaurya Chakra awardee late Lt Col Cyril Jonathan Eliyas, chief guest of the event, and senior officers of the 3 (Spear) Corps led by chief of staff Major General R.S. Guraya.
On the occasion, the chief guest and a senior officer also planted a tree.
Addressing the gathering, Maj. Gen. Guraya reminded that the Sawrnim Vijay Varsh is the celebration of the 50th year of victory of humanity over oppression, that has no parallel in history of modern times.
“Spear corps takes pride in apprising today’s august gathering that the Spear Corps played a significant role in the 1971 War, that shaped the geo-polity of this region and declared to the world, the velour of Indian Armed Forces. We have among us the Veer naris and our respected War Veterans, who by their blood, grit and sacrifice have made it possible,” Maj. Gen. Guraya stated.
Therefore, in order to commemorate the victory in the 1971 operations, he said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the four Swarnim Vijay Varsh Mashals on December 16, 2020 from the National War Memorial, which was now travelling in the four cardinal directions.
The government of India had made a conscious effort to celebrate it in such a manner that present generation is made more aware of the glorious history, he added.
Her also paid tributes to the veer naris and war veterans gathered on the occasion and also the civil dignitaries for being part of this momentous event.
“I exhort my fellow countrymen to come out in large number to pay respect to the flame in its journey ahead,” he said.
Upon arrival from Jorhat, the Victory Flame last mile run was held from Eden Hospital till the Bhagat Stadium in Rangapahar Military Station. War veterans and veer naris were also honoured during the event.
Various activities will be held in Dimapur till October 10 and the Victory Flame would depart for Kohima on October 11 morning.