GUEST OF HONOUR, INDIA PRESIDENT KOVIND, PAYS TRIBUTE TO SHARED TIES DURING 50TH VICTORY DAY CELEBRATIONS

HUGE crowds paid tribute to Bangladesh’s war heroes last Thursday (16) as the country marked 50 years since its victory in a devastating independence war.

December 16 is celebrated each year as Victory Day for the moment Pakistani soldiers surrendered en masse to Indian and Bangladeshi forces, bringing an end to the nine-month conflict that claimed as many as three million lives.

Veterans who lost their limbs in the war laid wreaths at the National Martyrs’ Memorial, a concrete monument near the capital symbolising the campaign against Pakistani rule, before thousands of solemn observers.

Women across the country wore saris of green and red, matching the national flag, as they watched local concerts where musicians performed the country’s patriotic songs.

Bangladesh has held celebrations throughout the year to mark the golden anniversary of its independence, though some events were called off because of the coronavirus pandemic.

India’s prime minister Narendra Modi was the guest of honour in March to mark the outbreak of the conflict – a recognition of his country’s crucial aid and support at the time. “I recall the great valour and sacrifice by... the Indian Armed Forces,” Modi, who laid a wreath in Delhi to mark the anniversary, tweeted last Thursday. “Together, we fought and defeated oppressive forces.”

India’s president Ram Nath Kovind arrived in Bangladesh last Wednesday (15) on a three-day state visit at the invitation of his counterpart M Abdul Hamid to attend the golden jubilee celebrations of the country.

Addressing the Indian community last Friday (17), he said India was committed to assisting Bangladesh towards a strong economy and also highlighted the “uniquely close” relationship between the two countries based on age-old ties of kinship, shared language and culture.

“Bangladesh has a special place in the hearts of Indians. Ours is a uniquely close relationship based on age-old ties of kinship, shared language and culture,” he said.

“India remains committed to assisting Bangladesh in its journey towards a strong economy, partnering with you as you proceed to greater prosperity,” he said.

The president also paid tribute to the sacrifices by the people of Bangladesh to achieve freedom from tyranny. “We salute your indomitable courage in fighting against the formidable odds, and standing up against injustice,” he said.

“I am confident that the bond forged by blood and sacrifice in 1971 will continue to bind our nations together in future,” he said.

Officially three million people were killed during the nine-month long war. Also on Friday, the president inaugurated the historic Sri Ramna Kali Mandir in Dhaka, 50 years after it was destroyed by the Pakistani forces in 1971.

The temple was destroyed by the Pakistani Army in an operation codenamed ‘Operation Searchlight’ in 1971, targeting the resistance movement in the country.

The temple was set on fire by the Pakistani forces, killing many people, including devotees and those residing in it. India supported the renovation of the temple. Hindus make up some 10 per cent of the Muslimmajority Bangladesh’s 169 million population.