Face2News/Chandigarh/Chandi Mandir/Jammu 

Western Command is celebrating 51 years of India’s emphatic victory over Pakistan in the 1971 Indo-Pak War. While major operations were focused on the Eastern Front and led to creation of Bangladesh, a number of spirited and valiant battles were also fought on the Western Front on the soil of J&K in which our brave soldiers laid down their lives and achieved glory.

Out of the four Param Vir Chakras bestowed in the 1971 War, two were awarded to our brave hearts operating in the Western Theater which bears ample testimony to this fact. It is axiomatic that the Vijay Diwas celebrations commemorating 51 years of India’s victory in the 1971 Indo-Pak War were executed this year at two iconic locations i.e. the epochal ‘Balidan Stambh’ War Memorial in Jammu and the serene Chandimandir Military Station. Tributes were paid to the gallant soldiers who made supreme sacrifice in the service of the nation in the 1971 War.

As part of the commemoration, on 16 Dec 22, a war memorial service was held at the ‘Balidan Stambh’. Lt Gen Nav K Khanduri, AVSM, VSM, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Western Command laid wreath at the eternal flame of the War Memorial and paid homage to the fallen heroes. Honorary Capt Bana Singh PVC, Lt Col Rishma Sarin, wife of Late Maj Mohit Sharma, Ashok Chakra (P) and other civil and military dignitaries also graced the occasion.

Students from various schools in Jammu performed patriotic songs to lend a nationalistic fervor to the seminal event. The melodious songs were aesthetically interspersed with chants by religious teachers of various faiths. Veer Naris, gallantry awardees and veterans of the 1971 war were also felicitated on the occasion. The General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Western Command expressed his gratitude to the veterans and Veer Naris and assured them of Indian Army’s support in ensuring their welfare.

The commemoration culminated with a cultural evening & light and sound show based on 1971 War Heroes by distinguished artists from Jammu and Punjab region.

A war memorial service was also organised at Chandimandir Military Station where officiating Chief of Staff, Maj Gen GS Kahlon, SM paid tribute by laying a wreath at ‘Veer Smriti’ in order to commemorate the valour of fallen heroes during OP VIJAY in 1971. The occasion marked the culmination of the year-long Swarnim Vijay Varsh which celebrated India’s Victory over Pakistan in 1971 and the creation of Bangladesh.

WESTERN COMMAND ORGANISES EX-SERVICEMEN RALLY ON VIJAY DIWAS AT JAMMU

A Mega Ex-Servicemen rally was organised today at Sunjuwan Cantt under the aegis of Western Command as part of the ongoing Vijay Diwas Celebrations. More than 5000 Ex Servicemen, Veer Naris, Veer Matas & Widows, of which some had even come from far flung areas attended the event with pride, ebullience and enthusiasm.

In order to facilitate Veterans, Veer Naris and other attendees, significant facilities and conveniences like CSD counters, ECHS and Bank Stalls, Record Office counters, SPARSH counters, awareness and skill development stalls by civil agencies were also organised by the Army authorities. A large number of problems were addressed and others were noted down for follow up action with various institutions like Record Offices, Zila Sainik Board and Pension Disbursing Banks. The rally was also attended by Senior Offrs of the civil administration, symbolising the unity and synergy between all govt agencies.

Lieutenant General Nav K Khanduri, AVSM, VSM, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Command graced the occasion as the Chief Guest and recounted the bravery, valour and sacrifices of the officers and men of the Indian Army during the war of 1971. He expressed his gratitude towards the Ex Servicemen for their contributions towards the security and integrity of the nation and also assured them of the whole hearted and unstinting support from the serving fraternity.

The focus of the Rally, which was held in close coordination with the Zila Sainik Board and State Administration, was to address the grievances, resolve pension anomalies and ameliorate day to day problems/ predicaments of the Veterans. All army units of the region collaborated to organise the event in a befitting manner.

In order to facilitate Veterans, Veer Naris and other attendees, significant facilities and conveniences like CSD counters, ECHS and Bank Stalls, Record Office counters, SPARSH counters, awareness and skill development stalls by civil agencies were also organised by the Army authorities. A large number of problems were addressed and others were noted down for follow up action with various institutions like Record Offices, Zila Sainik Board and Pension Disbursing Banks. The rally was also attended by Senior Offrs of the civil administration, symbolising the unity and synergy between all govt agencies.

The Army Commander reassured the Veterans that the welfare and well being of the Ex Servicemen remains the prime and foremost concern of the serving fraternity. He also highlighted the large number of proactive measures that are being undertaken by the Govt and the Army for their betterment. The Veterans, Widows, Veer Naris, Veer Matas and their kin were enthused by the conduct of the rally and expressed their sincere gratitude for the efforts being under taken by the organisation to reach out to them.