Kolkata: A 20-member Bangladeshi delegation — including eight Muktijoddhas, two serving army officers, and their spouses — will arrive in Kolkata next week to participate in this year's Vijay Diwas observance. Like last year, the events will be held on a relatively subdued scale against a tense backdrop.
The Indian Army formally kicked off the commemorations on Sunday, with Eastern Command Chief of Staff Major General V Raghu inaugurating the events at Vijay Durg, formerly known as Fort William. Vijay Diwas marks the Indian Army's victory over Pakistan in the 1971 war that led to the creation of Bangladesh — a moment the Army commemorates each year with military tributes and veterans' outreach.
Army officials said this year's observance will include several ceremonial and cultural programmes, for which Bangladeshi freedom fighters have been invited as special guests. The delegation — comprising a brigadier-rank officer, another serving officer, the eight Muktijoddhas, and their family members — is scheduled to reach Kolkata from Dhaka on Dec 14.
On Dec 15, the visitors will attend the Eastern Command's ‘Military Tattoo' at the Mangal Pandey Military Training Area and are also likely to meet the Governor at Lok Bhavan. The central ceremony will take place on Dec 16 at the Vijay Smarak, where the delegation will pay homage to martyrs.
Ahead of the main events, the Army also organised a commemorative motorcycle rally in Kolkata to honour the 1971 victory. The final 25-km stretch was led by Eastern Command GOC-in-C Lieutenant General Ramchandra Tiwari, with the riders concluding their journey at the Vijay Smarak next to Vijay Durg.