Bangladesh to honour 1971 martyrs in ’18

Kolkata:

Bangladesh

has announced that the next of kin of 1,654 Indian military personnel martyred in the 1971 Indo-Pak War that led to the liberation of Bangladesh will be honoured in 2018.

Bangladesh had earlier announced the honour for 1,661 Indian martyrs (Army: 1,624, Air Force: 11, Navy: 6 and BSF: 20). Of them, families of seven were already honoured this year. The families receive a letter of appreciation and gratitude signed by the president and prime minister of Bangladesh and a silver memento. Bangladesh had originally planned to present gift cheques as well, but this proposal was turned down by the families.

A delegation of Mukti Joddhas, their families and serving military officers from Bangladesh, headed by Mosharraf Hossain, minister for public works, reached Kolkata on Wednesday to participate in Vijay Diwas celebrations to mark India’s victory in 1971. Hossain is accompanied by three other MPs. On Thursday, they will attend a band concert to be organized exclusively for them by the Army’s Eastern Command at Prinsep Ghat as well as a military tattoo at the RCTC.

Meanwhile, the Bangladesh deputy high commission in Kolkata will organize the annual Bangladesh Vijay Utsav at its diplomatic complex from December 15-19.

“The Vijay Utsav will be inaugurated by AKM Mozammel Haque, minister of liberation war affairs. Ministers Obaidul Kader and Meher Afroz Chumki will also attend. Two former army officers, who participated in the 1971 War, will also be present,” Bangladesh deputy high commissioner Toufique Hasan said.

Copter Show: The Army will organize a military tattoo comprising a show by horses and helicopters and special drills by paratroopers at the Royal Calcutta Turf Club (RCTC) on Thursday from 2pm as part of Vijay Diwas celebrations. The show is open to all.


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