Srinagar: Indian Army celebrated 50 years of its victory in the 1971 Indo-Pak war as “Swarnim Vijay Varsha” at Shamshabari Ridge at an altitude of 13,800 feet on the mountainous range of Kashmir borders on Monday, it was reported on Tuesday.
A Defence spokesman Col. Emron Musavi said the celebration began with the lighting of the Swarnim Vijay Mashaal by GOC, Vajr Division by Maj Gen Abhijit S. Pendharkar, and the senior most veteran Mohammad Ashraf from the BSF of the area.
In the series of commemorative events being organized by the Indian Army pan-India to celebrate 50 years of the historic victory in the 1971 Indo Pak war, the indomitable Pharkian Infantry Brigade organized a one of its kind event on December 13, 2021.
The Brigade, deployed at an altitude ranging from 6000 to 13,800 feet, organized Swarnim Vijay Varsha celebration along Shamshabari Ridge, making it one of the highest venues in the Kashmir Valley commemorating this glorious event. The event also witnessed honoring of the students of Jan Shiksha Sansthan which has been conducting vocational training in 308 districts across India.
A never before event organised was “The Virtual Connect” between the veterans of 1971 Indo-Pak war, their wards serving in the Pharkian Brigade and the GOC 28 Infantry Division.
It was an emotional moment when the veterans narrated their experiences of the 1971 war which reflected valor and courage motivating the audience, while for their sons it was a proud lifetime event.
The dignitaries and the serving wards of the veterans signed the celebration board as a memorabilia. The event culminated with the Ex Servicemen extending gratitude for the celebration that also had the Swarnim Vijay Congratulatory message of Late Gen Bipin Rawat played for the soldiers.
Maj Gen Abhijit S. Pendharkar, GOC, Vajr Division, Brig Tapas Kumar Misra, Commander, Pharkian Brigade and Mr Iqbal, Director of JSS were amongst the several senior officials who attended this grand event.
This event in Pharkian Gali was a unique one as it was the first to felicitate the serving wards of the 1971 war veterans recognising their yeomen service and that of their predecessors. The event was attended by 24 Ex Servicemen from Army, Police and CAPF, a true reflection of the bonhomie amongst the security forces.
