Bhubaneswar: The Swarnim Vijay Mashaal (Victory Torch) that is being carried to all states to mark the 50th anniversary of India’s victory over Pakistan in 1971 war will pass through Odisha from October 20.
The Central government had announced to observe 2021 as ‘Swarnim Vijay Varsh’ to commemorate the anniversary of India’s victory in the war. Prime Minister Narendra Modi lighted four Swarnim Vijay Mashaal from the ‘Amar Jawan Jyoti’ at National War Memorial in New Delhi on December 16, 2020 to mark the beginning of the year-long celebration.
The four Victory Torches were sent to all the states in four directions of the country. It aims at spreading the message of India’s victory and sacrifices made by the armed forces.
The Swarnim Vijay Mashaal intended for southern states will go through Odisha from October 20 to November 7.
It may be noted that the war had led to the birth of Bangladesh after liberating then East Pakistan from genocide of West Pakistan.
The war saw complete Indian dominance over Pakistan in all three forms of warfare in air, sea and ground. While the Indian Army inflicted heavy damages to Pakistani forces on the ground, Karachi port suffered heavy losses in a surprise attack by Indian Navy and Indian Air Force destroyed about 75 Pakistani aircraft at Murid base.
