Jaisalmer (Rajasthan), December 7: In a solemn tribute to the courage and sacrifice of the Indian Army during the 1971 India-Pakistan war, the National Flag was unfurled on a towering 108-foot mast at Laungewala Yudh Sthal in Rajasthan on Saturday.
This significant gesture was made possible through the collaborative efforts of the Indian Army and the Flag Foundation of India.
According to the Indian Army, the flag-hoisting symbolizes national pride and honors the unwavering spirit of the Indian armed forces. The unfurling ceremony commemorates the remarkable valor displayed by soldiers during the 1971 war.
The war culminated on December 16, 1971, when Pakistan formally signed the instrument of surrender in Dhaka, marking the end of the 13-day conflict. This momentous event led to the surrender of over 93,000 Pakistani soldiers and the complete capitulation of the Pakistan Army to Indian forces. The victory was not only a military triumph but also established India as a formidable regional power.
The war also had far-reaching political implications, leading to the creation of Bangladesh and shattering Pakistan’s two-nation theory, which proposed that Muslims of the subcontinent formed a separate nation. The psychological and strategic defeat of Pakistan had long-lasting effects, the echoes of which are still felt today.
India’s victory in the 1971 war is regarded as a historic milestone, and December 16 is observed as "Vijay Diwas" across the country to celebrate the nation's triumph over Pakistan. The 1971 war saw the sacrifice of around 3,900 Indian soldiers, with 9,851 more wounded in action.
