New Delhi

Six stories that depict the mood and complexities of the 1971 war between India and Pakistan and the eventual victory for India in helping people of the then East Pakistan have their country, Bangladesh. Indian Army forced the Pakistani army to surrender in Dhaka and took a record 93,000 Prisoners of War for two years. The day is being celebrated as Vijay Diwas on December 16.

1. 1971: When India helped Bangladesh gain independence

"The House (Lok Sabha) wishes to assure them (people of Bangladesh) that their struggle and sacrifices will receive the wholehearted sympathy and support of the people of India.” This was the concluding remark in the resolution moved by the Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi, in the parliament on 31 March 1971. Read More at; https://www.awazthevoice.in/culture-news/when-india-helped-bangladesh-gain-independence-8139.html

2. Indira Gandhi captained India in her greatest victory to win humanity

“I am not in the habit of begging, I have never begged. I have no intention of begging now.” This was the reply given, on 24 May, 1971, to the Members of Parliament (MPs) who wanted Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to seek intervention of ‘superpowers’ in the refugee crisis caused by the genocide of Bengali population by the Pakistan Army. Read More at: https://www.awazthevoice.in/india-news/indira-gandhi-captained-india-in-her-greatest-victory-to-win-humanity-8156.html

3. Pak admitted genocide, rape, loot in Bangladesh

"The troops used to say that when the Commander was a rapist, how could they be stopped?” This is the remark made by Lt. Col. Aziz Ahmad Khan of Pakistan Army in front of the Hamoodur Rahman Commission, appointed by the Government of Pakistan to look into the reasons behind the defeat of the Pakistan Army at the hands of the Indian Army in 1971. Read More at: https://www.awazthevoice.in/world-news/pak-admitted-genocide-rape-loot-in-bangladesh-7648.html

4. How ‘War Heroines' of Bangladesh were received in society

It is a South Asian society, with a Muslim majority and with an agriculture-based economy. A woman is raped by the invading army. After the war, how would society treat this woman? It is a common belief that she would carry a social stigma for the rest of her life. Society and family may disown her for being raped and punish her for a crime that she didn’t commit. Read More at: https://www.awazthevoice.in/world-news/how-war-heroines-of-bangladesh-were-received-in-society-8072.html

5. Bangladesh genocide: Why Pakistan is not held accountable?

When I visited the International Red Cross (ICRC) Museum in Geneve, Switzerland a few years ago, I was shocked to realize that the 1971 war was being projected as a passing memory of incessant tension between India and Pakistan. The trigger- the genocide of 3 million Bengali-speaking people in what was then East Pakistan – didn’t qualify for the list of manmade tragedies. It’s not even mentioned anywhere in the museum. The only clue to it is an artifact made by a Pakistani prisoner of war in India from the golden wrap of the Charminar cigarette pack displayed there!  Read more at: https://www.awazthevoice.in/opinion-news/my-memories-of-the-war-18218.html

6. Bangladeshi veteran who survived Pak army's bullets recounts his experiences of the 1971 War

Major Gen (retd) Immanul Zaman is looking forward to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Dhaka, for it revives his memories of his days when he, as a Lieutenant in the Pakistan Army had escaped death at the hands of his seniors and ended up fighting alongside the Indian Army to liberate his country. Read more at: https://www.awazthevoice.in/world-news/bangladeshi-veteran-who-survived-pak-army-s-bullets-looks-forward-to-modi-s-visit-1135.html