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Bangladesh, India 1971 veterans to meet again


Bangladeshpost
Published : 15 Dec 2019 08:34 PM | Updated : 05 Sep 2020 06:54 AM

Nurul Islam Hasib

The veterans of Liberation War of 1971 will once again get together in Dhaka and Kolkata to celebrate the Victory and their eternal bonds of camaraderie. The reciprocal visits by freedom fighters from Bangladesh and War Veterans from India on Victory day started in 2005 and more than 400 from Bangladesh and 175 from India have joined the celebrations in Kolkata and Dhaka respectively.

This year, the Indian High Commission said, a delegation of 30 freedom fighters and six serving Bangladesh Armed Forces officers, along with their companions will participate in the Bijay Dibas celebrations in Kolkata from December 14 to December 18 on an invitation from the Indian government.

MP Shajahan Khan, Chairman of the Standing Committee of Ministry of Liberation War Affairs is leading the Bangladesh side. The delegation will participate in a large number of ceremonial functions with receptions being held in their honour. The delegation will also get an opportunity to interact with Indian veterans of the War during their visit.

They will be visiting Jorashanko Thakurbari, the ancestral house of Rabindranath Tagore and other historical places. Simultaneously, at the invitation of Bangladesh government, 27 Indian War veterans and four serving officers, accompanied by their companions arrived in Dhaka on Sunday to participate in the Victory Day celebrations.

During their stay they will attend various ceremonial events and have an opportunity to interact with the President, Prime Minister, the Chiefs of Army, Navy and Air Force and Principal Staff Officer, and Armed Forces Division. They will also meet freedom fighters at separate receptions being hosted by the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs, War Course Foundation of Bangladesh and the High Commission of India.

The delegation will also pay homage to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at the Bangabandhu Memorial museum, Dhanmondhi. The delegation will visit some battle sites of Liberation war as well. Lieutenant General Rajendra Singh Kadyan (Retired) is the senior most officer of the Indian delegation. He participated in the 1971 Liberation War of Bangladesh.