New Delhi: Interim Congress President Sonia Gandhi said on Wednesday that the country should remember its 1971 victory in the India-Pakistan war with the spirit of pride, determination and contemplation, and not out of arrogance, or as self-glory.
She made the remarks while taking part in the concluding ceremony of a programme marking the 50th anniversary of the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War, following which Bangladesh, formerly known as East Pakistan, was freed from Pakistan and came to be known as a sovereign and independent country.”I would like to extend a special note of thanks to all the former members of the armed forces for sharing their experiences and talking about the strategy adopted to achieve the ultimate victory,” she said.The Congress leader said that 50 years ago, “the brave and courageous people of Bangladesh had given themselves a new future”.”India stood by their side in solidarity to help them in various ways. India has not just given hope, but also humanitarian aid to nearly 10 million refugees. It garnered international support,” she said.”Bangladesh raised its voice in regional and global fora. When it was attacked, a highly-successful military operation was launched. The fearless freedom fighters of Bangladesh should be remembered and encouraged.
The finest Indian civil servants and intelligence agencies of that time should be remembered and appreciated. All those who stood with Bangladesh and India in different countries should be remembered and appreciated,” she said.Sonia Gandhi further said that above all, the discipline, dedication, valour and sacrifice of the Indian armed forces “should be remembered and saluted”.”It was this extraordinary convergence of a well-planned and well-executed political, diplomatic and military strategy that earned 1971 war a special place in the history of the subcontinent… a history that also gave a new shape to the geography of the region,” she said.The Congress leader also spoke about the political leaders who oversaw the India-Pakistan war of 1971. Remembering then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi — her mother-in-law — she praised the late leader’s leadership style. AGENCIES