General Upendra Dwivedi, the Chief of Army Staff of Indian Army along with Sunita Dwivedi installed the ‘Iconic 1971 Surrender painting’ at the Manekshaw Centre In New Delhi on Monday.
The iconic artwork portrays the surrender of the Pakistani soldiers to Indian Army on December 16, 1971 in Dhaka. This marks the liberation of Bangladesh. This is the part of Vijay Diwas celebration.
On December 16, 1971 Pakistan signed the instrument of surrender in Dhaka. This happened after 13-days of India-Pakistan war. After this 93,000 Pakistani soldiers surrendered.
Indian Army posted on their X handle stating that, “Vijay Diwas marks the Decisive Victory of the Indian Armed Forces over Pakistan in the 1971 War, a triumph that reshaped India’s military history and gave birth to a new nation; Bangladesh, while ending Pakistan’s relentless oppression and brutality on a people. In just 13 days, the Indian Armed Forces showcased strategic brilliance, extraordinary bravery and unwavering resolve, leading to the comprehensive routing and one of the largest military surrenders of all times of over 93,000 Pakistani soldiers. The date serves as a testament to India’s commitment to its friends, and a resolute reminder to its enemies.”
#VijayDiwas marks the Decisive Victory of the Indian Armed Forces over Pakistan in the 1971 War, a triumph that reshaped India's military history and gave birth to a new nation; #Bangladesh, while ending Pakistan's relentless oppression and brutality on a people.
In just 13… pic.twitter.com/OAvanj8EPD
— ADG PI – INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) December 16, 2024
They also mentioned that, “On the occasion of #VijayDiwas, #GeneralUpendraDwivedi #COAS, along with the President #AWWA, Mrs. Sunita Dwivedi, installed the iconic 1971 surrender painting in its most befitting place, The Manekshaw Centre, named after the architect and the hero of the 1971 War, Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw.”
On the occasion of #VijayDiwas, #GeneralUpendraDwivedi #COAS, along with the President #AWWA, Mrs Sunita Dwivedi, installed the iconic 1971 surrender painting to its most befitting place, The Manekshaw Centre, named after the Architect and the Hero of 1971… pic.twitter.com/t9MfGXzwmH
— ADG PI – INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) December 16, 2024
Senior serving officers of the Indian Army and veterans were present on this occasion. As per the Indian Army, the installation at the Manekshaw Centre, named after the Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, will benefit a large audience due to substantial footfall of diverse audiences and dignitaries from India and abroad at this venue.
Notably, the painting was earlier installed in the Army Headquarters, New Delhi. Earlier in the day, Congress MP Manickam Tagore moved an adjournment motion notice in the Lok Sabha on Monday to discuss the removal of a 1971 war photograph from Army Headquarters, New Delhi, and its implications. In his notice to Speaker Om Birla, Manickam Tagore said that the removal of the photograph, which commemorates the historic surrender of Pakistani forces in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on December 16, 1971, is not only troubling but is a direct affront to the historical memory of this monumental event.
He urged the central government to “immediately” restore the photograph to its original position. For India, the 1971 victory is a historic milestone, and December 16 is commemorated nationwide as “Vijay Diwas” to honour India’s triumph over Pakistan. According to reports, 3,900 Indian soldiers are believed to have died and 9,851 were injured during the war of 1971.
