The premises of Victoria Memorial was awash with the tunes of Martial Music on the occasion of 51st Vijay Diwas. The occasion celebrates India’s friendship with Bangladesh as well as the victory of Indian Armed Forces and Mukti Joddhas over Pakistan Army leading to the Liberation of Bangladesh. The chief guest for the occasion was Dr CV Ananda Bose, Governor of West Bengal. The event was attended by Mukti Joddhas, veterans from the 71 war, military and civil dignitaries. The sixty one member Bangladesh delegation including 29 Mukti Jodhas with family members, Lt Col Quazi Sajjad Ali Zahir, the delegation of senior and six serving officers of Bangladesh Army led by Maj Gen Mahbubur Rashid were also present.
The military bands comprising of Brass, Pipe and Jazz played an array of popular and famous patriotic and martial tunes to enthrall the spectators. Apart from the martial music the Band Display had a fair sprinkling of patriotic, hindi and bengali numbers which added variety to the function. This was followed by a light and sound show which converted the façade of Victoria Memorial into a canvas with a half and hour presentation on the Liberation War. The show gave out the circumstances that forced the people of Bangladesh to demand for their independence. The victory of Indian Armed Forces and Mukti Joddhas in the 1971 war was depicted with photographs and videos on the majestic walls of Victoria Memorial.
Next to enthrall the audience was the specially curated Cultural Programme which was a breath taking soiree with stunning stagecraft & music customised specially for the historic day. The show featured guest artists from both the countries including the legendry Runa Laila from Bangladesh, Udit Narayan, Alka Yagnik, Sourendra & Soumyajit, Guru Rewben, Kalpana Patwari, Tetseo Sisters, Iman Chakraborty, Malini Banerjee, Saikat & Avik, Shwapnil Shojib & Samiul Islam Polick from Bangladesh. The artists were accompanied by live choir and different dancers/dance forms from 7 sister states North East and Bengal.
The evening left everyone feeling nostalgic with the finely tuned and delightful performances. It will definitely be an evening etched forever in the memory of the attendees.
Source: Army Authorities
Report- Pratyusha Mukherjee
