Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, December 16

Tributes were paid to the martyrs of 1971 war between India and Pakistan during a programme organised at the Maharaja Ranjit Singh War Memorial here today.Senior advisor to Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh, Lt General TS Shergil (Retd), was the chief guest. Before this, Shergil also laid a wreath at the memorial of flying officer Nirmaljit Singh Sekhon.Addressing the gathering, Shergil said Indian soldiers fought several battles — first to attain freedom and then to save the country from the external forces. He asserted that Punjabi soldiers had remained in the forefront in all battles.He said the battle of 1971 was prominent because it led to the birth of a new country — Bangladesh — which was earlier known as East Pakistan.He said before the battle, millions of Pakistani soldiers had entered the Indian territory which had then posed a challenge to the Indian Army.He applauded the Punjab Government’s ‘Guardians of governance scheme’, under which the ex-servicemen would help the government in ensuring that welfare schemes reach the poor and the needy on time.On this occasion, widows of war martyrs were honoured. Schools students also presented patriotic songs to pay tributes to the martyrs.Deputy Commissioner Pradeep Kumar Agrawal graced the occasion with his presence.

FUNCTION AT WAR MESEUM AT LUDHIANA

VIJAY DIVAS COMMEMORATION IN LUDHIANA. Wreath laying  at Flt Lt Nirmaljit Singh Sekhon  PVC statue and a get together of about 600 ESM and 200  school students at War Museum. Interesting fact narrated by Lt Gen T S Shergill that all the Div Commanders in LIBERATION of Bangladesh were from Punjab.  4 Inf Div Maj Gen  M S Brar, 9 Inf Div Maj Gen Dalbir  Singh,  20 Mtn Div Maj Gen  Lachman Singh Lehl, GOC 101 Comn Zone Maj Gen Gurbux Singh Gill and later Maj Gen Gandharv Nagra. All under Lt Gen JS Aurora.

Punjabs role in liberation of Bangladesh. FM Sam Maneckshaw. Born in the heart of Punjab, Amritsar, began service with Punjabi troops in Frontier Force Regt and was the architect of strategic planning.