Liberation of Bangladesh: 1971 Recollection and Reflection

INTRODUCTION

The Centre for Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS) organised a seminar on ‘Liberation of Bangladesh: 1971 Recollection and Reflection’ at the IDSA Auditorium, New Delhi on 10 December 2014. Veterans who had participated in the war as well as noted experts gathered to go down the memory lane narrating the events that led to the creation of Bangladesh and India’s greatest military victory. The seminar was held as a  tribute to the martyrs of India and Bangladesh and was well attended by serving officers, veterans, and members of the strategic community as well as students from the reputed schools of the NCR and the members of the media.

OVERVIEW OF THE SEMINAR

The seminar was conducted in sessions as under: -

1.         Inaugural Session. This included an Inaugural address by Lt Gen Philip Campose, AVSM**, VSM, ADC, VCOAS, Chairman Board of Governors CLAWS, followed by the Book Release function of the Book titled ‘Liberation, Bangladesh 1971 – First Hand Untold Action Stories from the War Zone’ and the recounting of the experiences of the War in 1971 by the Chief Guest, Hon’ble Governor of Arunachal Pradesh Lt Gen Nirbhay Sharma, PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, VSM. (Retd), Guest of Honour, Lt Gen JFR Jacob, PVSM (Retd) and Special Guest, Gen Deepak Kapoor, PVSM, AVSM, VSM (Retd), former COAS.

2.         Special Address. There was a Special Address by H.E Mr Syed Muazzem Ali, High Commissioner of Bangladesh in India.

3.         Special Session. This session was conducted post tea and was chaired by Brig KP Singh Deo, AVSM, VSM, Former Rajya Raksha Mantri. This session was focused at ‘Recounting the Action’ in which the brave hearts both from India and Bangladesh, who had participated in the Liberation War of Bangladesh, recounted their actual experiences of the war zone.