Vijay diwas.

16 Dec '71 shall always be remembered for the spectacular win by our armed forces over the descredited and demoralised Pakistani armed forces culminating in the birth of a new country - Bangladesh. It was a crowning moment for India and Mrs. Indira Gandhi, the then PM, showed that she was a fine wartime leader. In victory, she showed magnanimity and handed over the 93,000 POWs back to Pakistan and even the areas captured by the Indian Army on its offensive on the western borders. Some people sincerely feel that we shouldn't have given them back till we bargained and got some tangible gains. But I suppose, real statesmanship is when as victor one doesn't humiliate the vanquished!

Years later, in early '98 I'd the honour of being the LO to the chief architect of this fine victory, Field Marshal Sam Maneckshaw when he was on a four day visit to Kochi. For me, every minute spent with him was education that was precious and unforgettable. And in the process, there were nuggets of information that were passed on to me and he endeared himself to me with his ready wit and an easygoing charm.

Sadly, the celebration of the 'Vijay Diwas' today was a muted event restricted more or less to the service cantonments. What does one say about a nation that forgets to remember its Armed Forces once their need gets over?

I salute the indomitable spirit of all those valiant men who'd sacrificed their today for their country's tomorrow and sincerely hope that their near and dear ones have learnt to cope with their irrepairable loss!