KOLKATA: The city has got its own Amar Jawan ahead of the 44th Vijay Diwas celebrations. The eternal flame at Vijay Smarak, next to the main entrance of the Eastern Command headquarters at Fort William, can be seen by people on Wednesday after wreaths are laid in the memory of the soldiers who gave up their lives in the eastern theatre during the Indo-Pak War of 1971 that aided in the birth of Bangladesh.

“We have renovated Vijay Smarak over the last one year. It has three columns to honour the efforts of the Army, Indian Air Force and Indian Navy. We have gone through documents and got the names of all the martyrs from the Eastern Command. Their names are now engraved on the walls at Vijay Smarak. An eternal flame has now been lit at Vijay Smarak. People can see it after the ceremony there on Vijay Divas. The flame will remain lit 24X7 throughout the year. Though Vijay Divas is celebrated across the country, it has special relevance for the Eastern Command as we were closely involved in the operations,” said Maj Gen A S Bedi, MGGS (IW), Eastern Command.

This year, 30 Mukti Joddhas from Bangladesh led by food minister Quamrul Islam will visit Kolkata during the Vijay Divas celebrations. They will be accompanied by six serving officers including a major general and two brigadiers. There will also be officers from the Bangladesh Air Force and Bangladesh Navy. The Eastern Command has also invited Balamdina Ekka, widow of Param Vir Chakra recipient Lance Naik Albert Ekka and their son Vincent to attend the ceremonies. Tthe last time the mother-son duo attended the ceremony in Kolkata was in 2012. Lance Naik Ekka gave up his life gallantly while fighting Pakistani troops in the Hili sector of east Bangladesh (then East Pakistan). A young man from near Ranchi in Jharkhand, he passed away even before the birth of his only child Vincent.

“We shall also have former Army commanders like Lt Gen (retd) HRS Kalkat and others. On Sunday evening, a military band will perform at Prinsep Ghat. This event will be open to all. The guests will start arriving from Monday. On Tuesday, we have planned an interactive session between the Mukti Joddhas and our veterans. They will have so many experiences to share. On Wednesday, after the wreath laying ceremony - to be attended by the Mukti Joddhas and veterans - the guests will attend a horse show at RCTC. The governor will also be present during the function that will include a sky-diving display and polo match,” Maj Gen Bedi said.

While security will be extremely tight during the Vijay Divas celebrations, the Army isn’t too worried with the suspected infiltration into the system by ISI agents. According to Bedi, the force is sensetised to threats and adequate measures are being taken.

