The ‘Swarnim Vijay Maashal’ or the ‘Victory Flame’, which commemorates the Golden Jubilee celebration of India’s victory over Pakistan in the 1971 War, reached the state capital in Kohima on Monday, days after it reached the state.
The victory flame, which was flagged off from the National War Memorial in New Delhi on December 16 last year, reached Nagaland on October 9 at the Rangapahar Military Station in Dimapur.
It is a day of pride and joy for us to have this opportunity to welcome and receive the Swarnim Vijay Maashal at the Kohima garrison, Inspector General of Assam Rifles (IGAR) North, Major general VPS Kaushik said during a short ceremony in Kohima.
The victory flame made it to the state after covering Meghalaya, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. He informed that the Swarnim Vijay victory flame will leave for Manipur after 3-4 stay at Kohima.
“This flame has travelled through every town and village across our great nations whose brave sons fought in the historic 1971 war. It is, therefore, a hallmark of valour, sacrifice and fortitude of our brave soldiers,” he said.
Chairman of the Ceasefire Monitoring Group (CFMG) Lt Gen AS Bedi (Rtd), Nagaland DGP John Longkumer, IGP (Int) Martin Pienyü, at least seven war veterans from Kohima laid wreaths and paid floral tributes after the IGAR (N) received the flame and placed it on the war memorial. The 1971 war veterans were also felicitated during a formal ceremony.
