Dear friends,
Good morning.
Here is little effort to share what I had seen & experienced on day two in Dhaka or Dacca, Bangladesh as Yours representative !
Today, 16 Dec a very Important Day for Bangladesh & also Indian Armed Forces since 1971 when a New Country ” Bangladesh came into being as reality by the efforts of India, and very ably supported by the entire population of then East Pakistan to get rid of oppressive regime of West Pakistan .
Indeed it was a busy, hectic & very engaging but never the less a very very memorable day.
Got up at 3.45am, got ready by 4.45am & assembled in Hotel Lobby & proceeded to War Memorial at 5am, reached at 6am, wreath laying Ceremony by President and Prime minister by 6.35 then met people. A very large presence of Army Navy & Air Force officers at the very very impressive War Memorial. Unfortunately did not carry Cameras & Mobile as it was the written in instructions but saw many carrying amongst us, so felt little dumb for not taken picture of impressive structure. Wish India too can learn from Bangladesh as to how A War Memorial should be ! Beautifully maintained over a very very large stretch & soothing environment. One felt proud to part of An Indian Veteran Delegation who were, in their small way, instrument in liberation of Bangladesh !
We started back journey at 7am, reached our Hotel Radisson at 8.30am since could not travel as fast on Road due to local traffic, though our military Convoy was escorted by Military & Civil Police. Road to War Memorial was lined up by enthusiastic civil population even as early !
Had Breakfast & got ready for Victory Day Parade in Hotel Lobby by 9.20am.
We reached the Parade Ground by 10am. It has all the vintage aircrafts of India laid out for the people to see in a park as a permanent feature. All Parade Columns came on Parade at 10.15,
Prime Minister arrived at 10.20 followed by President at 10.25. There after the Salute to President & March past by smart Army Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Para and a Special Column by Mukti Jodhas of 1971& many many more Columns.
There was a Motor Cycle, a special dog Squad, a horse Squad too. There were fair number of smart, impressive women representation in military Columns.
This was followed by all Military Equipment incl Tanks, Armed Personnel Carrier(APCs), Guns, Rocket Launchers, Air defence Guns, Missiles, Ground to Ground Missiles, signal, Bridging Equipment & replica if Naval & Air Force Equipment.
There after came the very innovative, impressive Tabloids, show casing the Industrial, Health Services, Railways Navy Education, Rural infrastructure & multifarious progress of Bangladesh as a Country as such. Whole thing was very impressive.
This was followed by Fly past by all kind of Helicopter & Aircrafts. The most impressive was the Combat show by Fighter Mig 21 variants,
Mig 29 was most impressive with its ground skimming, thundering flying & all kinds of Rolls & Vertical flying Skill. Was to be seen to be believed. The Pilots were as good, if not better as any outstanding professional Fighter Pilots of India in their flying Skills!
It got over by 12.30 or so. Returned to Hotel for Lunch & ready to move at 2.20 for Reception by The President of Bangladesh where every person was present who mattered in country & who could reach the venue in a very large sprawling large Ground in President Estate.
Indian Veterans were treated every where with a very very Special & utmost care & affection. Every who is who person who mattered, showed keenness to meet us to show their gratitude & affection incl civil population in very very large number. Every one wanted to shake Hand & get a snap Clicked with us incl President, Prime Minister, all Service Chiefs & other dignitaries. It was quite an emotional time to see how Indian Armed Forces are held in their esteem by the People of Bangladesh. They all wished to convey in so many words as to what Indian Armed Forces has achieved for them. The fact also remains that if local population & committed Mukti Jidhas were not with Indian Armed Forces in 1971in the War of Bangladesh Liberation, the story may have been different!
We returned to Hotel by 6.45pm, got ready & proceeded to Golf Institute for Dinner being hosted by the Minister of Liberation at 7.45pm.
Again the Minister & all top Military brass present, were very affectionate with all of us. Minister spoke very eloquently about the Contribution if India & Indian Armed Forces. Thanked profusely for the contribution then & even today. They had laid out a very elaborate dinner. Which got over with Gp photograph & we returned to Hotel around 11pm, to be ready for next day events, which are; visit to Army, Navy & Air Headquarters & ladies for shopping to lessen the pocket load !
Over all it was an excellent day to cherish for time to come.
Thought will share with all of you what I have seen & experienced in nutshell.
More to follow. With best wishes from Dacca.
COL BHADUR SINGH
