Vijay Diwas 2023: Date, Theme, History And Significance

Vijay Diwas is celebrated in the country every year on 16 December. On this occasion, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has paid tribute to the heroes of India's victory over Pakistan in the 1971 war. This year, the 53rd Vijay Diwas is being celebrated across the country.

Theme of Vijay Diwas 2023:

• No official announcement has been made yet about the theme of Vijay Diwas this year 2023.

History of Vijay Diwas:

• Vijay Diwas is celebrated to commemorate the victory of the Indian Armed Forces in 'Operation: Vijay' against infiltrating Pakistani troops.
• Pakistani troops attacked 11 Indian airfields on December 3, 1971, which was declared a war. At that time, late Indira Gandhi was the Prime Minister of India.
• This war between the two countries ended in just 13 days, which is considered one of the shortest wars in history.
• As a result of this war, Bangladesh became an independent nation from Pakistan as a separate country. 

Importance of Vijay Diwas:

• On Vijay Diwas 2023, the Government of India organises various events across the country.
• “Southern Star Vijay Run 2023”, organised by Headquarters Southern Command, is being celebrated to commemorate the 53rd Vijay Diwas.
• Flagged off by Army Commander Lieutenant General AK Singh, the race will be extended to 19 locations across 10 states on December 16.
• Promoting the theme “Run for the Soldiers, Run with the Soldiers”, the event is expected to be attended by around 50,000 participants, including 100 war veterans.
• “Southern Star Vijay Run 2023” is a race organised in honour of the wounded soldiers and bravehearts of the Indian Armed Forces. This event is being organised mainly to commemorate the soldiers who made supreme sacrifice in the 1971 war.
• The event symbolises the joint solidarity of soldiers and civilians towards the martyrs of the 1971 operation.
• Every year, 16 December is celebrated as Vijay Diwas (Bijoy Dibosh) by the Indian Armed Forces and Bangladesh.

Background of India-Pakistan war of 1971:

• After independence in 1947, Pakistan was divided into two separate territories, East and West Pakistan. A major problem among these was the lack of geographical contact between the two areas.
• The cultural conflict between these two regions and the negligence of the administration of East Pakistan were also a major challenge.
• In the mid-1960s, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman began to oppose Western Pakistani policies actively. Which was brutally acted upon by the Pakistani Army. Bang Bandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman is known as the Father of the Nation of Bangladesh.
• On May 15, 1971, India began assisting Mukti Bahini fighters engaged in a guerrilla war against the Pakistan Army. In which Operation Jackpot was started for reasons related to recruitment, training, supply and advice of fighters.
• India decided to go to war with Pakistan on 3 December 1971 to save Bengali Muslims and Hindus in East Pakistan. The war was finally won by India on 16 December 1971 in just 13 days. To commemorate this, Vijay Diwas is celebrated every year on 16 December.